The Importance of Medical Supervision for Alcohol Detox

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This article was contributed by Wish Recovery in Los Angeles.

Alcohol detox is a process that should never be taken lightly. While the symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol can be relatively mild for some people, they can be serious and even life-threatening for others. For this reason, it is critical that alcohol detox is carried out under strict medical supervision.

This article was contributed by Wish Recovery in Los Angeles. Alcohol detox is a process that should never be taken lightly. While the symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol can be relatively mild for some people, they can be serious and even life-threatening for others. For this reason, it is critical

What is Medically-Supervised Detox?

The most effective way to conquer alcohol addiction is to stop drinking alcohol. But that’s easier said than done when somebody is in the grips of long-term addiction; plus, this approach can bring with it serious mental and physical symptoms and ultimately relapse. A medically-supervised detox, on the other hand, is designed to give the body time to adjust to functioning without alcohol and to help the patient to get on the right path to recovery.

Typical alcohol withdrawal symptoms can include:

  • Anxiety
  • Fatigue
  • Confusion
  • Headaches
  • Heart Palpitations
  • High blood pressure
  • Mood swings
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Sweating
  • Shaking and tremors

Alcohol withdrawal can potentially be made safer and less painful if administered and monitored by a medical team experienced in the full range of withdrawal effects and symptoms.

Alcohol Detox at a Rehab Facility

Because some alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous, patients may choose to enter the detox process under medical supervision at a rehab center. When a patient undergoes alcohol detox with professional help, they may be more likely to achieve long term recovery and turn their lives around. Detox is not a pleasant experience but when overseen by a professional medical team, the patient may have a higher chance of weathering the storm and getting to the point where they can begin therapy in an alcohol addiction treatment program.

The Alcohol Detox Timeline - What to Expect

When a patient has a high dependency on alcohol, they will typically start to exhibit withdrawal symptoms within 6 hours of stopping drinking. These symptoms will be at their most intense after two to three days and the entire withdrawal cycle usually lasts for approximately one week.

Symptoms experienced during the first 12 hours of withdrawal include sweating, mood swings, and nausea. This is all to be expected; the body is calling out for its next drink and creating chemical and physical imbalances when that drink doesn’t arrive. Blood pressure may also start to rise and the heart rate will increase. Insomnia and tremors may also start at this time. Within 24 to 48 hours, symptoms will get progressively worse. In severe cases, the patient will experience seizures and hallucinations. It is of the utmost importance that a medical team is on hand during this time to ensure the patient experiences as little pain and stress as possible.

The good news is that after four to five days, the physical symptoms of withdrawal will start to subside. However, the psychological symptoms often continue to persist. These symptoms can range from anxiety and stress to insomnia and irritability for months.

Get Help for Alcohol Addiction Today

There is hope for a better tomorrow. At Wish Recovery, we offer drug and alcohol detox in Los Angeles that offers patients the best chance of long-term recovery. We understand how hard it is to turn your back on alcohol and break your addiction once and for all.

If you or somebody you know is ready to seek help and start a new life without depending on alcohol, our dedicated treatment team is ready to assist. We offer alcohol detox in a luxury setting and ongoing treatment and therapies tailored to your exact needs. Call 844-222-8808 or fill out our contact form.

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