Is Alcohol Detox Possible By Yourself?
Alcoholism is the most prevalent substance abuse disorder throughout the entire United States. A recent study showed that nearly one out of every eight American adults currently suffers from a diagnosable alcohol use disorder. Despite the high rates of alcoholism throughout the country, very few men and women seek the professional care they need to overcome their alcohol abuse disorders long-term.
This is often because they remain unaware of the extensive resources that are readily available to them – in the majority of cases, however, it is because these men and women believe that they can recover on their own. It is important to understand that alcoholism is a chronic and relapsing brain disease, one that progressively gets worse, and less professional treatment is sought.
Stages of Treatment for Alcoholism
Even if you have not yet advanced to the chronic stages of alcoholism, professional intervention is necessary. While inpatient alcohol rehab is essential, medical detox is always a necessary first step. The symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal are harshly unpleasant and can be life-threatening when not effectively treated in a medically monitored detox facility. If you have been suffering from any alcohol-related disorder, you should not attempt to detox in an at-home setting.
Attempting Alcohol Withdrawal at Home
Below are several of the many reasons why it is extremely dangerous to attempt to detox from alcohol at home, and why, if you have been suffering at the hands of an alcohol abuse disorder of any severity, you should immediately admit yourself into a medically monitored detox program.
- The discomfort associated with even the most minor alcohol withdrawal often leads individuals back to drinking before the detox process has come to a close.
- If left untreated by a team of medical professionals including prescribing physicians, the symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal can become life-threatening. Some individuals experience symptoms like seizures, stroke, and coma. Other health-related issues like severe spikes and blood pressure, anxiety and panic attacks, and increased heart rate can also result in serious complications if they happen to be experienced in an at-home setting.
- Detoxing is never a quick fix. Medical detox must always be followed up by a continuing curriculum of clinical care. The medical detox staff will help you develop a plan of action, ensuring that you do not experience a relapse into drinking as soon as you complete detox.
- Most individuals who experience alcoholism first begin drinking as a result of underlying issues and untreated mental health concerns. Not only does medical detox provide physical stabilization, but medical detox facilities like Agape Treatment Center offer psychological intervention, which is crucial to comprehensive recovery.
- When it comes to alcohol withdrawal, medication is often necessary. Our team of prescribing physicians and clinical experts works to prescribe effective medications that are safe to use and will not result in any unnecessary health concerns. In cases of severe alcohol withdrawal, utilizing benzodiazepines is often necessary. And more mild or moderate cases of alcohol withdrawal, we tend to utilize safe, over-the-counter medications, antipsychotic medications, and sleep aids.
Alcoholism Rehab at Agape Treatment Center
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms generally take hold within 6 to 12 hours of the last drink. If you have been abusing alcohol for an extended period, there is a very good chance that you will experience symptoms of withdrawal as soon as you stop drinking. For this reason, you must develop plans for intake into a medical detox program before you quit cold turkey. For more information on our alcohol detox program or to learn more about the dangers involved in attempting to detox on your own, feel free to reach out to Agape Treatment Center today.
