Coping with Alcohol Detox Symptoms
July 28th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Coping with Alcohol Detox Symptoms
Alcoholism is a widespread epidemic throughout the world in both young and old alike. Often, alcoholism is not detected in a person because “that’s just the way he/she has always been.” There are thousands of so-called “functioning alcoholics” who go unsuspected day by day because of their ability to do their jobs and participate in every-day activities.
Yet, they still rely heavily on alcohol and in fact, feel they cannot live without it. Fighting alcoholism is a life-long battle for many, and for those who have overcome it, it is a struggle they do not take lightly. Many even continue to be involved in some form of support group throughout their lives.
Typical Alcohol Detox Symptoms
While alcoholism is sometimes difficult to spot, the detox symptoms of alcohol are not so subtle. For the struggling alcoholic trying desperately to leave his addiction behind, many symptoms of withdrawal begin to manifest themselves. Some people experience tremors with which they involuntarily begin to shake and cannot control their movements. These tremors make it difficult to hold something in their hands and are noticeable to others. Abdominal pain or vomiting may be experienced as another symptom of alcohol detox. This can occur as the body is trying to cleanse itself of harmful toxins which have been stored.
It could also be psychosomatic symptoms because of the emotional pain of leaving the alcohol behind. Overwhelming anger can sneak up on an alcoholic when it is least expected and seem quite violent at the time. This can even surprise the alcoholic person as it seems to come from nowhere.
Overcoming Symptoms of Alcohol Detox
The key to overcoming the symptoms of alcohol detox lie in identifying the issues underneath the addiction. Support groups are a tremendously important therapy for an alcoholic. One way to come to terms with the addiction is to talk openly and honestly with others who have been through it, or who are currently struggling. Emotional support from family and friends is extremely beneficial as well. These support systems are an indispensable therapy for recovery.
Another way to help lessen the symptoms of alcohol detox is with medications and nutritional therapies. For example, research has shown that vitamin B6 seems to be deficient in many alcoholics, and supplementation helps with alcohol cravings. Through trained professionals, support groups, medical and alternative therapies, sheer willpower and motivation, there is hope of overcoming this destructive disease.
The Benefits of Doing Alcohol Detox at Home
May 16th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
There are many reasons why some people prefer to do alcohol detox at home and many reasons why other people prefer to do it in the traditional way—in a rehab center. Some of the benefits of going to detox in a typical residential facility are that you get to be around other people who are going through the same things in detox as you are and that there are no bottles of liquor around that you have to resist.
On the one hand, these benefits of traditional rehab centers make detox there easier, but they also make it easier to fall back into old habits when you go home again. Doing alcohol detox at home is one way to help prevent yourself from falling back into your old habits.
Difficulties of At-Home Alcohol Detox
Alcohol detox is hard and there is no exception to that rule. Detox from anything is difficult, not just from alcohol; detox diets are also difficult although they are not often compared to drug and alcohol detox. Since detox is so hard, some people find it easier to endure if they can go through their detox program at home, for alcohol or for something else.
Being in the comfort of your own home can make detox seem like a less painful process. On the other hand, take your habits into consideration as there are many kinds of drinkers. If you are the kind of drinker who drinks at home every night, at-home alcohol detox may be near to impossible for you.
Habitual drinking occurs in different people with different patterns, so you’ll want to take your own habits and patterns into account when deciding if you should try doing alcohol detox at home. Though it might be more difficult for some to abstain from drinking when doing detox at home instead of in a rehab center, there are added benefits. If you are able to change your habits at home, the probability that you will find yourself abusing alcohol again in the future is lowered.
This is because your habit alteration will change in your natural environment. One of the toughest things about rehab facilities is that when you go home you have a really hard time staying on your rehab center habits. If you’ve done your alcohol detox at home in the first place, you’re already readjusted to the ‘real world’.
