What is an Alcohol Detox Centre?

An alcohol detox centre is a medical facility thatWithdrawal symptoms are often called "delerium
offers help for alcoholics who need to undergotremens" or "DTs" and include shaking, tremors,
withdrawal from alcohol. These centres aresweating, vomiting, muscle pain, increased heart rate
professional and have staff that are experienced inand blood pressure, hallucinations and delusion. 
treating alcohol withdrawal symptoms.Withdrawal from alcohol is extremely taxing on the
An alcoholic is a very sick person. They need helpalready fragile alcoholic's body, and can be dangerous
physically and mentally to cease drinking, which shouldand potentially fatal. Medication is very helpful in
ideally begin at an alcohol detox centre. While alcoholassisting an alcoholic in withdrawal from alcohol
is a socially acceptable drug, one needs only take adependence. Due to the dangers to the human body
look at the damage done to the body of a chronicand the need for medication, professional assistance
alcoholic to realise that drinking alcohol can beduring a detox from alcohol is extremely important. It
devastating. Yet, why does an alcoholic keep drinkingis also important that this detox occurs in a facility
and subjecting themselves to such punishment andthat is equipped to deal with the complications which
embarrassment?may arise. A quality alcohol detox centre will have
We have all heard the stories of the alcoholic, shakingthese facilities and offer the best care possible for
violently, waiting outside the liquor store for it toalcohol withdrawal. When an alcoholic undergoes an
open. We have heard of husbands or wives facedassisted detox that is supervised and monitored by
with losing their families, their homes and theirprofessionals, they stand a far better chance of
livelihood, promising family members that they willfinishing the detox and remaining sober afterwards.
stop drinking, only to continue. We have heard ofAfter detox
alcoholics who decide to stop drinking and pour all ofMost alcoholism centres will offer an alcohol detox
their alcohol down the drain but within six hours areprogramme, and after completion it is highly
unable to stay stopped due to the agony they feelrecommended that the client continue with in-patient
without alcohol in their system. Why is it so difficulttreatment at the centre.
for an alcoholic to stop drinking? There are twoDue to the fact that alcoholism is a disease that is
reasons: mental dependence and physicalincurable, progressive and can be fatal, the cessation
dependence.of drinking is but the beginning of the road to
Help from an alcohol detox centre is often requiredrecovery. Excessive drinking is a symptom of this
to help an alcoholic begin a life of sobrietydisease, and once an alcoholic has stopped drinking,
Alcohol is a substance which can cause physicalthe disease remains. The term "dry drunk" refers to
dependence. When an alcoholic has been consumingan alcoholic who has achieved sobriety, but has not
alcohol on a regular basis over a period of time, theirtreated the underlying disease.
bodies become physically dependent on having alcoholTo ensure continued sobriety after an alcohol detox,
in their systems.  It is due to this physicalabstinence plus change is extremely important. It is
dependency that when their bodies do not receivefor this reason that the 12 Steps of Alcoholics
the alcohol to which they are dependent, their bodiesAnonymous have helped so many alcoholics achieve
go into a state of withdrawal. When an alcoholiclasting sobriety. The Steps provide a daily programme
experiences these withdrawals, their best friend hasof recovery to help manage the disease, which in
turned into their worst enemy. That which broughtturn enables an alcoholic to return to normal life and
them such comfort is now causing them incrediblelive a productive and healthy existence after leaving
pain.an alcohol detox centre.