Alcohol Detox (Detoxification) or Social Detox?

Alcohol detox is something most alcohol rehab programs do not offer. If they do offer alcohol detox, it is something that is known as "social detox". Social alcohol detox is basically that you get support from people around you while you are "jonesing". Imagine having full-blown alcohol withdrawal symptoms while people around you are giving you encouragement. That's great! Did you know that alcohol detox can be fatal? What about when you begin to have seizures related to your alcohol withdrawal, or when your blood pressure shoots through the roof? How will your social supports be helpful? Will you be rushed to the hospital? Will it be in time? Will the staff recognize the warning signs that you are in medical trouble?

Obviously, with any serious alcohol detox, a social detox is not safe. It's that simple. Alcohol detox needs to be a medical procedure that is undertaken at the direction and orders of a physician who has experience in this area. Many people die every year when they stop drinking alcohol cold-turkey and do not get the appropriate medically-monitored detox.

Alcohol detox is the beginning step of a lasting recovery. Please do it safely.

John Neuhaus, M.D.