Alcohol detox
Written by:
Medically Reviewed by:
Last Updated:
December 18th, 2024
Alcohol, a central nervous system depressant, can result in physical dependence when consumed heavily and over a prolonged period. To address this, the first stage of treatment is alcohol detox.
The primary goal of is to assist individuals in attaining sobriety while effectively managing alcohol withdrawal symptoms. On this page, we will explain what to expect out of alcohol detox and its importance.
Whether you are seeking an alcohol detox for yourself or a loved one, Oasis Bradford is here to help.
What Is a medical detox for alcohol?
A medical alcohol detox is where your body rids itself of the toxins ingested throughout your alcohol abuse under the supervision of trained medical professionals. We can implement a proven alcohol detox plan, treat any withdrawal symptoms and intervene if there are complications. They also help you deal with cravings and prescribe medication if necessary.
Inpatient medical detox, often considered the highest level of care for alcohol treatment as individuals stay within the detox centre throughout their alcohol detox programme, involves the supervised withdrawal from substances in a safe and controlled environment. It provides 24/7 medical and emotional support to anyone who requires intensive monitoring and assistance throughout their detoxification process.
What Are Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be mild or severe, depending on your body and history of alcohol use. Because severe withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening without medical support, you should never try to do an alcohol detox at home. Instead, professional detox programmes can guide you safely through the process. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:
- Hand tremors (‘the shakes’)
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Insomnia
Some people experience more severe symptoms, including hallucinations, seizures and delirium tremens. Delirium tremens (DTs) affects 3-5% of people during alcohol withdrawal and requires immediate medical care.
Symptoms of DTs include:
- Severe disorientation
- Increased heart rate, blood pressure and breathing problems
- Uncontrollable restless behaviour
What Is the Timeline for Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?
The length and intensity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms can vary, but a general pattern can be observed:
- The first forty-eight hours: During the first one or two days, you may experience tremors, headaches, and nausea. You may also feel anxious or depressed during this time.
- Around day three: In most cases, your withdrawal symptoms will begin to subside around this point. However, if your alcohol addiction is particularly severe, you may experience DTs at this point.
- Days three to seven: At this point, you can expect most symptoms to have eased off. You may experience some lingering behavioural symptoms such as irritability and depression, but for the most part, you should be over the worst symptoms. Some people still experience post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS).
Getting professional support during alcohol detox can make the process more comfortable, as well as more successful. Get in touch with Oasis Bradford to learn more about how we can help detox from alcohol.
How does Oasis Bradford support you with detoxing from alcohol?
Detoxing from alcohol is a crucial step in your recovery process from excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol detox is a medically supervised procedure designed to safely manage the withdrawal symptoms that may occur when you stop or significantly reduce your alcohol intake.
Here’s a breakdown of what alcohol detox entails at Oasis Bradford:
- Medical assessment: Before beginning the detox process, a medical assessment is conducted. This allows us to determine the severity of your alcohol dependence and assess if you have any co-occurring health conditions.
- Withdrawal management: Alcohol withdrawal can range from mild to severe, and it may involve symptoms such as tremors, anxiety, nausea and hallucinations. During detox, our medical professionals will closely monitor and manage these symptoms to ensure your safety and comfort. Medications can also be administered to alleviate symptoms throughout this time.
- Physical stabilisation: The primary objective of detoxification is to eliminate the harmful toxins created by your alcohol intake. Throughout this process, we will closely monitor your body’s adaptation and ensure that it stabilises effectively. Additionally, we will address any medical concerns that may arise during this period.
- Emotional support: Alongside medical care, emotional support is vital during alcohol detox. Oasis Bradford will provide you with the therapy needed to help you address the psychological aspects of your alcohol use.
Detox alone is not sufficient for lasting recovery from reliance on alcohol. It is recommended to continue treatment and engage in comprehensive rehabilitation programmes to address the psychological and emotional aspects of your unhealthy relationship with alcohol.
Moving On From Alcohol Detox
Alcohol detox is the first important step in the recovery process. It helps you navigate withdrawal and provide you with the skills to move forward.
At Oasis Bradford, we support you during the transition from detox to long-term alcohol recovery. We’ll advise on the best treatment, arrange the administrative details and ensure you settle in.
If you have any questions about detoxing from alcohol at Oasis Bradford, get in touch with one of our team members.
Frequently asked questions
