Alcohol Withdrawal and Detox
Alcohol detox is ridding the body of chemical toxins, and stabilizing the individual by treating withdrawal. Withdrawal can begin with minor bouts of sickness, but can escalate into seizures, delirium tremens, and critical levels of high blood pressure. Alcohol withdrawal can be fatal, and medical detoxification can be a life saving measure. This should be faithfully followed by efforts of treatment.
For years, Cirque Lodge has been considered a preeminent addiction treatment facility for those struggling with alcohol abuse. Now we offer that same effort, care and passion for those in need of detoxification from alcoholism! Clients are professionally and personally cared for by our dedicated medical team. Our alcohol detox center reflects the very same efforts and attention to comfort and professionalism that you would expect from our facility.
What is Alcohol Detox?
Detox for alcoholism is a medical intervention used to treat individuals that are dealing with moderate to severe dependence to alcohol. When such an individual stops drinking they can experience a number of adverse health risks known as withdrawal. Some alcohol withdrawal symptoms are potentially life threatening, which is why it is recommended to seek professional help when tapering off or quitting an active addiction. Also, it is NOT recommended to stop the abuse of alcohol ‘cold turkey’ in individuals who have been drinking heavily for extended months or years.
The alcohol detox process uses a series of medications and treatments to address cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It monitors the individual to make sure that these symptoms do not escalate. The focus is to stabilize that individual as the toxins of drinking run their course through the system. The first signs of withdrawal begin to show about 6-8 hours after one stops drinking. These issues can build and peak within the next 24-48 hours. In most common cases of detoxification the process can take anywhere from 5-7 days. More severe cases can take longer.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms manifesting as a result of alcoholism can start just a few hours (6-8) after someone stops drinking. While these are common symptoms, the effects are not the same for everyone. Initial alcohol withdrawal effects include:
- Intensified craving for alcohol
- Depression or Anxiety
- Minor irritability
- Nausea
- Inability to Sleep
More severe cases of alcoholism can result in even more difficult symptoms that can occur within the first 48 hours of sobriety. One such withdrawal concern is that of Delirium Tremens or the ‘D.T.’s. Some studies say that this occurs in 1 out of every 20 alcoholics and intensifies in those with more acute alcoholism concerns. These withdrawal effects include:
- Severe Tremors / Shaking
- Hallucination
- Profuse Sweating
- High Blood Pressure
- Higher Risk of Heart Problems
- Seizures
With the potential risk of these concerns, it becomes even more imperative that the individual struggling with alcoholism receive the right level of appropriate care. These risks are life threatening if not properly looked after by medical professionals.
3-Steps to Alcohol Detox
1. Halting Alcohol Abuse
The first step is to bring an end to the drinking. Different measures of care and intervention are supplied to bring this about. For individuals faced with severe alcoholism, the first measure is detoxification. Alcohol detox gets the harmful toxins out of the system and addresses any dangerous withdrawal effects that can happen when the alcohol is out of the body.
We strive to provide the highest levels of care from our alcoholism facility at Cirque. Detoxification is provided at our Studio facility, with medical offices, lounge and detox rooms located on the ground floor. The detox process can be a difficult time for an alcoholic. We are committed to meeting individual’s needs with comfort and medical care within our provided services. After alcohol detox, we employ a rigorous assessment and diagnosis process. This helps us to delve deeper and address any underlying concern that can be influencing or even leading to this behavior. We are a dual diagnosis rehab facility. Which means we treat co-occurring conditions like mental health concerns in conjunction to addiction problems.
Over time, alcohol can make significant changes to the brain and the behavior process. It can change thought patterns and emotional responses. That’s why an alcoholic person will need this type of specialized treatment and therapy. At Cirque we use different levels of cognitive and behavioral therapies which take a much closer look into why these responses are brought about. Coping mechanisms and strategies are developed which can be utilized in response to these behaviors. It can help an alcoholic to take a closer look at why they drink and what can be done to help them stop.
2. Education Elements to Alcohol Rehab
When we get to rehab for the first time, yes it can be a pretty eye opening experience, but it also is a learning experience for sure. People usually don’t think of rehab as a place for education, but really that is one of the founding pieces of the treatment process. Treatment is the place where the alcoholic gains the understanding of the drinking effects after detox and what it is doing to them. Through our alcohol treatment program, education is actually the experience! We not only use group sessions and workshops to teach about the subject matter. We also use our beautiful and serene mountain venues as places of learning.
Perhaps one of the most important pieces that is discussed and worked on in alcohol rehab is recovery through the 12-step program. We are a leading facility for abstinence and 12-step based recovery. We want our residents to have a firm and solid footing with these steps prior to leaving treatment. It is something that they can take with them and utilize time and time again in their lives. And just like other elements of education at Cirque, these steps are learned in many fun and engaging ways to help with retention.
3. Making Changes to Recover
“Nothing changes if nothing changes.” If a person doesn’t make changes to their lives and behaviors, and doesn’t take any steps to remove alcohol from their life, they just will continue to drink. It will get even worse and possibly fatal. To recover from alcohol dependence, a person has to make necessary life changes to their behavior and thought processes. Part of our treatment experience is to bring these changes about. Through education elements a person can learn the science and reasons behind the dependency. Through alcohol recovery that same individual can get inspired to do something about taking back control.
Addiction treatment and alcohol detox strives to be a positive experience. With alcoholism a person can be struggling, isolated and feeling hopeless. To bring about changes for recovery, our program provides things that are inspiring and healing for the soul. It removes the thoughts of hopelessness and introduces positives for recovery. With such changes to an individual long-term recovery becomes a reality. People can and are recovering every day!
