How Alcohol Detoxification Is Administered at Alcoholism Treatment Centers?

Hundreds and thousands of Americans seek an effective solution for alcohol addiction every single day. An important part of the treatment or alcohol recovery process that all problem drinkers need to go through is that of detoxification. The process of detoxification that is carried out at alcoholism treatment centers can be defined as the instant cut of the access to the consumption of alcohol or any mood altering substance. Detoxification is also combined with ingestion of pharmaceuticals which effectively lessen the withdrawal symptoms that accompany the habit of alcohol abuse. Some of the common withdrawal symptoms that may surface are:

Shaking of the legs and hands
Headaches
Insomnia
Palpitation
Excessive perspiration
Pallor
Clammy looking skin
Involuntary motions of the eyelids
Dilated pupils
Loss of appetite
Spasms
Vomiting and nausea
Fatigue
An overall appalling feeling

Other than these physical symptoms there are a set of other elements that might surface as well like irritability, nervousness, depression, emotional instability, volatility, disturbed sleep and confusion.

Other than these, most alcoholics suffer from another rather serious symptom that is known as delirium tremens which leads to fever, convulsions and tremors, confusion and agitation, and visual and auditory hallucinations. People who suffer from DTs need to be taken care of with immediate treatment. In case the condition is left untreated, there are very good chances that it will result in some serious fatal complications which can eventually lead to even death.

Before treatment for alcohol dependency is initiated at the alcoholism treatment centers, the patient is expected to undergo a full fledged clinical and physical assessment by a certified doctor. On the basis of that, it is determined whether the individual can be treated with an outpatient alcohol detoxification program, which allows the patient to undergo treatment while staying at home or whether it would be better to send him or her to the alcoholism treatment centers for a full fledged detox program.

Progress of the Sobriety Plan: On the very first day, a very high dose of the prescribed drug is administered to the patient. One of the most common drugs that are used in the treatment of alcohol abuse is chlordiazepoxide. This is a drug that is particularly used for anxiety management which generally takes place along with the other symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Thereon the dosage of the drug is gradually reduced with every passing day. Some of the other medicines that are also prescribed while the detox is in session are vitamin supplements like B1. Moreover, during the course of the detoxification, the patient is medically checked on a number of occasions. Mild withdrawal symptoms are common in this phase; these are not as severe as the ones he would have to go through if the patient went without proper medication.

Though the level of substance dependence can be reduced through detoxification, the resultant psychological and behavioral effects are long term. This is why most of the alcoholism treatment centers offer a combination of behavioral and psychological therapy to help the patients deal with their mood swings and anxiety.