An overview of in-patient alcohol detox

One of the more common stages involved in the process of alcohol addiction treatment and recovery is the detoxification stage. The in-patient alcohol detox is the most crucial stage of the process and is considered the most unpleasant one as well. This is also a critical stage that the alcoholic must undergo if they want to make the necessary changes in their behavior and their lives in order to remain clean and sober.

The primary obstacles to undergoing in-patient alcohol detox

In some instances, certain obstacles prevent the individual from entering an in-patient alcohol detox. The following are the top 3 obstacles to undergoing this stage of the alcohol addiction treatment and recovery process:

The fear of going through withdrawal – one of the characteristics of the detoxification stage is the withdrawal symptoms that the individual has to deal with. This can be very unpleasant and in some instances acts as a deterrent to undergoing the detox process. The in-patient alcohol detox stage will last about a week depending on the severity of the person’s addiction while the withdrawal symptoms will typically peak in about 3 to 4 days.

There are usually six common withdrawal symptoms that individuals with a severe alcohol addiction typically experience when they undergo in-patient alcohol detox:

• anxiety
• blackouts and seizures
• chills and fever
• cravings for alcohol
• depression
• restlessness

Financial issues – in some cases, the individual does not have the financial means to pay for the addiction treatment and recovery program of which the in-patient alcohol detox stage is a part of this. They just don’t have the funds to pay for the program nor do they have an insurance policy that covers it.

Waiting lists – where some in-patient alcohol detox programs are concerned, the waiting lists to get into them can be quite lengthy especially when the programs are federally or state funded or sponsored. When the waiting lists becomes this lengthy, it means that the individual who is suffering with their dependency may have to wait too long to get the help they need and may risk their condition becoming fatal.

Tips for detox success

The following are the 4 most important tips to consider when you are undergoing in-patient alcohol detox and want to be successful at it:

• don’t panic when withdrawal symptoms begin
• eat and exercise properly in order to start getting healthier
• listen to the staff members and don’t fight the program
• maintain a good attitude and try to stay positive

For more information on the in-patient alcohol detox program that is conducted here at the Freedom Center, please call the toll-free phone number listed above.