Alcohol withdrawal and detox

Alcohol detox is the process of removing alcohol from the body, allowing it to return to its normal functioning and begin to repair the damage done by excessive, long-term drinking. While detoxing from alcohol can be a challenging process, it’s an essential step on the road to recovery and creates solid foundations on which to build a sober life.

Some of the benefits of detox at a professional alcohol detox clinic like Banbury Lodge include:

• Improved physical and mental health
• Reduced risk of alcohol withdrawal complications
• Improved chance of long-term recovery

Alcohol stimulates the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that produces feelings of pleasure and reward. Over time, the brain adapts to the presence of alcohol and requires increasing amounts to produce the same effect, a state known as tolerance. As you then drink more and more to get the desired feeling, you end up becoming physically dependent on alcohol and need to drink just to function normally.

Detoxing from alcohol can be difficult because when you try to stop drinking, the brain needs time to adjust to the absence of alcohol resulting in alcohol withdrawal symptoms. During this adjustment period, there are only two ways to get relief from alcohol withdrawal symptoms: start drinking again or persevere through alcohol detox.

The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can vary widely depending on the severity of your dependence, the duration of alcohol use, and other individual factors. Some common alcohol detox symptoms include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Tremors or shakes
• Sweating
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Irritability or agitation
• Hallucinations
• Seizures

The alcohol withdrawal timeline can also vary depending on age, gender, overall health and the length and severity of the addiction but here is a general timeline of what to expect when you detox from alcohol:

Day one

The first signs of alcohol withdrawal typically appear within 6-12 hours after the last drink. At this point, you may experience mild hangover-like symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, tremors and headaches.

Days two to three

Within the first 48-72 hours, most people will experience a peak in the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms can include fever, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, nausea, vomiting and confusion.

Week one onwards

After the first few days of detox, alcohol withdrawal symptoms typically begin to subside. However, some people may experience more persistent alcohol detox symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia that can last for weeks or even months after detox. That’s why it’s important to seek medical supervision and support during the detox process to ensure your safety and comfort and to put a longer-term plan in place if necessary.

What is Delirium Tremens?

Delirium tremens (DTs) is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that can be life-threatening if not properly treated. DTs typically occur in individuals who have been heavy drinkers for a long time, and symptoms usually appear 48-72 hours after the last drink. Symptoms of DTs include confusion, fever, seizures, and hallucinations and so professional medical support and guidance are needed to manage them.

While detoxing from alcohol at home may be tempting, it’s important to note that this can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Without proper medical supervision, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can quickly escalate, leading to relapse, seizures, DTs and other complications.

If you’re seeking treatment for alcohol addiction, Banbury Lodge can provide a safe and supportive environment for detox and recovery. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the detox process at Banbury Lodge:

• Medical Assessment: Before beginning alcohol detox, you’ll undergo a thorough medical assessment to ensure that you’re medically stable and that alcohol detox is safe for you. Our medical team will assess your physical health, mental health and substance use history to create a personalised detox plan that’s tailored to your needs.
• Detoxification: The alcohol detox process at Banbury Lodge is medically supervised, meaning that you’ll have around-the-clock medical support and monitoring throughout the process. Medications may be prescribed to manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms and ensure your comfort and our doctors will ensure that you are kept safe in the event of DTs.
• Alcohol rehab: Alongside alcohol detox, you will also undergo a comprehensive counselling and therapy programme to address the underlying issues that contribute to your alcohol use and to learn new sober-living strategies.

Undergoing alcohol detox is a big step into the unknown and so it can be a scary prospect. However, the reality of alcohol detox is rarely as frightening as you might imagine it to be. To help put you at ease and give you the best chance of success, here are some top tips for alcohol detox:

Seek support from loved ones

The alcohol detox process can be emotionally and physically challenging so support from loved ones can be crucial. Consider enlisting the help of family and friends to provide emotional support, help take care of your home duties while you are at the alcohol detox clinic or simply spend time with you during this difficult time.

Trust the process

Your medical team has your best interests in mind and can provide you with the support, resources and guidance you need to successfully complete the alcohol detox process. It is important to follow their advice and instructions closely to ensure your safety and comfort during this time and to give yourself the best chance of success.

By following these tips, you can help ensure a smoother and more successful alcohol detox process.

If you have a friend or family member who is going through alcohol detox, you can make all the difference in their chances of long-term success. Here is some practical and effective advice for helping a loved one who is detoxing from alcohol:

Visit and contact them during their stay in alcohol detox

This can provide valuable emotional support and give them the strength they need during difficult moments in the alcohol detox process. Make an effort to call or text them regularly to let them know you’re thinking of them and offer words of encouragement.

Help take care of their responsibilities

Detoxing from alcohol can be a time-consuming process, and your loved one may need help with daily responsibilities such as caring for their children or managing work obligations. Offer to assist with these tasks to help alleviate their stress and ensure they can focus on their recovery.

Prepare their home for their return

Returning home after alcohol detox can be overwhelming, especially if your loved one is returning to a stressful or chaotic environment. Help them prepare for their return by cleaning and organising their home, stocking up on healthy food, removing any alcohol and making any necessary arrangements to ensure a smooth transition.

Offer ongoing support

Recovery is an ongoing process, and your loved one will need ongoing support to maintain their sobriety. Offer to accompany them to AA meetings or other support groups, or simply be available to listen and offer support when they need it.

At Banbury Lodge, we’re committed to helping you overcome alcohol dependency and achieve lasting recovery. Get in touch with us today to find out more about how our individualised alcohol detox programmes can help you get started on your journey to lifelong sobriety.