Methods of Detoxing from Alcohol

There are a ton of movies, TV shows and books that show alcoholics going dry by locking themselves in a room or by having someone close to them trap them somewhere that alcohol simply cannot be accessed. Although the alcoholic character goes through Hell, they make it through this forced detox relatively quickly. But reality isn’t like that.

Alcohol detox will trigger alcohol withdrawal and it can be severe, ranging from mild tremors to massive seizures. In truly severe cases, withdrawal can actually be life-threatening. To attempt the process without professional guidance is dangerous, call our helpline toll free at 800-256-3490 for assistance.

But, what kind of help can you get?

Inpatient Treatment

Fluids and medications are administered during inpatient treatment for alcohol detox.

This is the safest form of alcohol detox treatment because patients remain consistently observed and supported. In addition, they are separated from the life that they developed around their drinking problem. Detoxing while still able to access alcohol may prove too tempting for those with a severe addiction.

The US National Library of Medicine indicates inpatient treatment usually includes:

• Medical observation of blood pressure, body temperature, heart rate, and blood levels of different chemicals in the body
• Fluids or medications given by IV
• Sedation using medications until withdrawal is finished

If you are ready to begin detoxing from alcohol, you should get help and Detox.com can provide you with it. Call 800-256-3490 to speak with someone today.

Outpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment used to be the norm, but, now, most people detox from alcohol using an outpatient program. In the article “Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal,” the authors note “fewer than 20 percent of patients undergoing AW require admission to an inpatient unit.”

There are not any strict rules about who should attend an outpatient program, but it can be safely assumed that people with moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms, those with medical or psychiatric conditions, and those who previously experienced the DTs or had withdrawal seizures should seek inpatient help. They need the constant oversight.

In terms of oversight, outpatient participants must have a sober person to act as support and will have to visit their doctor daily for assessment of symptoms and progress.

Alcohol Rehab Centers

Making the Choice

If  you or someone you care about needs help, call our helpline toll-free at 800-256-3490. We will assist you in deciding whether inpatient or outpatient detox is the right method of care for your treatment needs. Our helpline counselors are ready to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.