What You Need to Know About Alcohol Detox

Alcohol detox is one of the terms that you will encounter when the topic of alcohol abuse is being discussed but what exactly is detox? Detox or detoxification, is the process of removing toxic substances from the body. Detoxification is naturally performed by the liver, the kidneys, and the gastrointestinal tract. It can also be performed artificially through the process of dialysis and chelation therapy.

Alcohol detox is the period of withdrawal wherein the body of a person is returned to homeostasis, or a stable internal body condition, after a long period of being corrupted by addictive substances. Through alcohol detox, the withdrawal symptoms experienced by the person being detoxified is reduced and relieved in order to help his body adjust to a alcohol-free condition. Alcohol detox is not a means to treat alcohol abuse. It is just a pre-treatment process that is performed to ready the person for the upcoming alcohol treatment procedures. Alcohol detox and alcohol treatment go hand-in-hand to help a person find his way towards full recovery.

The Four Steps in Alcohol Detox

* Evaluation

The first step in alcohol detox is evaluation. The person who suffers from alcohol abuse is tested first to identify the specific substances that are currently circulating in his bloodstream. The amount of that particular substance is also determined. The doctors or clinicians then evaluates the person for potential co-occurring disorders such as mental issues, behavioral problems, and dual diagnosis.

* Detoxification

This is the most important step in the process of alcohol detoxification because this is the part where the actual detoxification takes place. In this step, the person with alcohol abuse issues undergo a series of medical tests and procedures that share the same objective of cleansing the body from toxic substances.

* Stabilization

After the evaluation, the person suffering from alcohol abuse then enters a period of stabilization. This step may be performed with or without the involvement of medications but most of the time, medications are needed. During this time, the doctors or clinicians also explain all the things that their patient needs to expect regarding the upcoming treatment procedures and the future recovery process. Some alcohol detox centers allow the friends and families of the patient to be involved in the process. A person suffering from alcohol abuse definitely needs all the love and support that he can get.

* Guidance

The last and final step in the process of alcohol detox is guidance. In this step, the person suffering from alcohol abuse is guided into further treatment procedures that will lead him to a process of recovery. After this step, the person with alcohol abuse process is suggested to enter a alcohol rehab facility.