DryOutNow.com is a leading online provider of free medical information about alcoholism and drinking. This includes free medical information, research articles and news on alcohol and drinking related addictions to help inform professionals. The glossary style articles are one of a selection of news articles, academic research papers and information articles relating to addictive behaviour, and in particular to alcohol and drinking.

What is detox?

Detox refers to a process of cleansing the body from toxins. In the case of addictive alcohol use, medicated detox is essential both to relieve the discomfort of alcohol withdrawal and to prevent the occurrence of life-threatening problems that can arise during withdrawal. Physical addiction to alcohol is associated with the occurrence of alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as shakes, sweats, nausea, vomiting and delirium. Typically these symptoms will resolve by themselves after four days or so without detox. However, in the meantime serious complications such as epileptic fits, permanent severe memory damage and death may occur. Detox both minimizes the risk of such complications occurring, allows the patient to cease alcohol use comfortably, and prevents relapse to alcohol use during these vital first few days.

What does detox involve?

Detox for alcohol misuse involves the prescription of medication to replace the effect of alcohol on the brain or body. The medication prescribed is sedative medication, although this does not mean the patient is sent to sleep. Usually, the patient is fully awake during detox, although may be a little drowsy. Other medication is also prescribed during detox to control alcohol withdrawal symptoms as they occur, to help with sleep and to replace vitamin deficiencies which have built up over the years of drinking.

Does detox work?

Detox is not a cure for alcoholism. Detox merely allows a person with an alcohol problem to cease alcohol use safely and comfortably. After completion of detox, the person must start to learn the skills to avoid relapse to alcohol use. Learning these skills involves psychological treatment, which can be delivered either as an inpatient (rehab) or as an outpatient (counseling). Essentially, detox is about stopping alcohol use and rehab or counseling is all about ‘staying stopped’.

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