Alcohol Detox

When heavy or frequent drinkers suddenly decide to quit they will usually experience physical withdrawal symptoms -- which can range from the mildly annoying to severe and even life-threatening. The severity of these withdrawal symptoms is usually dependent upon how "chemically dependent" the chronic drinker has become. Those who drink heavily on a daily basis of course have developed a high level of dependency, but even those who drink daily, but not heavily and those who drink heavily but not daily, can also be chemically dependent upon alcohol.

When someone who has become "alcohol dependent" decides to stop drinking, he or she will experience some level of physical discomfort as well as mental cravings. For this reason, it is extremely difficult for them to merely stop drinking "on their own" without assistance and support.

'Never Again'

The scenario has been played over and over many times. After a particularly damaging or embarrassing binge, the hungover person will often make an oath to themselves and to others to "never drink again" and is often quite sincere about quitting. But with the onset of withdrawal symptoms, also comes the "craving" for more alcohol. The body is telling the drinker that it "needs" alcohol. As the physical symptoms of withdrawal begin to increase, taking another drink simply becomes less painful than not taking one -- or so it seems at the time. For those who have committed themselves to not drinking again, or forced by circumstances to not have access to alcohol, the struggle to fight the withdrawal symptoms can become a dangerous battle, one that can actually become life threatening.

The Shakes

For some, who are less chemically dependent, withdrawal symptoms might be as "mild" as merely getting the shakes, or the sweats -- or perhaps nausea, headache, anxiety, a rapid heart beat, and increased blood pressure. Although these symptoms are uncomfortable and irritating, they are not necessarily dangerous. But they are often accompanied by the "craving" for more alcohol, making the decision to continue abstinence much more difficult to make. Even the "morning after" hangover of someone who only occasionally drinks to excess, is actually a mild form of alcohol withdrawal from the excesses of the night before, as the alcohol content of their blood begins to drop. The symptoms can appear within a few hours after not drinking.

The DT's

However, within six to 48 hours after not drinking, hallucinations may develop. These usually are visual hallucinations but they can also involve sounds and smells. They can last for a few hours up to weeks at a time. Also within this time frame after quitting, convulsions or seizures can occur, which is the point at which alcohol withdrawal can become dangerous, if not medically treated. The symptoms may progress to delirium tremens (DT's) after three to five days without alcohol. The symptoms of DT's include profound confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, hyperactivity, and extreme cardiovascular disturbances. Once DT's begin, there is no known medical treatment to stop them. Grand mal seizures, heart attacks and stroke can occur during the DT's, all of which can be fatal.

DETOX AT THE PROVIDENCE PROJECTS

The good news is that all of these symptoms can often be completely eliminated or at least alleviated with the detoxification regime we offer at The Providence Projects. The detox process is overseen by Dr Peter Turnbull who prescribes medication to ease withdrawals, lessen anxiety, aid sleep while also ensuring that the patient doesn't have seizures. This detox process usually takes about eight days depending on the patient's alcohol intake and other personal contributing factors. Since 1996 over 90% of our patients have successfully completed their detox.

Please note, detox alone is not the solution for the ‘addict’ or ‘alcoholic’. It is often necessary and is the beginning of the treatment recovery process but without the necessary therapeutics interventions that treatment offers the chances of long term recovery are slim.

If you need further information regarding detox or treatment, please call 01202 39 30 30 or complete the call back request form and we will call you back immediately.

Name		Message
Telephone
Email