How to Support Someone Going Through Alcohol Detox

Understanding Detox

Alcohol detox is a serious medical procedure: it is not just taking some pills.

It can be an extremely challenging time for both the person undergoing it and those supporting them.

Alcohol withdrawal can lead to a range of symptoms. While a medication assisted detox can alleviate many of the symptoms (and can be lifesaving) some symptoms will persist.

Cravings are one of the more significant issues when someone is detoxing from alcohol. While there are some medications that can reduce them it is only with the right support that people can manage them.

Supporting Someone Through Alcohol Detox

Recognizing and Understanding Alcohol Withdrawal

Timeline and Symptoms

Alcohol works on receptors in your brain.

It will make you feel euphoric. It will make you feel relaxed.

After a time, the brain adjusts to the presence of alcohol. If you suddenly stop drinking, the brain can not cope with the immediate change and incorrect chemical messages are fired across the body: This is what causes the symptoms known as alcohol withdrawal.

It only takes a few hours after your last drink before symptoms will start to show.

Depending on your genetics, how much you have been drinking (and for how long) will determine when the symptoms will start.

Ordinarily, you can expect to see some signs after 4-6 hours. For some it will be sooner and others, much longer. But come they will.

Most of the time some of the earlier signs are tremors in the hands (shakes) as well as feeling sick, dry retching and headaches.

These can, for some, go away by themselves. However, it is extremely dangerous to try and find out if this would be the case.

As time goes on, the symptoms will get worse.

Within a day or two, hallucinations and seizures can follow. One seizure, alone, can be fatal.

Following this, delirium can occur which, left untreated, has a very high mortality rate.

Supporting Someone Through Alcohol Detox

Physical and Psychological Difficulties

It is not only the physical problems that make alcohol withdrawal very difficult but also the psychological ones.

Nausea, vomiting, lack of sleep, muscle cramps are common.

Alcohol is a depressant, yet when you stop your mood will drop: Fast.

The anxiety you used alcohol to supress will become unmanageable. You will become very irritable and the cravings for alcohol will be all encompassing.

Strategies For Supporting Alcohol Withdrawal

What are the recommended strategies for supporting someone detoxing from alcohol?

To be forearmed is to be forewarned.

If you are fully aware of what to do, what to expect and how to deal with your own stress and emotions, you will be in a much better place to support someone.

The most important aspect is communication: Open and honest communication.

If the person you are supporting can share their feelings, fears and anxieties with you, the process becomes much safer.

By providing a supportive environment, you can significantly reduce the stress your loved one may experience. The lower the stress the higher the chances of success.

Reducing noise, providing healthy snacks. Making the environment as calm as possible.

Your loved one may be having a detox at home or has just returned from residential rehab: Your input is just as important and the skills required are the same.

Being aware of when you need to seek professional help is essential. Having the contact number for the clinician supervising home treatment or the contact details for the aftercare service at the rehab is essential.

Ensuring that your loved one continues with getting support, post detox, is imperative. It could be weekly individual sessions with an addictions therapist or taking them to an AA or SMART group. There are lots of online meetings!

Supporting Someone Through Alcohol Detox

Natural Methods to Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms

What strategies or methods can help ease alcohol withdrawal symptoms?

Detoxing from alcohol has to be under medical supervision.

Trying to do it without medical input is extremely dangerous and could leave you open to prosecution if things go wrong. Alcohol withdrawal, without medical input, has a high mortality rate.

While medical intervention is essential, there is much you can do to help someone.

Helping your loved one to access complimentary therapies such as yoga and mindfulness can really help.

When you detox, your emotions can be allover the place. These complimentary therapies help to regulate emotions.

A balanced diet is also essential. However, be careful not to overdo it with water as too much can also create problems.

Herbal remedies have their place but it is essential that you discuss these with the treating clinician, first, as some can not be taken with prescription medications.

Supporting Someone Through Alcohol Detox

The Role of Family

Family Involvement is crucial in the Recovery Process

Recovery from alcohol addiction becomes stronger when the wider family is involved.

Research shows that families provide the emotional support that can play a very significant part in the recovery trajectory.

With family around you, the feelings of isolation will slip away.

Alcohol addiction affects the wider family: Not just the individual. Family therapy can help to repair the damage to relationships. It can help to open up lines of communication.

Supporting Someone Through Alcohol Detox

Speak to an Experienced Addictions Clinician For Free Acians.

We are addictions clinicians.

On a daily basis, we help people caught up in alcohol addiction in various settings, including residential rehabs.

Our advice is free, impartial and wholly confidential.

We can signpost you to residential rehab or treatment at home.

If you want a referral for residential treatment or detox at home, we do not not charge for this.

We are registered with the Information Commissioners Office.

As treatment services have to be registered with the appropriate inspectorate for the country they are located in (Scotland/England/Wales/N.Ireland) we only signpost to those that are.

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