How alcohol withdrawal differs from other drug detox, why it's important in the treatment process and how it can be deadly when not done in a medical setting.
In 1992, more than 7 percent of U.S. adult population met the criteria for alcohol addiction or dependence as specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. In 2000, 226,000 patients were discharged from short-stay hospitals after being diagnosed with alcohol withdrawal, alcohol withdrawal delirium or alcohol withdrawal hallucinosis. It is estimated that only 10 to 20 percent of patients undergoing alcohol withdrawal are treated as inpatients, meaning that as many as 2 million Americans may experience symptoms of alcohol withdrawal conditions each year.
Those are staggering statistics, especially when you realize that those who go through medical detox are more than 20 percent more likely to successfully complete treatment than those who don't, according to statistics published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (www.SAMHSA.gov). In addition, alcohol detox has proven to be even more dangerous than drug detox in many instances, further making the case for medical supervision.
Alcohol's Effects
Alcohol enhances the effect of GABA on GABA-A neuroreceptors, resulting in decreased overall brain excitability. Chronic exposure to alcohol results in a compensatory decrease of GABA-A neuroreceptor response to GABA, evidenced by increasing tolerance of the effects of alcohol, according to a report Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome published by the American Academy of Family Physicians. While alcohol inhibits certain neuroreceptors, stopping the alcohol exposure can also have harmful results, including anxiety, irritability, agitation and tremors. Severe alcohol withdrawal could lead to seizures and even delirium.
Alcohol Withdrawal
The alcohol detox process can be one of the most intense of all substances, making it more important than ever to detox in a medically supervised setting. Withdrawal symptoms generally last several days to two weeks, with the symptoms listed below reaching their peak after the first few days of the process.
Addiction isn't a weakness or character defect, and trying to overpower a chemical addiction with an emotional response doesn't make those very real physical cravings go away. Detox is serious business and something Foundations Recovery Network facilities take very seriously. Our programs offer a medical detox that allows those with an addiction to safely, carefully get the alcohol out of their system with the least amount of discomfort and risk. Detox usually takes place in a separate wing, like the newly renovated, state-of-the-art detox center at La Paloma Treatment Center. Our medical staff monitors progress every step along the way, making adjustments and dealing with issues as they arise.
Are You An Alcoholic?
Maybe you're not sure you need medical help. How can you tell if you, a friend or a loved one is in need of treatment for an addiction? Try answering these simple questions:
Are you using alcohol to escape today?
Have you tried to stop drinking and can't?
Are you drinking more than you did a few weeks or even a few days ago?
Help for Addiction
Once a problem has been identified, it's time to get help. A comprehensive assessment by a trained professional can determine if medical detox in needed. If you think you or someone you know is in need of alcohol detox or treatment for an alcohol addiction, contact us at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day.
How alcohol withdrawal differs from other drug detox, why it's important in the treatment process and how it can be deadly when not done in a medical setting.
