Why is Alcohol Detox Instrumental to Recovery?
Detoxification from alcohol is the first step on the path toward recovery. An alcohol detox means completely stopping the consumption of any alcohol, which can be a challenging process. Withdrawal symptoms may be physical as well as psychological, so it’s important that alcohol detox is performed in a licensed treatment center. Although alcohol detox can result in severe symptoms, recovery can’t begin until the body can physically cope without the substance.
Detox Rids the Body of Toxins
Alcohol detoxification performs the important task of ridding the body of toxins. Alcohol, in large or consistent doses, functions as a type of poison to the human body. Patients who are addicted to alcohol may suffer from anemia, cardiovascular problems or cirrhosis of the liver, among many other medical ailments. From a purely physiological standpoint, it’s vital that these toxins are removed from the body. Only then can patients begin to receive physical and psychological alcohol addiction treatment to break free.
Functioning Without Alcohol
On a psychological level, an alcohol detox can show patients suffering from an addiction that life doesn’t end when dependence on alcohol does. For those who have been addicted to alcohol for months, years or even decades, realizing that life goes on without alcohol can be enlightenment that provides the needed motivation to move toward recovery.
24/7 Monitoring Throughout Withdrawal
Going cold turkey is very different from a medically supervised alcohol detoxification. Stopping all alcohol consumption at once on your own can lead to drastic withdrawal symptoms, many of which can be potentially harmful to the body. That’s why a supervised detox is so important. At Stepping Stone Center for Recovery, patients in an alcohol detox can be monitored around the clock, offering physical and psychological treatment throughout. Being in a safe environment, and knowing that they’re medically safe, eases patients through their detox and offers some peace of mind about the process.
Medications Can Mitigate Discomfort During Alcohol Withdrawal
Going through withdrawal can be challenging, but alcohol detoxification with medical supervision can make it much easier. That’s because medical professionals are able to administer barbiturates and benzodiazepines, both of which can be crucial to reducing pain and increasing comfort during the initial cessation of alcohol consumption. Additional prescription medications may be available to deal with cardiac symptoms or any other discomfort that arises during detox. Detoxifying from alcohol is necessary if you wish to be physically, emotionally and psychologically ready for addiction recovery. Participating in a medically supervised alcohol detoxification program at Stepping Stone Center for Recovery can be the way to finally rid yourself of addiction and begin your successful recovery. Call us today at 866-957-7298 for more information.
