Alcohol Detoxification and Withdrawal Symptoms Management

People dependent on alcohol to function will benefit from seeking medical advice to manage their withdrawal.

If you are not a regular drinker and your symptoms are mild, you should be able to conduct an alcohol detox at home without using medication as your withdrawal symptoms should also be mild.

However, those who are heavy drinkers (more than 20 units a day) or experience regular withdrawal symptoms and find quitting alcohol difficult, may also be able to do a Home Detox with medication to help ease withdrawal symptoms. A tranquiliser called chlordiazepoxide (Librium) is usually prescribed for this purpose.

Overview of Alcohol Detoxification Process

The alcohol detoxification process can be simplified into the following steps:

Step 1. Alcohol is flushed from the body, meaning that all alcohol consumption is stopped - this is also known as going ‘cold turkey’.
Step 2. Withdrawal symptoms might arise as early as two hours after the last drink - close medical supervision allows clinical professionals to determine whether detox medication for alcohol withdrawal symptoms is required at this stage.
Step 3. Alongside detoxing from alcohol itself, The OAD Clinic fosters mid- and long-term change through a mixture of innovative interventions such as motivational interviewing techniques, CBT, and a mixture of evidence-based approaches as explorative therapies. beyond the conventional counselling and psychotherapy sessions to support the recovery process.

Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

Detoxing from alcohol can trigger a wide range of withdrawal symptoms, depending on the daily amount of alcohol consumption. Symptoms range from mild to severe. Mild symptoms can include:

Nausea & vomiting
Sweating
Mild anxiety & irritability
Insomnia
Shaky hands
Headache

Meanwhile, severe symptoms involve:

Delirium tremens
Hallucinations
Seizures
Tremors
Significant changes in blood pressure and/or heart rate

Severe alcohol dependence may require inpatient treatment. This is because withdrawal symptoms will also be severe and are likely to need specialised treatment for alcohol recovery. Your withdrawal symptoms will be at their worst for the first 48 hours. Inpatient alcohol detoxification usually takes three to seven days from the time of your last drink.

An alcohol recovery programme gives you the medical and psychological support you need throughout the withdrawal process. We provide alcohol detox treatment to help you regain control of your life.

Countries We Serve

The OAD Clinic also provides medical alcohol detoxes for patients in the United States, Egypt, India, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Patients in these countries that require private alcohol detox can benefit from The OAD Clinic’s bespoke alcohol detox programmes at our clinic in London.

Manage withdrawal from alcohol and symptoms of alcohol detox with comprehensive support from The OAD Clinic team at our London centre. Seek treatment at our private alcohol treatment centre in London today. Get in touch to learn more.

FAQs

Is detox medication for alcohol necessary?

Detox from alcohol symptoms can be severe, and in some cases, life-threatening, which is why it is important to have appropriate medical supervision during the detox process. Some individuals might require medication to help manage their withdrawal symptoms, while others can carry on without the need for medication. You will likely be prescribed medication if your medical team deems that it is necessary during your treatment.

Are there risks of taking medication during alcohol detoxification?

It is possible to develop dependency on some classes of medications used for alcohol detox, and these are mainly benzodiazepines. As a result, consuming only the prescribed dosage in a strict and supervised manner is key to prevent habits from forming.

How long does detoxing from alcohol take?

Depending on the daily amount and concentration of alcohol consumed, a detoxification of alcohol can take days to weeks and can depend on a wide range of factors, including your severity of dependence on alcohol. The OAD Clinic has a highly experienced clinical tram to ensure the alcohol detox journey is a smooth and hassle-free journey whenever possible.

How can I manage withdrawal symptoms during alcohol detox phases?

Mild withdrawal symptoms can be managed without medication, meaning that lifestyle changes might need to be adopted to combat symptoms. This can include not smoking, drinking more water, and switching to a healthier diet.

In terms of more severe withdrawal symptoms, assisted alcohol detoxification might be recommended where close clinical monitoring is more suitable and medication is prescribed to help alleviate symptoms.