Table of Contents
Preventing life-threatening ailments with Alcohol Detox
Causes and Effects of Alcoholism
Treating Alcoholism with Alcohol Detox
What Alcohol Detox Centers Offers
Elements That Can Define an Exceptional Alcohol Detox Programs
What Makes an Alcohol Detox Program Worth Considering?
Page Summary
When most people hear the word alcohol detox, they immediately think of drinking a shot of green juice and eating healthy for a week or so; while this is true for celebrities trying to lose weight for an awards show, detoxing from drugs is a lot more extensive and can be extremely dangerous. With over 400 treatment facilities nationwide, choosing the right detox center can be quite a daunting task. It is important to know what makes the best drug detox center, such as multiple options and continual care throughout the process.
Because alcohol is legal, many people do not realize the dangerous effects it can have on the body. What they do not remember is that at one point in history, alcohol became illegal simply because of people losing their inhibitions; they did not even consider the health effects. Alcohol abuse disorders are a growing epidemic and many people are suffering from adverse health effects. Treatment and detox from alcohol can significantly increase overall health, as well as longevity.
As mentioned before, because alcohol is legal, people do not realize how much they are impacting their health, both mentally and physically. In recent months, a French organization, Addict Aide began a campaign to “show people how easy it is to miss addiction in the people closest to us”. By posting pictures on Instagram of a woman who is holding a drink in every one of them, the “Like My Addiction” campaign raised awareness of alcoholism among young people.
According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, over 76 million Americans have, or live with someone who has, an alcohol disorder. Medical experts contribute alcoholism to a number of factors, including genetics, family history, immediate environment and the chemical (ethanol) found present in alcohol.
Genetics: Scientists have found a common gene present among those who suffer from alcohol disorders, as well as other addictive disorders. People who carry this certain gene are more susceptible to developing an addiction than those who do not carry the gene.
Family History: When there is a family history of alcohol disorders or addictive personalities, the chance of a person developing an addiction is increased by over 50 percent.
Immediate Environment: Children who live with an alcoholic parent or who live in unfortunate circumstances also have an increased chance at developing an alcohol disorder themselves. Being in a turbulent environment with anger, irritability, stress, lack of communication or poor role modeling may cause people to self-medicate which will lead to addiction, overdose or death.
Alcohol Ingredients: Ethanol, the main ingredient in alcohol, is extremely addictive and has the power to manipulate the normal functions of the brain. Medical experts have found that the body will become used to the chemicals in alcohol producing certain feelings that the brain will no longer produce those feelings naturally. The body will depend solely on alcohol to create the feelings and will not function normally without it. Additionally, the body will become tolerant to its effects that it will require more and at a more frequent rate in order to maintain normality. Users will need to increase their intake, which may lead to overdose and death.
Not only will alcoholism lead to overdose and death, it can also cause detrimental effects to the heart, kidneys, immune system, liver and stomach. The enzymes in the stomach break alcohol down into a toxic substance called acetaldehyde, which is a relative to formaldehyde, a substance that can damage both the gastrointestinal tract and brain. After the stomach breaks the alcohol down, it reaches the liver and becomes acetate, which can become toxic and cause sweating, nausea and vomiting. Alcohol intake also reduces the productivity of the immune system which causes the susceptibility to all kinds of illnesses. Additionally, consuming alcohol causes dehydration and an increased heart rate which can lead to cardiac problems and nutrient deficiencies.
When alcohol disorders are treated, the program begins with an extensive alcohol detox, which safely removes all toxic substances from the body. One of the most important steps in the detox process is nutritional support. As mentioned before, alcohol causes dehydration which completely depletes the body of all vital vitamins and minerals. Rehab clinicians are equipped to administer necessary vitamins and minerals intravenously in order to replenish and restore the body back to a normal state.
For patients who experience severe addiction, drug detox centers recommend the inpatient drug detox. This program takes place in a treatment facility. Patients eat, sleep, learn, grow and recover all in the same place under the constant supervision of medical professionals. As mentioned earlier, detox should not be attempted alone; it is extremely dangerous and should take place in a safe and secure setting.
