Alcohol Detox In Orange County
Alcohol addiction is one of the biggest addiction problems worldwide. It is estimated that 5% of the world’s population is addicted to alcohol. In global terms that means that 350 million people worldwide have an alcohol problem. So, if you, or someone you know has an alcohol addiction then you are not alone.
The good news is that there is a lot of help for someone suffering from alcoholism, but the first step is recognizing and admitting there is a problem and finding the motivation and will power to do something about it. In Southern Calfornia, there are several highly regarded Orange County detox centers.
If you are in any doubt about whether you or someone you know has a drinking problem then take this simple test HERE.
How To Find Help The Right Way
The first thing anyone with an alcohol problem must do is to seek medical help and advice. To stop drinking alcohol abruptly can be very dangerous and can lead to medical complications and can be life threatening. The most dangerous complications are DTs(delirium tremens) and seizures caused by acute alcohol withdrawal. The death rate from seizures and DTs which are typically characterized by fever, elevated heart rate, and confusion has been estimated to be between 1% to 5%.
There are many treatments to reduce these risks from the proper medical services such as alcohol detoxification using prescribed drugs such as Diazepam or Chlordiazepoxide (Librium). Properly accredited rehab centers in Orange County have licensed physicians to ensure the client is medically safe. They also have licensed psychologists to ensure the client is psychically protected. A standard detoxification from alcohol would normally involve a Diazepam or Librium reduction program where the patient is started at a high doze and gradually reduced every few days over a period of weeks until the physical withdrawal symptoms are gone.
The length of the reduction detox can range from 2-4 weeks as an in-patient within a hospital setting or 6-12 weeks as part of a home detox program. The reason for the difference in lengths of each is because an in-patient detox will involve a stay in hospital or clinic where there will be 24 hour medical and nursing supervision and a home detox will be more gradual as the patient will normally be self medicating at home with regular visits to see medical and nursing staff in community medical clinics or home visits.
How Does Alcohol Detox Work?
The method of detoxification and exact dosage and length of a detox will vary from person to person depending on various factors such as physical health and severity of addiction.
During an alcohol detoxification a patient will not only receive medication to combat the withdrawals, they will also receive other medications like Pabrinex and thiamine. These are concentrated vitamin supplements to combat the effects and damage alcohol abuse has done to the brain. Pabrinex is normally prescribed as a five day inter-muscular injection while thiamine is taken orally in pill form. Normally after detox has finished thiamine will continue being prescribed.
Re-hydration and nourishment will also be a factor during detoxification as it is very common for a person suffering from alcoholism to be under nourished and dehydrated by the alcohol abuse.
