What is Alcohol Detox?

Alcohol detox is the first crucial stage in beginning your alcohol rehab journey. As you go through alcohol detox, your body will begin to remove the damaging toxins of alcohol from your body as it slowly starts to regain normal functioning levels. During your alcohol detox, you will feel symptoms and side effects that are a direct result of your body learning to restore itself to normal functioning levels. These are referred to as withdrawal symptoms. Extended periods of alcohol use can create a physical dependency on alcohol where your body becomes reliant on alcohol use to function through the day-to-day life functions such as getting out of bed, maintaining physical strength, and mental health functioning. 

An effective alcohol detox program will involve various levels of treatment including therapeutic counseling, medication treatment, and medical supervision to maintain your symptoms at a healthy, stable level. Our team is highly trained in providing patients with a detox setting that keeps them safe and comfortable. Detox is not always an easy process but with the added support from our compassionate staff, you will get through this process with our staff by your side every step of the way. 

Alcohol Detox and Withdrawal Symptoms

Often when patients are preparing to come into alcohol detox there are concerns expressed about how their withdrawal symptoms will present in their detox process. While there are some symptoms that are typical for alcohol withdrawal, your specific symptoms will be reflected in your specific relationship with alcohol. Factors such as length of time you have been drinking, the quantity and frequency of your drinking habits. That is why your detox program will be individualized to meet your specific needs and levels of dependency on alcohol 

Common withdrawal symptoms of alcohol are:

• Shakiness/Tremors 
• Headaches 
• Nausea 
• Excessive sweating 
• Insomnia 
• Hallucinations- visual or audio  
• Delusions 
• Elevated heart rate/ increased blood pressure 
• Anxiety 
• Depression
• Vomiting 
• Heart failure 
• Seizures 

Medications Used in Alcohol Detox

Alcohol is a highly addictive substance that produces severe, and sometimes, life-threatening symptoms. Addiction can create physiological dependency and if alcohol use is abruptly discontinued, it can put you at risk as your body tries to function on its own without alcohol in its system. Through a medically supervised detox program, our team of nurses and physicians can prescribe medications to ease the body’s ability to relearn how to function without the consumption of alcohol. Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed to patients going through alcohol detox as it helps to lower levels of anxiety and can subside symptoms such as seizures. Benzos that are often used in alcohol detox are Ativan, Librium, and Valium. These medications provide patients with support in calming nervousness and unpleasant feelings. 

The Importance of Detoxing in a Medical Setting

Patients will commonly ask us if they should begin to detox on their own. Due to the high risk of potentially life-threatening symptoms, we highly recommend our patients enter into a medically supervised detox program. Our nurses and physicians are trained to help mitigate patients’ symptoms and maintain the severity of the withdrawal symptoms to a tolerable, safe level. Emotional support is provided on top of medical interventions. Starting your journey to recovery is a big step that will bring up a mix of emotions. With the added support of counselors, you will gain an understanding of your underlying causes for addiction and identify and work towards your ideal life in sobriety. 

Alcohol Detox at The Healing Place

Residents of Fort Lauderdale turn to The Healing Place for their alcohol detox program because of the top-tier approach to treatment that is provided. We value our patients’ spiritual beliefs and work to integrate spiritual teachings and growth in their healing plans. Our staff empowers patients every day to find their intrinsic worth through methods of holistic, religious-based therapy methods. We believe in the importance of dropping the label of an alcoholic and helping you see your capabilities and possibilities for your future through our comprehensive treatment methodologies.  If you want to find out how our staff can support you in taking the first step into recovery through alcohol detox, contact our compassionate staff today.