ALCOHOL DETOXIFICATION -THE INITIAL STEP

The first and most critical purpose of alcohol treatment or removal of the harmful physical and emotional effects of alcohol usage is to complete the process of alcohol detoxification safely and with as few painful and dangerous withdrawal symptoms as possible. The effect is to eliminate the substances upon which the individual was reliant in order to provide them with a better opportunity to become free of the binding chains of addiction.
The is a very high element of danger that can occur during the process of alcohol detoxification. When those individuals who are significantly dependent upon alcohol and especially if they have been overusing alcohol for a long time span, a dramatic, unmonitored cessation of the consumption of alcoholic beverages can result in significant, even dangerous side effects during the alcohol withdrawal process. These side effects can be serious enough to cause death in some instances. For this reason, alcohol detoxification should never be attempted alone or without the knowledge, approval and care of a medical or health care professional who is experienced in the care of patients during withdrawal.

There is no question but that there are dangers to the patient during detoxification as well as to society in general. For those people who are near the individual that is in the process of alcohol detoxification there is an element of danger due to the fact that some addicts fall prey to very significant physical and physiological imbalances during the course of the detoxification. In most instances, the physical threat from a person in the process of alcohol detoxification is more likely to occur when the patient is being treated in a non residential detoxification center rather than a center where the patient is treated on an inpatient status.

Another fairly common occurrence which happens when a patient is being treated by way of non residential alcohol detoxification is that the person is not as carefully monitored as they would be during residential alcohol detoxification programs and may make the decision to use alcohol or illicit drugs in order to self medicate. A common side effect of alcohol detoxification which is not so severe, but significant in treatment nevertheless is the effect it has on blood pressure. It is common to see an attitude of overwhelming lethargy as well as lowered blood pressure
Alcohol detoxification can ordinarily require in the range of three days to five days to be finished. The length of time will depend on the quantity and frequency of the alcohol consumption as well as on the particular method of detoxification which is being utilized for the patient.

When the process of alcohol detoxification is undergone with the help and monitoring of professional medical care and supervision, the patient will ordinarily be given medications in order to lessen or eliminate the physical discomfort of the withdrawal symptoms and to assist in the challenge to avoid any long-lasting or permanent side effects which have been known to occur during the alcohol detoxification process. Several of these ongoing side effects which have been documented in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal are noted as delirium tremors which are also known as the DTs, seizures or convulsions, nausea and vomiting, violent headaches, continuous tremors or shakes, and sleeplessness or insomnia.

Unfortunately, there is only a small minority of individuals who are addicted to alcohol who will recognize their need to enter into alcohol detoxification and who will voluntarily attempt to proceed with treatment for their addiction. Almost all addicts are of the opinion that they still are able to control their intake of the alcohol. They have not yet actually allowed themselves to think that they may have to completely abstain from alcohol for the rest of their lifetime. Many addicts even go through the entire detoxification process just in order to convince themselves as well as family and friends that they don't need alcohol and would be able to stop using or abusing alcohol if they so desired. This attitude means that the cessation of alcohol usage won't last very long. For this reason, it is critical for alcohol detoxification programs to take into consideration the reasoning behind the individual's stated desire to begin detoxification.

Alcohol addiction has an impact on both the individual who is abusing the substance, and on the friends and family of the person. Although the ultimate decision to proceed with alcohol detoxification and subse quent treatment for alcohol abuse is up to the individual personally, it is fairly often a strong recommendation by those surrounding the person who is addicted. These loved ones care immensely about the health, safety and well-being of the addicted person. In many treatment programs, the family plays an integral part in the rehabilitation process, but usually not until after the actual detoxification portion is completed so that the individual is free from the influence of any type of alcoholic beverage.

At all stages of the alcohol detoxification process, the person will require as much moral support as possible from friends and family in order to see to it that they remain motivated during the actual withdrawal process as well as during the depression which often occurs during detoxification and during the subsequent periods.

Family counseling is often done following detoxification or during and after the balance of the rehabilitation process since there is usually a great deal of healing which needs to occur. The entire family is usually impacted by the alcohol abuse of the individual and by healing together as a family it is more likely that the family will be competent to support and encourage the person after the completion of the detoxification.

It is essential for the staff of the detoxification center to begin incorporation of the family in the course of treatment as early in the process as feasible and to give them information and strategies for coping, both prior to and during the time of the detoxification process. In this way, they can begin the healing process themselves in order to provide a solid base for further counseling as a family.