Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment at Dr Vorobjev Clinic
In this text, we will explain what alcohol withdrawal treatment consists of, why it is a vital component of our therapy, and how it can help you overcome alcohol addiction.
What Is Alcohol Withdrawal?
Alcohol dependence withdrawal includes a series of negative symptoms and effects that appear once a person with addiction stops the consumption of this substance. In those situations, the body relies on the presence of alcohol to maintain the hormonal and chemical balance in the brain. Once it gets removed, the effects of alcohol withdrawal begin to appear, ranging from mild to moderate and even severe in some cases.
How Long Does Alcohol Withdrawal Last?
During the first couple of hours into the abstinence, most people only experience a craving for alcohol. The side effects of alcohol begin to show up after about 6 hours, and the most challenging effects are noticeable in the first couple of days.
In most cases, most symptoms subside after the initial 7 days. However, those who have not undergone a complete treatment will be more prone to relapse. If that happens, a person once again falls into the alcohol trap, and every time this happens, the withdrawal effects become stronger and stronger.
Who Is at Risk of Severe Withdrawal Symptoms?
Individuals who have been prone to heavy drinking for extended periods or those who have developed a partial tolerance to alcohol are at the biggest risk. Similarly, those who already attempted to abstain from alcohol and who have suffered from withdrawal are more likely to experience the same effects again.
Individuals who struggle with various health conditions or those who abuse other psychoactive substances can also experience complex issues when attempting to abstain from alcohol. Lastly, adolescents or elderly people who have a problem with alcoholism are also considered at risk. Therefore, people who struggle with addiction should always sign up for treatment and perform alcohol withdrawal in hospital, where the negative symptoms can be contained.
Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms & What to Expect
The signs that point out that an alcohol withdrawal syndrome treatment is mandatory may change during the first week of abstinence. That is because the symptoms can change suddenly, which is why we insist on inpatient treatment at our alcohol withdrawal treatment. Now, we will take a look at the withdrawal effects that appear during the first week of abstinence.
Early Symptoms (6-12 Hours)
Withdrawal symptoms of alcohol usually appear during the initial 6 to 12 hours following the latest consumption. Here is what you can expect during that time span:
- Unease
- Nervousness
- Irritability
- Sweating
- Headaches
- Urge to consume alcohol
Peak Symptoms (24-72 Hours)
The symptoms usually escalate during this time span, where a person usually struggles the most. These are the effects that appear in that phase:
- Severe anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Nausea and vomiting
- High blood pressure
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
Late-Stage Symptoms (Up to a Week)
Even after the symptoms begin to slightly subside in intensity, the negative effects can still persist. In the first week, they gradually decrease, but without proper treatment, they can still appear from time to time. At that time, you can expect the following:
- Confusion
- Increased heart rate
- High fever
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Depression
Severe Withdrawal – When Is It Dangerous?
Alcohol addiction can be extremely dangerous because of the high probability of complications that may occur during sudden abstinence. First of all, if the symptoms become so severe that you find them difficult to cope with, you should always seek medical help. If left untreated, the withdrawal symptoms can quickly escalate, resulting in serious medical complications. Delirium tremens is a life-threatening condition that may develop, usually within the first 72 hours of abstinence, so special care is needed during this time.
Do not wait for the negative symptoms to escalate. React on time and do not let alcohol control your life anymore. We are here to help you at any time.
How Is Alcohol Withdrawal Treated?
The first goal of our alcohol withdrawal treatment is to remove all of the negative symptoms and restore the natural processes in the body. This can be achieved through detoxification. During this procedure, patients receive therapy that utilizes medical devices to help alleviate unwanted symptoms, restore the chemical balance in the brain and eliminate the toxins from the body. Doctors prescribe the necessary medication to help the patients along, and the correct dosage is determined upon looking at the patient’s medical history. By taking all of these measurements, the recovery process becomes much more straightforward.
Medical vs. At-Home Detox – What’s the Best Choice?
At-home detox is only possible if a person has constant help from medical experts. As this is usually not the case, the preferred method includes hospital treatments. With all the available medical devices and a safe environment far from any outside distractions, patients can focus on themselves and achieve their goals, which is always a life without alcohol addiction. Our medical team will follow them along this journey, helping them to reach life without addiction in the safest way possible.
Ultimately, we are aware that most of our patients first try to impose a self-detox, but for many, this experience can be very traumatizing. When detoxification does not work out, people who are addicted to alcohol can lose motivation to even try, and many also develop a fear of withdrawal symptoms. With proper medical treatment, all of these issues are resolved, and maintaining sobriety is much safer and easier in the long term.
Hospital or Rehab? Choosing the Right Setting
We always insist on inpatient treatment for alcohol addiction because practice has shown that this method is the safest option and the success rates of patients who undergo these treatments are much higher. Our alcohol withdrawal clinic focuses only on the treatment of addictive disorders, and our medical team consists of established professionals who undergo constant education on the latest procedures so that we can elevate our levels of service even further.
Regular hospitals can also help, but the recovery that uses traditional treatment programs that are not created for each specific individual takes longer and requires more effort and dedication. Therefore, the success rates can also be significantly lower, but even the general hospital settings are a much safer choice compared to self-rehab, which should be avoided as it is neither safe nor effective.
