The purpose of alcohol detox is to help you get rid of the physical and psychological effects of your alcohol addiction.

For heavy drinkers, detox should be performed under medical supervision because of the potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Patients can receive alcohol detox treatment as an outpatient or inpatient depending on the seriousness of their addiction.

The duration of detox and seriousness of withdrawal symptoms will depend on the individual's drinking history, medical history and other personal factors.

Before we get into the specifics of detox treatment, we'll look at alcohol withdrawal and its effect on the body.

Alcohol Withdrawal
If someone regularly and  heavily drinks alcohol, their body's central nervous system (CNS), which controls all the body's functions, increases its activities to compensate for the depressive effects of alcohol flooding the body. 

In effect, alcohol puts the brain in overdrive. So when you stop drinking abruptly, you experience the symptoms of withdrawal—the body's hyperactive response to the void of alcohol. The result is increased blood pressure, rapid pulse and breathing, hallucinations, and other more serious effects.

Stages of Withdrawal
Stage 1: Minor withdrawal starts 5 to 8 hours after the last drink. Symptoms are anxiety, restlessness, agitation, mild nausea, decreased appetite, sleep disturbance, fluctuating heart rate and hypertension.

Stage 2: These major withdrawal symptoms occur 24 to 72 hours after the last drink and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, severe agitation, auditory or visual hallucinations and seizures.

Stage 3: Delirium tremens (DTs) is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that can lead to death and "involves sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes," according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. These symptoms can occur from 72 to 96 hours after the last drink and include fever, tachycardia, delirium and heavy shaking.

Causes of death include cardiovascular complications, pneumonia, and electrolyte abnormalities.

With medically supervised detox treatment, some of these symptoms can be lessened. Now that you know what to expect from alcohol cessation, let's look at the several options available for detox.

Detox Basics
Initial treatment begins with a physical exam. During detox, a patient's vital signs (heart and blood pressure) are monitored. And if necessary, intravenous fluid cocktails of vitamins, minerals and electrolytes are administered because of severe dehydration from vomiting and sweating.

Some patients may require drugs in the Benzodiazepines class such as Valium. These are used to treat anxiety, insomnia and seizures—some of the same symptoms experienced in alcohol withdrawal.

Others may simply need to be monitored in a quiet room with little more than an IV.

Inpatient Detox

Anyone experiencing Stage 3 withdrawal symptoms must use inpatient detox. These patients need constant monitoring by medical staff. And this setting prevents them from drinking at least while they are in detox.

After initial intake, which includes medical history, physical exam, and blood withdrawal, the patients are placed in a quiet room with reduced lighting. Heart rate, blood pressure and fluids are constantly monitored.

Withdrawal symptoms are reduced with drugs such as naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram.

Acamprosate reduces symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, and depression.

Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors that reward drinking and the craving for alcohol. Also, benzodiazepines such as Valium are used to help with anxiety and stress.

Inpatient detox lasts from five to 14 days.

Outpatient Detox

Outpatient detox is appropriate for those in Stage 1 or 2 of withdrawal. Other considerations for outpatient treatment are that the patient has no other medical conditions, no severe psychiatric disorders and no history of seizures or DTs.

These patients are not typically long-term heavy drinkers. The medical staff of the hospital or treatment facility makes an initial assessment, which includes medical and drinking history, physical exam, lab studies including blood withdrawal, and the initial detox treatment.

This first day usually takes 1 to 2 hours with subsequent daily sessions of 15 to 30 minutes. The entire treatment usually lasts from three to 14 days. About 70% of all detox patients participate in outpatient treatment. 

People who opt for outpatient treatment should have at least one person who can support and monitor their progress.  

Summary
Alcohol detox is the first step to sobriety for alcoholics. And depending on the level of your addiction, detox can be completed using inpatient or outpatient treatment.

Sources:
http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh22-1/38-43.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001771/
http://www.aafp.org/afp/990915ap/1175.html