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Alcohol detox: Going to a 5 day detox - What to expect?

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blackstorm

Bluelighter
Joined
Aug 19, 2006
Messages
89
Hey,

I got a referral to go to a detox in my city, stay in for 5 days (Normally).

I have never seen the inside of one, or have any idea what generally happens.

Can anyone give me some information and especially if you have done it yourself

Thanks
 
It depends on the facility.

A run down of what to expect at where I am currently working is as follows:
  • Walk in door, place your belongings against the wall
  • Provide basic information (name, age, phone, address, SS#, emergency contacts, quantity of and date of last use, etc)
  • Sign a Consent to Treat
  • Get vitals checked according to the Alcohol Withdrawal Assessment (http://www.regionstrauma.org/blogs/ciwa.pdf)
  • Have a BAL test performed
  • Orientate on expectations and guidelines
  • Provide a thorough Nursing Assessment
  • Have a search of person and belongings
  • Provide a urine sample
  • Have blood drawn
  • Receive appropriate medications (possibly: librium, clonidine, phenergan, zofran, ibuprofen)
    ​
    (if your BAL is too high, medications are postponed until levels drop)
  • Directed to location of bed
  • Engage in therapeutic sessions
 
Amazing information, thank you so much OverDone :)

Unfortunately I do have a liver problem (Fatty liver I think?) - The last time I got a BAL test done, it showed as very high, even when it was a long time after I had alcohol - 12+ hours minimum from taking 22 units over a 24 hour period.
I couldn't believe that - Can that even be possible?

This was in a general hospital from a totally unrelated incident.

I am also meant to be taking campral, but I don't take them if I am drinking.

I have no problem with any tests being done, I am there to get help, once and for all and I have only been taking alcohol.
 
I would check the facility's web site and see what to bring and not to bring (we don't allow products that contain alcohol in the first three ingredients)
Just remember that its going to be very uncomfortable at first (but much better than detoxing at home). Many folks want to discharge at first (even though it was a conscious decision made on their part). It gets better and it gets easier but its scary because it will feel like its going to last forever. It won't. look around at the people who have been there and recognize that they were once feeling exactly like you are at that moment. You'll be one of them that a new admit will be looking to for hope as well in a few days.

It'd be a good idea to have an aftercare program setup once you discharge. Alcoholism is merely a symptom of a greater issue. Detox alone is essentially putting a bandaid on a bloody stump. We need consistent maintenance (especially in the beginning) in order to prevent relapse.

Therapy, Intensive Outpatient, sober living and residential treatment are all options than will reduce the risk of falling into old behaviors.

I admire your willingness :) It takes a great deal of courage to initiate change and to leave those old behaviors behind. That willingness and courage is going to take you a long way!
 
I admire your willingness It takes a great deal of courage to initiate change and to leave those old behaviors behind. That willingness and courage is going to take you a long way!
Click to expand...

I love to hear encouragement :)

I haven't told anyone that I am doing this, not even my girlfriend... still not too sure if I should.. I don't mind her knowing, but she tells everyone even if I ask her not to.
I'd rather get over this myself.

I did look online but the facility really doesn't tell much at all. I guess I will be leaving my aftershave and mouthwash at home :)
I have never, ever been like that, but I doubt they would want it, a lot of mints will have to do me :p

It'd be a good idea to have an aftercare program setup once you discharge. Alcoholism is merely a symptom of a greater issue. Detox alone is essentially putting a bandaid on a bloody stump.
Click to expand...

I will have aftercare but I really hate to talk. Really.

I never tell anyone my problems, I don't like to complain.

I have no idea what I will be asked, but I'm sure the general will be why do I drink, am I unhappy, what makes me unhappy.

I have thought of these questions a lot myself, I know the reasons why I started to drink, but no reasons at all as to why I continue.
The reasons I had to start are very simple and easy to understand, but no reason at all as to why I keep drinking and have a problem stopping.

Can anyone share experiences of talking please?

I have been to AA and this is 1 big thing that stopped me, I really don't think I have any reason (I think it is an excuse for myself) to drink.
 
According to the disease model of addiction, people like us are plagued with obsession and compulsion. The obsession is that overwhelming, predominant thought about getting and using. The compulsion is that, once we start, we cannot stop. Breaking that cycle takes time because we are so accustomed to the comfort of our suffering that it is somewhat safer to linger in that familiar pain than to embrace the foreign territory of change.

Talking is just like any other skill. It takes practice. Personally, I'm socially awkward but not nearly as bad as I once was. Baby steps worked for me. I'd pick up the phone and call someone just like me and say "hey man, just calling to say 'hey' and practice using this damn phone". Sounds corny as shit but it works.

I do the 12 Step thing so that helped me with getting better in the social realm. Going out to the diner after a meeting or hanging out for coffee with others helped me to learn some sort of ability to interact with others on a real level. Like anything, it just takes time and practice.

What's cool is that no matter what aftercare program you go with, you can practice being you. Mistakes come with learning and sometimes we come off looking stupid. Doesn't really matter though because you'll never see these people in your aftercare program again. This is what makes it excellent territory for practicing skills we lost touch with.

I used to think that everyone was watching me and judging me. That's another part of addiction, self-centeredness. The thing is, people are entirely too focused on themselves that no one is really paying that close attention to us. That was freeing to me because it helped me relax and allow myself mistakes.

Its a long, slow process but its well worth it
 
Yeah I've done detox for benzos, alcohol and opiates. It sucks lol. But hey congrats on getting clean. I was in numerous detox's and one thing is you'll be put on Serax or Librium for alcohol or benzo detox. You are probably already there oh well maybe this can help someone else. Honestly coming off booze and benzos really tested me. damn near killed me twice. I came off 120mg of methadone cold turkey but, xanax and whiskey was worse IMO. Anyway, if any BLer's are contemplating getting clean depending on why you get twisted might cause mental health issues as in my case. I use/used because of physical pain and PTSD so when i got sober i was nuts. But, now I am a lot better I was in the Stan in 01 and got a lot of pain mental and physical cuz of it. So be aware. Sorry for the ramble.
 
OverDone said:
It depends on the facility.

A run down of what to expect at where I am currently working is as follows:
  • Walk in door, place your belongings against the wall
  • Provide basic information (name, age, phone, address, SS#, emergency contacts, quantity of and date of last use, etc)
  • Sign a Consent to Treat
  • Get vitals checked according to the Alcohol Withdrawal Assessment (http://www.regionstrauma.org/blogs/ciwa.pdf)
  • Have a BAL test performed
  • Orientate on expectations and guidelines
  • Provide a thorough Nursing Assessment
  • Have a search of person and belongings
  • Provide a urine sample
  • Have blood drawn
  • Receive appropriate medications (possibly: librium, clonidine, phenergan, zofran, ibuprofen)
    ​
    (if your BAL is too high, medications are postponed until levels drop)
  • Directed to location of bed
  • Engage in therapeutic sessions
Click to expand...

Yeah this is pretty spot on info.

Every detox runs a little differently in regards to their specific rules/day layout. But, the most important thing to keep in mind, especially on the days you're feeling really sick (and you will feel sick. They medicate you but it's still no walk in the park) is that you're there for a reason and you want to better your life. Fight through it and you'll come out the other side.
 
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