Alcohol Detox in Hospital vs. Residential Setting

You realize your alcohol addiction has reached a crescendo and you are now ready to confront the detoxification process head on.  Detox and withdrawal from an alcohol addiction is a highly uncomfortable process where the body releases the toxins related to the alcohol that have built up in the body’s tissues.  By ridding the body of these chemicals and toxins the individual is then able to actively participate, with a clear head, in the therapy that should follow detox.

When approaching the various detox options you will find ample information that forcefully advises against attempting to go cold turkey at home by oneself.  Alcohol detox can carry some unpredictable health risks and should be medically monitored, at least over the first 5 days.  So, after disregarding the home detox idea, alcohol detox in hospital, a residential setting, or other detox settings are next to be considered.

Alcohol Detox in Hospital vs. Inpatient Treatment Program

Hospital Detox

The emergency rooms of the local hospitals see plenty of people who are either in the midst of an alcohol detox they had attempted on their own, or a acute health event of which alcoholism is a secondary issue that must be dealt with in tandem with the health crisis.  There are also mental health wards in hospitals that are available for individuals who are admitted through a “5150,” or a 72-hour psychiatric hold that are in need of alcohol detox.

The hospital setting is vastly different from a residential treatment setting.  The hospital setting is sterile and, while efficient in administering the medications needed to help manage withdrawal symptoms, the staff is not as sympathetic or supportive generally.  It is a more clinical environment that approaches detox as just another health condition to treat for a few days, and then release the patient.  In some hospitals there might be corollary addiction therapy services to help counsel the individual during their detox stay, but that is about it for an alcohol detox in hospital.

Residential Detox and Treatment Program

In a residential or inpatient treatment setting, medical detox is the norm.  During a supervised medical detox, the individual is guided and supported throughout the process.  Vital signs are taken about every 4 hours and medications provided based on the specific needs of each client.  These inpatient programs have the expertise to intervene should a medical emergency, such as the delirium tremens, arise.  These inpatient services employ addiction specialists who are compassionate and can emotionally prepare the client for the upcoming addiction treatment phase.

Once the alcohol detox and withdrawal is completed, the residential program then segues the client into active treatment and therapy.  Alcohol addiction treatment includes:

• Weekly individual talk cognitive behavioral therapy sessions with a masters level psychologist
• Multiple weekly group therapy sessions guided by a therapist or clinician
• Participation is a 12-step or non 12 step similar recovery program
• Attendance in a variety of classes that educate clients about how addiction works and how to avoid relapsing
• Managing medications for a co-occurring mental health disorder or to help reduce alcohol cravings
• Adjunct therapies that supplement and augment the therapeutic interventions, such as biofeedback, neurofeedback, yoga and meditation, acupuncture, art therapy, recreational therapy, and mindfulness practices

The Treatment Specialist Finds Alcohol Detox Programs For You

The Treatment Specialist is an excellent first stop when discerning where to receive an alcohol detox.  The knowledgeable and highly experienced specialists can provide information about how alcohol detox in hospital differs from a residential program.  Using a free assessment tool, the specialists can then locate the best detox program fit for your or your loved one’s needs.  For more information about the detox process and our free treatment locator service, contact The Treatment Specialist today at (866) 644-7911.