The Perils of Improper Alcohol Detox
Alcohol detoxification is the treatment method of choice for most alcoholics. This is because alcohol withdrawal syndrome, the set of symptoms that accompany the sudden stoppage of alcohol intake, can be quite intense, and is feared by many alcoholics who have experienced it before. The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome can range from mild to severe and usually peak about 48 hours into the withdrawal phase. The reason for the appeal of alcohol detoxification to alcoholics is that alcohol detox primarily seeks to suppress the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal by using drugs that replicate alcohol’s effect on the body. The main goal of a good detox program is to gradually ease the body into freedom from alcohol dependence by “tricking” it into thinking that it is still on alcohol long after the individual’s last intake of alcohol.
There are some things that you should be aware of if you are seriously contemplating alcohol detox. For one, alcohol detoxification is never a guarantee that you will not experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms. An estimated 90% of all alcoholics experience some symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome no matter what type of alcohol detox treatment they opt for. Yes, the drugs used in alcohol detoxification can help to alleviate or even eliminate the symptoms, but you should never delude yourself into thinking that you will not undergo alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Simply put, alcohol withdrawal syndrome is part and parcel of becoming an alcoholic. You might consider it as a reentry rite into the world of the non-alcohol-dependent. Exactly how long do alcohol withdrawal symptoms last? This is a question that can best be answered by your physician after a thorough examination of your current physical condition and medical history. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome typically lasts for about 3-5 days on average. The symptoms may be experienced by severely alcoholic individuals within a few hours after the sudden stoppage of alcohol intake regardless of any medical treatment.
