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Alcohol detox entails ridding the body of excessive amounts of alcohol. It is the first step to recovering from alcoholism and alcohol abuse. However, it is not treatment by itself. It is only the first necessary phase in the long treatment process. Some alcoholics believe that alcohol detox is treatment because they receive care at a clinic and stay from one day to one week. They do not realize that this long process only rids the body of the alcohol that is currently in their system. Alcohol detox does not rid the person of eventual cravings for liquor.
The body gets rid of alcohol through breathing, the kidneys, and liver. It takes one hour to get rid of 0.5oz of alcohol or one 12oz can of beer. The higher the alcohol concentration in liquor, the longer it takes the body to get rid of it. As the body rids itself of alcohol, the blood alcohol concentration lowers until there is nothing left. However, during the period of high BAC, the body can go through several phases. Higher BAC is much more dangerous than lower BAC. A scale of 0.03-0.20% BAC can have a person feeling a range of emotions from euphoric, excited, or confused. BACs of 0.25-0.50% have more dangerous consequences like stupor, coma, or death. This is exactly why it is important to seek an alcohol detox center. It is imperative to stop the cycle of alcoholism before something dreadful happens.
Sadly, many alcoholics seek repeated alcohol detox and never receive follow up treatment to change their destructive behavior. Doctors say that these alcoholics have unrealistic and optimistic expectations of their ability to quit “this time”. They believe that alcohol is the answer to their sobriety, when it is only the first step on a long journey. Repeat alcohol detox patients do not realize that repeating this process numerous times is actually very dangerous to their bodies. Studies show that going through detoxification more than twice increases the intensity of withdrawal symptoms each time an alcoholic detoxifies. Withdrawal symptoms are already severe. They include nausea, shaking, nervousness and more. Increasing severity leads to convulsions, coma, or death. Therefore, alcoholics should join support groups, seek counseling, and possibly try one of the medications that curb alcohol cravings.
Alcohol detox and withdrawal is painful, but it is the only way to begin fully recovering from alcoholism. As long as there is a hint of alcohol in the body, the body will crave it more. These cravings are overwhelming and one cannot focus on recovery, because his mind is always on obtaining more liquor. Once a person decides to seek aftercare and proper treatment, he will be through with detoxification. He will have no need to become a repeat alcohol detox patient and suffer through the horrible effects of withdrawal.
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