The Benefits of a Medically Supervised Detox


Published On: September 5, 2018

medical-alcohol-detox

The mere thought of undergoing a ‘medically supervised’ detox at a residential rehab clinic may be enough to evoke anxiety.

Please rest assure because the level of care you will receive in this environment is unsurpassed. Modern rehabs offering a medically assisted detox are comparable, for the most part, to private hotels and retreats but with their own unique twist.

Undergoing a medically assisted detox is a necessity if you find yourself physically addicted to drugs such as alcohol or opiates.

If you have attempted to withdraw from alcohol in the past, then you will know that doing so brings with it a range of physically and psychologically disturbing and painful withdrawal symptoms. Medication taken during an alcohol detox helps to significantly reduce these symptoms.

What are these physical withdrawal symptoms?

Some of these physical withdrawal symptoms are potentially deadly. Thus, it’s never recommended that you attempt to detox at home without medical supervision. Undergoing an alcohol detox without medical supervision could result in death.

Below, we list some of the symptoms linked to an alcohol detox:

  • Nausea
  • Shaking
  • Sweating
  • Sleeplessness
  • Extreme Anxiety and Agitation
  • Depression and Suicidal Thoughts
  • Vomiting
  • Confusion and Delirium
  • Seizures
  • Dizziness
  • Coma and Death

What helps to reduce these symptoms?

When you undertake a medically supervised alcohol detox from the safety of a rehab clinic, you will be given a range of medications. These medications help to reduce the above symptoms. Also, you will benefit from round-the-clock medical attention. This is important because this means your withdrawal symptoms will be tended to if they begin to pose a threat to your well-being.

What happens before my detox begins?

Before a medically supervised detox begins, you will be assessed by a psychiatrist. This psychiatric assessment helps to identify all underlying mental and physical health issues that must be addressed during your wider rehabilitation programme.

The psychiatrist will tailor a detox plan to suit your needs. This detox plan will factor in your age and your state of physical and mental health. The rehab clinic’s staff will then implement this detox plan over the next 7-10 days. An alcohol detox typically requires around 7-10 days to complete.

Putting your mind at rest

If you haven’t undergone a medical detox in the past, you may be slightly nervous about this entire affair. However, we believe you truly do not have anything to fear because you will be in safe hands throughout the process. Undergoing a medically assisted detox is undoubtedly the safest way to re-adjust to an alcohol or drug-free existence.

Once you begin to regain your strength, you will be expected to attend group and individual therapy sessions. You will be introduced to the 12-step programme and you will also benefit from holistic and relaxation therapies. When it comes to rehab, detox truly is the first in a long list of steps that are set up to assist you in your recovery goals.

Getting help today

Rehab 4 Alcoholism is a specialist helpline set up to help those who are effective by alcoholism. Because alcoholism is a physical addiction, it’s important to undertake a detox with medical supervision. This level of care is offered at an alcohol rehab clinic.

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