Detoxification // Alcohol
What you need to know about Alcohol
Overview of Alcohol
Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance. Alcohol is easily accessed, is relatively cheap, and in many cases, socially acceptable. Though alcohol is in some ways “socially acceptable”, there are some dangerous effects of alcohol that can lead to dependence and potentially death.
There are different categories of effects that are caused by alcohol. Some are almost immediate, and others are long-term effects.
According the the CDC, the following are some effects attributed to alcohol abuse:
Short Term Effects
● Slurred Speech
● Emotional Outbursts
● Nausea
● Unsteady Balance
● Vision Impairment
● Vomiting
Long Term Effects
● Anxiety
● Cancer
● Heart Disease
● High Blood Pressure
● Weakened Immune System
● Depression
Categorization Of Drinking
Excessive drinking is considered as heavy drinking, binge drinking, underage drinking, and drinking while pregnant. The most common forms of excessive drinking would be binge drinking and heavy drinking, which can be defined as:
Binge Drinking
Women: Four or more standard drinks during a single occasion
Men: Five or more standard drinks during a single occasion
Heavy Drinking
Women: Eight or more standard drinks throughout the week
Men: Fifteen or more standard drinks throughout the week
When alcohol becomes a serious issue in one's life, the body becomes dependent on the substance. In some cases, individuals cannot function whatsoever without alcohol. When alcohol is removed from the daily routine of an alcoholic, the body begins to go into withdrawal.
Inpatient detoxification at LA Valley Recovery can be greatly beneficial for those suffering from alcohol abuse. Alcohol is a substance in which the withdrawal can be fatal if the patient is not monitored closely. With close monitoring throughout the detoxification process along with medication management, LA Valley Recovery ensures that the withdrawal symptoms are managed as best as possible while making sure the client is safely walked through the process.
Detoxification allows the patient to eliminate alcohol from their daily routine. This process, unfortunately, comes with some uncomfortably which varies in severity depending on the amount of alcohol the patient was using prior to admitting to treatment, how long alcohol was being abused, and also any potential pre-existing conditions that can be heightened due to alcohol abuse.
Inpatient Detoxification For Alcohol at LA Valley Recovery
LA Valley Recovery specializes in responding to each individual situation promptly. Here we will describe the initial steps during admission and initiation of the detoxification treatment plan.
1
Prior to arrival at LA Valley Recovery, our admissions staff will conduct a thorough pre-screen to identify the areas in which alcohol has become an issue. This will identify substance use history, medical history, employment information, and other things in order to prepare the team for your arrival. This allows our medical staff to have a better understanding of the history of each client.
2
Upon arrival at LA Valley Recovery, you will be greeted by medical and operational personnel who will immediately begin assessments to identify the severity of the situation at hand.
3
After medical and admissions assessments are completed, clients can be given medication to begin combating the symptoms of withdrawal.
4
Once initial assessments are completed and medications are given to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms, clients will be seen by our Medical Director, Dr. Courtney Scott. Dr. Scott will then review the assessments and further identify issues at hand to improve and build on the detoxification treatment plan.
How Long Does Alcohol Detox Last?
Typically the detoxification process lasts anywhere between 3 and 10 days depending on the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. Though, every individual reacts differently to the removal of alcohol, so the detoxification period will look and feel slightly different between individuals. There is no “cookie cutter” approach to the detoxification process. Every individual reacts differently. This is where the experienced medical team comes in to save the day! Through experience, our Medical staff at LA Valley Recovery have a keen sense for identifying certain aspects of the detoxification severity symptoms in order to properly manage the withdrawal period.
