If you drink, you’re not alone – more than 70% of the U.S. adult population according to a 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) drink, at least occasionally. Social acceptance, ease of availability, and a high profile in media make drinking seem like a pretty common element of daily American life.
But the truth is that more than 85 million Americans abuse alcohol every month. Science has long known that a link exists between alcohol abuse and significant health risks such as cancer and brain atrophy and a lower life expectancy. When faced with these facts (and other physical, mental, emotional, or financial hardships), many people recognize that it is time for them to reevaluate their lifestyle and relationship with alcohol.
The first step in this process is detox.
What to Expect in Detox
Before we get into how detox works, let’s talk about why it works.
The main reason for detox is to cleanses the body of all traces of toxins (thus “de-tox”) and eventually to eliminate cravings and other withdrawal symptoms. If you don’t address the physical dependency of alcohol, you can’t begin to adequately take on the mental and emotional issues that need to address on your pathway to sobriety. This is why treatment facilities will require you to complete detox before starting any rehab programs.
But detox doesn’t always come easy. The dependency your body has developed on alcohol will lead to withdrawal symptoms. Casual drinkers who are looking to stop or slow down their drinking won’t likely experience significant withdrawal symptoms. But, if you’re reading this blog, then you are likely in the second category.
Moderate to heavy drinkers will likely experience some more significant withdrawal symptoms when trying to cut back or eliminate alcohol from their systems. These symptoms can be mental or physical and are frequently a combination of both.
How Bad Can Alcohol Detox Be?
Symptoms can vary for each person, and factors such as age, body composition, age, length of time you’ve been drinking, and how much you drink all factor into your withdrawal experience. That said, there are some fairly common symptoms associated with the detoxification process. The most common ones include.
- Digestive issues
- Anxiety
- Rapid heart rate
- Excessive sweating
- Depression
- Tremors
- Confusion
- Stroke
Is There Any Way to Make Alcohol Detox Safer?
Detoxification is a critical first step in the Rehabilitation process. The physical, emotional, and psychological impact of ridding your body of addictive substances can be significant. That is why it’s critical to do it in a safe, comfortable, medically-monitored environment.
Medically monitored detox (available in 2021 at Topsail) allows your body to rid itself of the influence of alcohol in a safe, comfortable controlled environment. Reducing the risk and managing the withdrawal symptoms can significantly improve your chances of success.
A medically monitored detox program may consist of several clinical protocols. They can be used alone or in combination with each other. The most common include:
- Medications to mitigate the risks of severe withdrawal and withdrawal complications
- Nutritional support and physical exercise to promote early recovery.
- Psychological and behavioral counseling and support.
- Supervision by a trained clinical team to manage any emergencies that arise.
The most crucial part of any medically monitored detox is that patients are given 24/7 care and monitoring to ensure that dangerous withdrawals are adequately monitored and treated.
What Happens After Detox?
While it is critical to get rid of the toxins in your body before you begin to address other addiction issues, it is just the first step in the path to sobriety.
Lifestyle choices have to be evaluated, and changes need to be implemented. Patients need to understand the causes and triggers of their addiction – and how to deal with them in the real world. PHP treatment, Outpatient treatment, and sober living facilities and all help address the physical, mental, and emotional impact of substance abuse and addiction.
Insurance for Detox
The cost of detox is one thing that may keep people from getting the help they need. Fortunately, many insurance programs cover medically monitored detox because it is a safer, more effective way to help regain control over addiction. In fact, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also called “ObamaCare” has mandated that all marketplace insurance plans, Medicaid plans, and private insurance policies include substance abuse treatment as part of their mental health coverage. This means that, depending on your plan, your detox may be fully or partially covered.
Getting help. Getting Started.
Detox isn’t fun. But neither is living a life dependent on alcohol and living with the damage it can cause.
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