Alcohol detoxification
Alcohol detox involves stopping the alcohol intake abruptly. This process requires both pharmacological and psychological care. If alcohol poisoning is involved, a detox program needs to cover also post-alcoholic detoxification. The term “alcohol detox” might be misleading: alcohol detox is intended for chronic alcohol abusers who will undergo withdrawal symptoms when alcohol intake is halted. As such, “alcohol detox” does not imply removing only alcohol from your body, but instead it includes also replenishing electrolytes, supplying vitamin B and symptomatic treatment of withdrawal symptoms.
When alcohol detox is needed
Alcohol detox is recommended in chronic cases in which the patient is unable to overcome their addiction on their own or basic alcohol abstinence is insufficient in order for the patient to begin psychotherapy. Effective alcohol detoxification allows to break the drinking cycle. A detox itself will not stop the addiction, but offers a chance for an immediate improvement of your health and well-being. In addition to that, a detox is oftentimes the necessary step to begin longlasting addiction treatment.
Alcohol detox vs. withdrawal syndrome — associated symptoms
Alcohol detox and withdrawal syndrome are two terms related to addiction treatment.
Alcohol detox and withdrawal syndrome are characterised by:
- panic attacks or anxiety,
- insomnia,
- irritability,
- tremors (in particular, limb tremors),
- muscle pain,
- vegetative dysregulation, in particular related to digestion and blood circulation, i.e. nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac arrhythmia, blood pressure fluctuations and intense sweating.
Additional associated symptoms may include neurological disorders, balance or depth perception disorders, vision disorders, spatial or temporal disorientation, consciousness disorders or de-personalisation (personality disturbance).
The withdrawal syndrome is most often caused by “biochemical cravings” related to an abrupt change at a metabolic level. On a psychological level, these symptoms are mostly characterised by extreme discomfort, irrational fears, panic attacks or violent outbursts which lead to an immediate substance craving.
Stationary (in-house) alcohol rehab
The alcohol detox is a difficult time to a person that has chosen to battle their addiction. That is particularly the case when chronic substance abuse is involved which makes achieving abstinence on your own impossible. We offer, therefore, a stationary (in-house) detox in comfortable surroundings. Our alcohol detox program lasts between 3 to 5 days only and it consists of the following three stages:
- the medical stage during which your body is cleansed of alcohol
- the stage of gentle transition to abstinence
- the counselling stage that helps you decide about your future
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