Alcohol detox is an important part of alcohol addiction treatment. The 10-day alcohol detox, made popular by Lewis David, provides structured support for those who want to cut back on their drinking. Following the plan can create the ideal setting for people to eliminate or reduce alcohol consumption.
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is when a person is unable to stop drinking alcohol even if they’ve tried multiple times. This inability to stop drinking makes it difficult to function daily.
Common symptoms of AUD include:
- Constantly craving alcohol despite its negative impacts on health
- Developing a tolerance for alcohol and needing to drink more to experience the same effect
- Spending a lot of time drinking and looking for alcohol
- Isolating oneself and neglecting responsibilities just to drink alcohol
- Getting into financial problems because of continued alcohol use
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit alcohol
What Is An Alcohol Detox?
Alcohol detox is when the body gets cleared of alcohol so that a person is ready for the next steps of addiction treatment. It focuses on physical stabilisation so that clients can go back to functioning well. It also helps clients reduce cravings so that they don’t turn to drinking again.
Detox usually happens in a controlled setting with medical supervision. Medical professionals can help make this process safe and comfortable so that clients can achieve long-term sobriety.
Why Is Alcohol Detox Important?
Alcohol detox is important because it helps manage the withdrawal symptoms from alcohol abuse. When a person is addicted to alcohol, their bodies will get used to the substance’s presence.
Detox can help the body heal. Because of the controlled environment during alcohol detox, clients can reduce the risk of relapse and feel more comfortable when recovering.
How Does A 10-Day Alcohol Detox Plan Work?
A 10-day alcohol detox plan takes a gradual approach to alcohol detox. The first three days consist of assessments and the initial withdrawal. This is when clients will start to experience some difficult withdrawal symptoms like tremors, nausea, and irritability.
During days 4 to 6, clients may experience the peak of their symptoms. Proper nourishment is key during this time since it helps manage the withdrawal symptoms. Cravings may intensify in this period, so it’s important to nourish the body with proper hydration and a balanced diet.
What Are The Benefits Of A 10-Day Alcohol Detox?
Here are some of the benefits of a 10-day alcohol detox plan:
- Physical Stabilisation: Detox helps restore normal bodily functions that may have been compromised during alcohol addiction. Organs like the liver and kidneys will start to work more efficiently as the body eliminates alcohol.
- Safe Environment: The presence of a medical professional makes the detox environment more safe and suitable for detox. Professionals can also prescribe medications to manage severe withdrawal symptoms.
- Better Mental Clarity: A person’s emotions can get chaotic when they have AUD. The 10-day alcohol detox plan creates a space where clients can clear their minds for a more balanced mental state.
- Reduced Risk of Relapse: Since the plan follows a gradual approach, it eases a person into detox. The presence of professionals also provides people with the proper support so that they can achieve long-term recovery.
Who Should Consider A 10-Day Alcohol Detox?
The people who should consider a 10-day alcohol detox are those suffering from alcohol use disorder. These are the people who are most likely to experience withdrawal symptoms when quitting alcohol.
People who also want to quit drinking may consider a 10-day alcohol detox. While they aren’t necessarily addicted to alcohol, they may benefit from this plan if they are struggling to reduce their alcohol consumption.
Can I Detox At Home Or Should I Seek Professional Help?
While detoxing at home is possible, it’s highly recommended to seek professional help instead. Since withdrawal can result in serious withdrawal symptoms, professionals can monitor your vital signs for your safety.
Professionals also make the detox process more manageable. They can prescribe medications like disulfiram, naltrexone, and nalmefene to help out with reducing cravings and the risk of relapse.
What Happens During Alcohol Detox?
Before patients start alcohol detox, their medical history will be reviewed. This gives the facility an overview of what to expect during the client’s detox process. It also helps the facility create a personalised treatment plan that fits the client’s needs.
Detox is a difficult time. As such, different types of therapies and support will be provided during the detox process. Clients may receive counselling or therapy to manage the psychological aspect of addiction. Therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) enable clients to take a deeper look at their disorder so they can develop healthy coping mechanisms to overcome it.
Some addiction centres may also incorporate holistic therapies into the detox programme. Clients will be taught relaxation techniques or stress management exercises to help ease their emotions and promote overall well-being.
Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Abruptly stopping your alcohol intake can be life-threatening and result in the following withdrawal symptoms:
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Shaking and tremors
- Fatigue
- Upset stomach
- Rapid heart rate
- Excessive sweating
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Hallucinations
Alcohol Detox Timeline
The alcohol detox timeline will vary depending on the severity of the addiction. Here is what most people can expect after their last drink:
- First 6 to 12 Hours: Initial symptoms like anxiety and headaches may occur, but they are mild.
