Alcoholism is a condition that affects your physical health, your mental health, your relationships, and your life. You may have realized that alcohol detox is not an easy task, and the process of alcohol withdrawal can cause dangerous symptoms without medical assistance. This makes alcohol dependency harder to manage on your own.
Overcoming the grip of alcohol addiction can be challenging but if you’ve made the brave decision to quit drinking, there are 3 ways that you can safely detox from alcohol in Bedfordshire. In this guide we will explain the process of alcohol detoxification and the options available to you.
Alcohol addiction not only affects the person who is dependent on it but also has a negative impact on the lives of their families and loved ones. Because many people are also in denial about their drinking habits, it becomes more difficult to find help before it causes lasting and destructive effects on mental and physical health.
Alcohol is a depressant and over time, with frequent use, it can lead to chronic conditions such as hypertension, high risk of strokes and heart attacks, memory problems, and mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.
The best way forward from alcohol dependence is with detox but what does it entail and how can it help you or someone you care about?
Alcohol detox is the process of quitting the consumption of alcohol until the substance is no longer in the body. Attempting to detox without the support of a GP or a medical facility makes it difficult to cope with the effects of withdrawal from alcohol.
Detoxing helps you start with a clean slate, and it reduces the risk of suffering relapse when you have taken the initiative to work on your recovery and health. To understand the impact of withdrawal and the importance of finding the help that you need in Bedfordshire, we look at the nature of withdrawal symptoms and steps to overcome the complications of addiction.
When you drink heavily and for a long period, you build tolerance. This means that you have to drink more alcohol to experience the initial effects and to prevent the symptoms of withdrawal.
As you reduce the amount you drink or you quit alcohol altogether, your body experiences alcohol withdrawal which is not only uncomfortable but also life threatening. Fortunately, there are options for individuals who need help to achieve sobriety. For those affected by severe alcohol dependency, alcohol detox should be medically managed. Experienced staff or a trusted GP in Bedfordshire can help ease the discomfort caused by withdrawal but more importantly, it can safeguard against relapse and symptoms such as rapid heart rate, tremors, nausea, and Delirium Tremens.
Delirium Tremens is group of life-threatening symptoms including hallucinations, fever, paranoia, and seizures caused by alcohol withdrawal. It must be medically managed as without the proper professional treatment, DT can lead to heart attacks, stroke, and even death.
Source: Central Bedfordshire and Bedford City Council
Detox is a personal journey that requires perseverance and unconditional support from people who are in your corner. There are 3 ways to detox from alcohol safely which includes the assistance of a GP, via a residential rehab or detox facility, and a private home detox service. We explore the benefits and the limitations of these options so you can make an informed decision.
A residential detox or rehab facility offers the best chance of recovery and successful completion of detox programmes. As you remain in the facility 24/7, it eliminates distractions and triggers that could compromise the road to recovery. Residential rehabs are also fully equipped with certified staff who can immediately tend to the dangerous symptoms of withdrawal.
A major benefit of a residential rehab is the option to enter into treatment immediately after detox. It significantly increases your chances of maintaining sobriety as you work through therapeutic programmes to help you cope and prevent relapse. Outside of a rehab facility, even those with moderate cases of alcohol addiction may struggle to maintain an alcohol-free lifestyle.
While residential detox is a good option for those with access to funds, it can be expensive. The average cost for rehab in the UK is £1000 per week. For luxury rehabs, you’re looking at £5000 per week.
A private home detox service provides individuals with discretion and the chance to receive a caring, attentive, and supportive form of treatment in the comfort of home in Bedfordshire. The home detox starts with an assessment and includes a medically assisted detox overseen by experienced and qualified staff. The service includes telephone support to encourage you during difficult periods of withdrawal.
Professional and experienced staff work with you to provide a personalised and supervised detox, with the benefit of remaining at home in Bedfordshire close to friends and loved ones. It is also cheaper compared to residential rehabs and offers additional care and therapeutic support compared to detox with a GP.
Ensure that the private home detox services you are interested adhere to safety guidelines. This will ensure a trusted service is assigned to your circumstance to encourage the best possible recovery.
GP programmes for alcohol detox have grown astronomically in the last decade. With a GP assisted detox in Bedfordshire, patients are monitored every few days during the withdrawal period. Treatment usually involves medication to ease the symptoms of withdrawal but in rare instances a GP may refer you for an NHS detox at one of their appointed facilities.
While detox via a GP is convenient and less expensive than an inpatient programme, the risk for relapse remains high. This is because you do not have access to constant medical supervision and professional support. In difficult circumstances where symptoms become worse, you have to depend on your GP to be transferred to a more intensive detox and rehab facility.
Our home detox service is fully registered & compliant.
Alcohol addiction affects people from all walks of life and there is no shame in reaching out for the help that you need. Perhaps you want to quit using alcohol, but you don’t know where to go?
To pursue the right treatment options for your needs, you can learn more about our home detox service in Bedfordshire below
With the assistance of a sober coach or a companion, you receive personalised support during all stages of your recovery. The purpose of a sober coach is to help you maintain abstinence after completing detox or an intensive rehabilitation programme by managing stress, identifying triggers, incorporating a healthy lifestyle, and social skills.
Addiction therapy provided at home is meant to assist others in the process of recovery. Such programmes do not require one to remain at a residential rehab allowing one to continue your regular activities while receiving therapy and support for growth and recovery.
The symptoms of withdrawal can start hours after you quit drinking but generally lasts between 24 and 72 hours. Some people can experience withdrawal for weeks after detox; however, the intensity and the duration of symptoms during detox will be influenced by health issues, the period of alcohol dependency, and whether other substances are used.
The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be challenging but with rest, a balanced diet, and keeping hydrated, you can ease much of the stress that is placed on your mental and physical health. Practicing meditation and managing stress can help you cope and overcome addiction.
Because alcohol detox can lead to very uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, medication is used in treatment. Benzodiazepines are prescribed to reduce the possibility of seizures while slowing the activity of the central nervous system. This creates a relaxing effect on the mind and body while reducing symptoms such as muscle cramps and high levels of anxiety.
Owing to the nature of withdrawal and the severity of symptoms that you may experience during detox, it is best to take some time off to dedicate to your health and recovery.
