If you are addicted to alcohol, quitting can mean alcohol detox. This means that when the alcohol is leaving your system, there can be medical problems. Many people can experience withdrawal at home with mild symptoms that include headache, some tremors, nausea, and irritability.
A person who has been consuming large amounts of alcohol for a long period of time can experience severe withdrawal symptoms such as seizures and even death.
How do I know If I need an alcohol detox?
Detox is best for dependent drinkers for whom it's very difficult to stop drinking due to withdrawal symptoms.
Some symptoms are:
Difficulty sleeping, Anxiety, Vomiting or Retching, Sweating and Shaking
Withdrawal can prove to be dangerous and even life-threatening. For drinkers who are less dependent, it's not always dangerous to stop drinking immediately. A detox is the best way to stop drinking if you suffer insomnia, fear, panic, and anxiety so much that you can't put up with it.
Consult a Doctor
A doctor can prescribe medications that can make the withdrawal symptoms much more manageable or recommend hospitalization if it appears the symptoms could become serious. Hospitals and special detox centers are well equipped to deal with any and all medical problems that can occur during the process of withdrawal. There is no reason for a person to suffer during withdrawal from alcohol or any other drug . Gone are the days when someone expected an alcoholic or addict to detox without medication to help with symptoms. Many people even sleep through the initial phases of detox.
Many people are hospitalized for only two to three days to complete the initial detox treatment and then go on to other programs or simply return home to receive therapy on an outpatient setting or to recover on their own. While in detox, a social welfare or alcohol rehabilitation specialist will generally visit the patient to discuss therapeutic options that are available.