Medications Used in Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment
In order to provide help with alcohol withdrawal, our medical staff prescribes different forms of therapy, including the use of medication. Here are the most common ones:
- Benzodiazepines
- Beta-blockers
- Anticonvulsants
- Antipsychotics
- Vitamins and electrolytes
- Opioid blockers
Determining the appropriate dosage and the type of medication can only be done upon a detailed medical examination and a look at the patient’s medical history. Even then, it is necessary to monitor the administration of therapy and the patient’s condition during the treatment, which is one of the reasons why inpatient treatment is mandatory in our facility.
Alcohol Detox & Managing Withdrawal at a Medical Facility
Our doctors will show you how to ease alcohol addiction withdrawal symptoms by implementing various procedures created to suit the individual needs of each patient. To achieve that, doctors who work at our clinic monitor the state of each patient during every phase of treatment. This allows us to precisely determine the everyday progress our patients are able to achieve and lets us know when therapy needs to be modified in order to manage withdrawal symptoms or treat the existing conditions that can co-exist or be caused by alcohol addiction.
What Happens During a Medically Supervised Detox?
The goal of detoxification for alcohol withdrawal in hospital is to eliminate all toxins and traces of psychoactive chemicals from the body in the quickest and safest way possible. To achieve that, we rely on the use of various medical devices, pharmacotherapy, and constant monitoring. By employing all of these preventive measurements our patients can go through a painless detox.
How Long Does Alcohol Detox Take?
When it comes to alcohol dependence withdrawal effects can be safely removed through detoxification in 2-5 days, depending on how well the patient is responding to therapy. However, in order to fully overcome the desire to consume alcohol, additional therapy is required. Our approach relies on personalized treatments that significantly reduce the time of recovery. In total, the inpatient treatment at our clinic can be completed in 10 to 28 days.
IV Fluids, Monitoring, and Supportive Care
Different procedures can help with the alcohol withdrawal process by alleviating the negative symptoms that come with it. Intravenous therapy is one form of treatment that can have a significant impact on recovery. Patients receive nutrients that can be directly absorbed by the body, which leads to the regeneration of natural processes that were delayed due to addiction.
Constant monitoring and supportive care are also provided to our patients, as the staff of Dr Vorobjev clinic is always present to administer the therapy and make sure that recovery is going according to plans.
How to Support Someone Going Through Alcohol Withdrawal
We are aware of how a realization that your loved one is struggling with addiction can be devastating. Still, it is important to know that with a state such as alcohol dependence withdrawal symptoms can be terrifying, painful, and difficult to cope with. At that time, support from loved ones is a crucial element of recovery. Finding expert help is the next step, as the appropriate treatment for alcohol withdrawal will eliminate the negative effects while also guiding a person to a better life without alcohol.
Our medical advisors are here for you, so don’t be afraid to call us for more information on how you can help your loved ones overcome alcohol addiction.
What are the first signs of alcohol withdrawal?
Developing an alcohol addiction usually takes some time, but for people who are prone to heavy drinking, it can also happen in a matter of weeks. We already talked about the signs of alcohol withdrawal, but how can you know that you have developed a problem before it escalates? Shaky hands, excessive sweating, and tremors are usually the first symptoms that appear. The frequent desire to consume alcohol is also one of the reasons for worry, and the mood swings without alcohol become more present as the addiction starts to grow.
How to safely detox from alcohol?
With a complete medical detox, the negative effects of alcohol withdrawal are controlled, which guarantees patient safety. Additionally, during the procedure, all vital parameters are monitored, and any irregularities or side effects can be recognized and eliminated so that patients can continue with the alcohol withdrawal treatment with no obstacles. That is why signing up for therapy at an alcohol withdrawal clinic is the most recommended method.
How to prevent relapse after detox?
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle after the alcohol withdrawal rehab is complete can be challenging for many people. Developing a strategy to avoid relapse is especially vital during the first 12 months following the treatment. That is why we rely on medication that blocks the effects of alcohol, that all our patients receive after inpatient treatment.
However, constant prevention and regular sessions with psychotherapists are also recommended. Our patients also receive additional counseling for a year post-treatment, with monthly checkups. All of these steps ensure maximum safety and significantly reduce the risks of relapse.
Dr Vorobjev Clinic – the right place to begin your recovery
In an internationally renowned clinic for the treatment of addictive disorders, we can help you eliminate all withdrawal symptoms of alcohol. However, we do not consider this to be our end goal. Instead, with every patient, our mission is to help you achieve complete stability and feel in control without any desire to go back to alcohol consumption.
Not only will we show you how to ease alcohol withdrawal, but we will also empower you to create defensive mechanisms against relapse and develop an aversion toward alcohol. With these tools by your side, you will be able to return to your life and restart your life as if addiction never happened.
FAQ
Is alcohol detox painless?
With our modern procedures, alcohol withdrawal protocol becomes completely pain-free. Additionally, the success rates of this form of treatment are much higher compared to traditional therapy.
Can I cure my addiction through detoxification?
Although detoxification is an integral part of treatment, to achieve complete recuperation, other procedures that focus on regeneration and the mental aspect of addiction need to be implemented as well.
Where to search for help with alcohol withdrawal?
Finding a rehabilitation center that understands your needs can be difficult, but at Dr Vorobjev Clinic we are always here to help. Call our medical advisors today and arrange a free consultation where you can find out how you can get the treatment you need.
Clinic Dr. Vorobjev offers effective treatments for overcoming addiction to narcotics, alcohol and gambling.
