subject: Steps Of Alcohol Detox [print this page] Alcohol detox is the first step of alcohol rehabilitation.
Some people have a bad view of an alcohol detox, they fear it consists of being locked away in a room until they are over their addiction but this is far from the truth. Medication is usually the administered as the norm in any detox centre as it is irresponsible not to because the withdrawal symptoms can be severe if not dealt with. The medication that is administered is gradually reduced through the detox process until eventually it is not administered at all.
The main differences between the types of care you receive in the detoxification process are the accommodation. In a fully residential setting all of the counselling rooms and private sleeping quarters are under one roof and in the detox stage many people find this comforting as there are always nursing staff checking in on the clients going through detox and administering medication at a designated medical bay.
Although many will find this comforting you may find that this wont suit your needs in the long run as it can sometimes remove you from a normal day to day setting. Mostly this type of detoxification is used for those with serious addiction problems and or other health issues associated with the detox process.
The other type of accommodation used in the detoxification process is that of a quasi residential treatment centre, this is where the main treatment centre and all of its counselling rooms and other amenities are separate from the actual living quarters. They are always within a ten minute walk of the main treatment centre sometimes opposite or next door.
And although many will find this scary having to walk back to a house after a day of counselling and therapy it is a good way to integrate yourself into normal living and not feel shut off from the outside world. The medication that you are administered with will be given in the morning, afternoon and before you go back to the living space. This is not mean that you are able to do as you please in these living spaces they have rules and a spot checker that comes around at different times to check on the inhabitants.
This also gets you to interact with different types of people that you have been going through the same treatment as yourself. You will usually find that the men and the women are given separate housing so to abide by the laws governing residential and quasi residential treatment.
As you are going through the detox programme you may feel wary and uneasy with yourself as it will be a new experience and a new setting. You will be forced into situations you may not have perceived yourself being in and you will be helped to deal with these issues, and learn new coping skills that will further your battle alcoholism. Also you will be interacting with people suffering from the same illness, and you will come to learn that they are all there for the same purpose and this will help you to see what can be achieved from an alcohol detox programme.
A alcohol detox programme however is only the first step in battling alcoholism the next step is an alcohol rehab programme that will further your endurance against alcoholism and give you the right motivation and experience to carry on your life free from addiction.