- Within 24 to 48 Hours: The initial symptoms intensify, and people may experience hand tremors or hallucinations, especially if they are heavy drinkers.
- 48 to 72 Hours (Days 3-5): This is when withdrawal symptoms peak and the most severe symptoms occur. People may have intense cravings during this time.
- Days 6 Onwards: The withdrawal symptoms may start to subside, but there still may be lingering psychological effects.
How To Prepare For Alcohol Detox
Preparing for alcohol detox can help you feel more ready to face the physical and emotional aspects of the process. Here are some ways to prepare for this process:
- Consult a healthcare professional to discuss your plan and assess your overall health
- Set goals to know your objectives for the detox journey
- Build a strong support system so that you can lean into them when needed
- Build healthy habits, such as eating well and getting enough sleep, to prepare your body for the challenges of detox
- Arrange personal matters ahead of time so that you can fully focus on recovery
What Are The Risks Of Alcohol Detox?
It’s not easy to stop drinking easily, especially for those who struggle with alcohol use disorder. Alcohol detox may pose serious risks if a person has a history of heavy drinking or underlying health issues.
For example, people who go through detox may experience high blood pressure and palpitations. These symptoms are amplified in those who have existing cardiovascular issues. They may find it difficult to cope with these symptoms alone and need medical supervision to ensure their safety.
Those with existing mental health issues may also find alcohol detox psychologically distressing. The withdrawal period may intensify symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other disorders, making it more difficult to cope with recovery.
Heavy Alcohol Use And Delirium Tremens
Delirium tremens (DTs) can happen in heavy drinkers who decide to quit drinking, and it is a severe and life-threatening form of alcohol withdrawal. Studies even show that death may occur in up to 5% of people who suffer from DTs.
When a person has DTs, they will experience symptoms like severe confusion, agitation, and seizures. These symptoms typically start 2 to 3 days after a person stops drinking heavily. Since DTs can be fatal, it’s important to seek immediate help if you or a loved one is experiencing the same symptoms.
What Happens After Alcohol Detox?
After detox, clients will work to transition to a structured rehab programme. During rehab, clients will receive a series of treatments and therapies to address addiction.
The treatment can be inpatient or outpatient, depending on the level of care a person needs. Inpatient treatment provides 24/7 care in a structured setting, while outpatient treatment allows clients to live at home while receiving treatment.
Treatment length will also vary based on a person’s needs and recovery progress. While most rehab programmes have a minimum of 30 days, this can still be shortened or extended. During rehab, clients will go through a combination of evidence-based and holistic treatments, which are determined according to their personalised treatment plan.
Rehab is where people learn long-term management techniques to stay sober. Facilities may also connect clients with aftercare programmes, such as support groups and continued therapies, to help prevent relapse.
The Importance Of Alcohol Detox Treatment
After alcohol detox, people will go through the next steps of alcohol addiction treatment. We’ve discussed why alcohol detox is important in the earlier sections, so now we’ll take a closer look at why alcohol addiction treatment is essential for those with AUD.
During treatment, clients can address the root causes of their addiction through therapy and counselling. For those who experience alcohol addiction along with mental health disorders, professionals can provide dual diagnosis treatment for better outcomes.
Rehab facilities also strive to make addiction treatment personalised treatment in a safe setting. This allows clients to focus on healing throughout their recovery journey.
Our Alcohol Rehab Offers Professional Alcohol Addiction Treatment
People struggling with alcohol addiction need professional treatment to manage symptoms and develop healthy coping mechanisms. At Sierra Recovery, we provide professional alcohol addiction treatment for those who want to quit drinking.
Our team has the right experience and expertise to make quitting alcohol less complicated. From detox to aftercare, Sierra Recovery will be with you throughout the whole recovery process.
Contact us today to learn more about our services.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the 10-day alcohol detox.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does water help you flush out alcohol?
Drinking water can make you feel better by preventing dehydration and alleviating hangover symptoms. However, it doesn't necessarily make the body metabolise alcohol any faster. The body still needs to process the alcohol naturally before it leaves your system.
Can I start alcohol detox while still drinking?
No, it's not possible to start alcohol detox while still drinking since detox is the process of eliminating alcohol from your system. Detox begins once you stop consuming alcohol.
What happens if I relapse during detox?
Many people relapse during detox or even after finishing rehab. If you detox, it's important to remember that it's part of the recovery process. Simply find ways to get back on track, such as reassessing your treatment plan or seeking help from therapists or support groups.
