While alcohol may be the most available legal “drug”, it is devastating to the body as well as to the chemistry of the brain. During a Alcohol Detox Program in New Braunfels, a patient can experience a wide range of different symptoms. When the alcohol abuse has been ongoing and may have been present for years, detox can be a very dangerous period and should only be done under comprehensive medical supervision.
Many people mistakenly believe that alcohol detox is a simple process. In fact, many people make light of the symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol, but for the individual they are no laughing matter. During this process, all the major systems in the body are releasing toxins, which can lead to life-threatening health issues if not carefully monitored.
Health Issues
There are several reasons alcohol detox is more problematic than many types of drug detox programs. One important consideration is the damage to the kidneys and liver, the natural filtering systems of the body, which occurs with the use of alcohol over an extended period of time.
With these filters already not functioning correctly, the added level of toxins can be problematic. Doctors can use B1 supplements and even IV treatments to help to balance the body and provide optimal support for the systems trying to cleanse the toxins.
On top of the issues with the body cleansing systems, most alcoholics are not eating a balanced diet and often have significant nutritional imbalances. During withdrawal, which can include hallucinations, tremors and shaking, hot and cold flashes, and extreme nausea and vomiting, nutritional supplements may also be required.
Cravings and Mood Swings
As the brain chemistry changes during alcohol detox, it is not uncommon for patients to have extreme cravings for alcohol. They can become angry, sometimes even aggressive, and they may have dramatic changes in mood and emotional levels.
Staff at Managed Health Services is trained to help the individual to stay as calm and as relaxed as possible. With some patients, prescription medications may be recommended to help alleviate these psychological factors that are often the most challenging for the patient to manage during the detox process.
The time in alcohol detox is typically 7 to 10 days, although it can be longer or shorter based on the individual patient. This is a necessary first step in recovery, but it is only the first step. Treatment will continue, either in a residential setting or intensive outpatient care, as long as needed.
At Managed Health Services we can provide medically supervised alcohol detox programs followed by the appropriate therapeutic treatment options.