Following the alcohol detox program, patients will begin a series of therapeutic modalities that help them control their negative and addictive behaviors in order to live a life free from the dependence of stimuli. Every program offered at a natural drug detox center is designed for patients to gain a new outlook on life, as well as increase their longevity.
When someone or their loved one has had enough of being buffeted around by an alcohol addiction, the next logical step is to look for alcohol detox centers offering a detox alcohol program. No medical professional will recommend attempting to quit alcohol alone. That is because they withdrawal symptoms are too dangerous, and often severe. Detoxing from alcohol can be even more severe than detoxing from heroin. It requires supervised, clinical care.
Medications can be administered to help the individual detox, along with behavioral therapy that allows an individual to straighten out their thinking habits. Both inpatient and outpatient detox alcohol programs are offered.
Consider it a miracle when a person looks for an alcohol detox program. It takes courage to admit there is an addiction. Many alcoholics are stubborn, opinionated, and the last to admit they need clinical help. However, once the decision is made to receive help the next step is to find a rehab facility with the experience, qualified personnel, and equipment to help patients regain a life of sobriety and healthy living. Look for the following in an effective alcohol detox treatment facility.
When speaking with an alcohol detox center, expect to be invited for a tour to get a first-hand feel for their operations. A legitimate organization offering alcohol detox treatment should also have a robust web presence and associate with industry professional organizations. Everything about the facility should be in good standing with the community and industry.
Anything less and the client should keep looking for a good fit. Not every addiction treatment center will offer the same programs and amenities. So, patients have to be careful to make the right choice. Their health and program success depends on it. The best alcohol treatment programs are focused on providing patients with the tools needed to live a life free of alcohol addiction.
Millions of people enter alcohol rehab each year. This just refers to the US. Around the world the number of alcoholics’ balloons into astronomical numbers. Those who cannot find rehab are unfortunate. It takes clinical, focused help to beat the addiction. Detox symptoms can be cruel for many, and may include shakes, profuse sweating, accelerated heartbeats, hallucinations, dehydration, and even strokes or heart attacks. This is a main reason why alcohol detox should never be attempted alone. Alcohol detox clinics provide the programs, clinical help, and equipment needed to get patients back on the path to sobriety.
The first brave act is admitting there is an alcohol problem. The next challenge is sourcing alcohol detox treatment centers that can provide the comprehensive and individualized treatment that leads to abstinence. While not all alcohol detox clinics will offer the same services, the effective ones all have a number of services in common. Ask the following questions to make the right rehab questions.
Al alcohol detox worth considering will also provide a robust aftercare program that keeps patients dialed in and focused on gaining full sobriety. Aftercare is the bridge that allows patients to full reenter society. Patients will still have access to therapies, counseling, and other things to keep them on the straight-and-narrow road.
Abstinence is tough for many, because there are so many opportunities for relapse. Alcohol can be found at every facet of society; parties, weddings, business meetings, sports, bars, and restaurants etc. Effective alcohol takes all these things into consideration.
With the consumption of alcohol rising every year, there is little wonder that demand for detox alcohol treatments are on the increase. According to statistics gathered by CDC.gov and presented as alcohol fact sheets, there are approximately 88,000 yearly deaths, which equates to 2.5 million years of potential life lost each year due to alcohol addiction.
One must consider that a standard drink consists of .6 ounces of pure alcohol. Large amounts of pure alcohol are found in the following: beer, malt liquor, wine, and 80-proof alcohol. Taking a drink on occasion is not damaging to an individual’s health. However, taking one drink can lead to the next, and the next, and the next. Thus, drinking can become excessive. Just what is considered to be excessive drinking?
Alcoholism amongst teens and adolescents is on the rise as well. Drinking among youth starts before the age of 12, even though statistics only collect data for youth 12 years old and up. Liquor is readily available and is cheap.
The health risks associated with drinking are just as menacing for adults as they are children. They include, but are not limited to the following: