Medically Assisted Alcohol Detox in Houston
What Is Medically Assisted Alcohol Detox?
Alcohol addiction is one of the few substance use disorders that can cause severe and dangerous withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop use. Undertaking alcohol detox on your own is often met with failure because of early relapse as well. Fortunately, medical detox programs can help you go through early withdrawals and cravings easily and safely. An alcohol detox center in Houston provides around-the-clock medical care from a team of highly skilled doctors and nurses and medication-assisted treatment that will reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Medical detox will use FDA-approved medications to relieve alcohol withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Your detox program will be supervised by highly skilled physicians and nurses who can monitor your vitals around the clock to ensure the withdrawal process is going as planned, administer medications to soothe uncomfortable symptoms and deliver life-saving medical care in the case of an emergency. Residing at a detox center will greatly improve your chances of completing the alcohol withdrawal process by allocating a controlled environment away from triggers, influences, and temptations which often lead to an early relapse.
Top Alcohol Detox Center in Houston
When seeking the best alcohol detox center in Houston, there are several qualities to look for that will indicate an exceptional treatment facility, such as:
- Individualized Care – The best alcohol detox centers in Houston will have personalized treatment plans. Every person’s experience with alcohol addiction is unique, and an alcohol abuse treatment program that works will be flexible to the person’s needs and how they respond to treatment.
- Staff Credentials – Medical detox is a delicate service that should be administered by appropriately trained individuals. Staff should have relevant certifications, credentials, and licenses.
- Use of Evidence-Based Practices and Medications – The treatment facility should never promise a miracle medication that will cure your alcohol addiction but will have evidence-based therapies and FDA-approved medications to manage symptoms.
- Third-Party Accreditations – The top treatment facilities in Houston are accredited by third-party organizations such as the Joint Commission Accreditation for Addiction Treatment (JCAHO) or the Commission on Accreditation of Rehab Facilities (CARF). This is a general sign that the detox center is operating according to the highest standards.
Begins with a Thorough Evaluation. An effective treatment program will begin with a thorough physical and psychological evaluation to determine our treatment program needs and create a recovery plan that is tailored to the individual.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Alcohol withdrawal happens after your body has become physically dependent on it. This will happen after an extended period of continued alcohol abuse and changes the way the brain works. Alcohol use will produce the calming neurotransmitter GABA. Your brain eventually produces less GABA and more chemicals to keep you awake, so when you stop drinking your brain cannot catch up, and you begin to feel the effects of chemical imbalances. Alcohol withdrawals range from mild to severe depending on the longevity and intensity of your substance abuse. When alcohol abuse is severe enough, it can lead to dangerous and life-threatening withdrawals referred to as Delirium Tremens (DT). Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Insomnia and nightmares
- Jumpiness
- Headaches
- Tremors
- Digestive issues, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Dilated pupils
- Loss of appetite
Around 10% of people experience severe and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms when detoxing, which include:
- Severe sweating
- Fast breathing
- Fever
- Mental confusion
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
Experiencing serious symptoms when detoxing from alcohol, or delirium tremens, required immediate medical care. Medical detox programs will administer medications such as benzodiazepines and antipsychotics to prevent these symptoms, and they can also quickly act in the case of a medical emergency.
Alcohol Detox Process
Every person will experience alcohol detox differently depending on several factors including overall health, the length of their addiction, and the amount they consume. Upon admission, a team of clinicians will thoroughly evaluate your psychological and physical medical history to create an individualized treatment plan. You will then be given a tour of the facility and checked into your room where you will be monitored 24/7 by medical staff to ensure your safety and given medications as withdrawal symptoms come up. Part of the detox process includes individual and group therapy to help you through this difficult process emotionally and psychologically.
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Medications Used to Ease Alcohol Detox Symptoms
Medications are often the first line of treatment to address alcohol withdrawals. You may also be given vitamins and IV fluids to treat dehydration and nutrient deficiencies, which can help your body self-heal more quickly. FDA-approved medications for alcohol withdrawals include:
- Benzodiazepines – Medications like Valium, diazepam, and Xanax are used to prevent seizures and anxiety during alcohol detox.Anticonvulsants- Keppra and Klonopin are some anticonvulsants used to prevent seizures.
- Antipsychotics – Examples used include Risperdal, Seroquel, and Abilify, which treat hallucinations, paranoia, and delusions.
- Acamprosate – An FDA-approved medication that reduces the brain’s dependence on alcohol by reacting to the neurotransmitter systems.
- Buprenorphine – Primarily used in opioid or opiate detox, it is also used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for alcohol abuse to diminish the effects of physical dependency.
- Disulfiram – Often used during alcohol detox and long-term alcohol recovery, it interferes with the body’s ability to break down alcohol. It is designed to cause severe physical effects if the person consumes alcohol while on it.
- Naltrexone – Use in medical detox and long-term treatment because it blocks the euphoric effects of alcohol and reduces cravings.
- Antiadrenergic agents – These medications inhibit epinephrine and norepinephrine signals and are used during medical detox to treat withdrawal symptoms of alcohol, opiates, and benzodiazepines.
How Long Is Alcohol Detox?
Most people will complete the alcohol detox process between 5 to 10 days. Although everyone will experience a different withdrawal timeline, a general idea of what to expect in each phase goes as follows:
- First Stage: mild alcohol withdrawal starts within 6 hours of having your last drink and lasts up to 7 days.
- Second Stage: those who experience serious symptoms, including seizures, come on within 48 hours after the last drink. Withdrawal symptoms will peak around 24 to 72 hours.
- Third Stage: those who develop delirium tremens will happen between 48 to 72 hours after the last drink and withdrawal symptoms can last for 2 to 3 days but may linger for up to a week.
- Fourth Stage: Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) may happen to some people, and they will experience mild, lingering symptoms for weeks or months after quitting. PAWS symptoms can include trouble sleeping and mood problems.
Alcohol Detox at Novo Detox
Novo Detox offers top-rated alcohol detox to Houston Texas residents. Our personalized medical detox programs are based on your Bio-Genetic metabolic profile, which assists us in determining if you are a rapid, normal, or poor metabolizer. Your Bio-Genetic metabolic profile can help us determine which medications are most effective for you. We also provide 24/7 medical care and several holistic methods to enhance your body’s ability to detox, such as vegetable and fruit juices and smoothies, organic, healthy meals, acupuncture, herbology counseling, reflexology, Qi Gong, detox massages, yoga, and meditation.
Novo Detox also offers inpatient alcohol rehab to continue your recovery efforts after medical detox. We will also provide discharge planning to assist in aftercare planning, including outpatient programs and sober living arrangements. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, medical detox at Novo Detox can help build a strong recovery foundation and get you on the right path to recovery. Please do not hesitate to contact us at (844) 834-1777 today.
