What Happens After Alcohol Detox? There is a concept in recovery, and in life in general, to “Keep your eyes on your own two feet in front of you, and worry about the future when it meets them and then step into it.” Essentially, what this means is that it is critical to stay in the moment when it comes to recovery. This is also true when it comes to taking the next right steps after alcohol detox.

The Importance of a Professionally Monitored Alcohol Detox

Before taking the next right steps after alcohol detox, it is important to take the right steps before alcohol detox. This includes choosing a professionally monitored alcohol detox. It also means never trying to detox from alcohol alone.

Many people may be surprised to discover that alcohol is actually one of the most dangerous substances to detox from. This is often surprising because alcohol use is both legal and widely prevalent in society. However, these two factors don’t make it any less dangerous.

One of the primary reasons that make detoxing from alcohol so dangerous is the potential for problematic withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms including including seizures and delirium tremens can include confusion, hallucinations, and even cardiac collapse. According to the publication titled Alcohol Withdrawal by Doctors Newman, Gallagher, and Gomez, “Delirium tremens is fatal in nearly 15% of cases without treatment and one percent in those who do receive treatment.” Moreover, utilizing professional detoxification services minimizes any chance of withdrawal symptoms posing potentially fatal complications. 

After Alcohol Detox: What Comes Next?

Now, the next steps after detox are not set in stone. Because everyone has had a different experience with their active addictions, not everyone will have the same recovery path. Again, the best thing to do when choosing what comes after alcohol detox is to consult a professional.

Professional addiction specialists can offer suggestions for steps following detox by gauging the severity of one’s addiction and withdrawal symptoms during the detoxification process. If the symptoms were more intense and required more medical attention (such as medication), then it may be recommended that the client check into a residential addiction care program.

Now, if the symptoms were not as severe, other options for treatment programs may be more appropriate. The key is to listen to the professionals. After all, making the right choice in the beginning can be the difference between a relapse and another detox or successful long-term recovery.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Level of Treatment

As previously mentioned, choosing the right level of treatment is dependent on the individual and the stage of their addiction. These levels include residential care programs, partial hospitalization programs (PHP), intensive and general outpatient programs (IOP and GOP), and sober living programs.

It is also important to note that these levels are transitional, and choosing one over the other does not mean that an individual must stick to that choice. This is true going both ways. For example, an individual may choose an IOP but discover that they are having too much trouble with chronic relapsing. Then it may be time to step it up to the level of residential care of a PHP. Also, an individual may complete a residential care program and choose to transition to a PHP or IOP rather than go right back out to their everyday lives. Again, the key is to do what is in the best interest of maintaining a successful recovery.

The Benefits of a Sober Living Facility

Another step that one can take following alcohol detox is transitioning to a sober living facility. Sober Living facilities are a great place to stay closely connected to an early treatment program as well as other peers who are also going through the same recovery experiences.

Also, sober living facilities allow an individual to stay more closely in contact with the therapists and addiction specialists that they have been working with since their alcohol detox. This level of connectivity not only allows for more accountability but also makes any changes to a recovery plan, based on progress, that much easier. Now, the goal is long-term recovery, and sometimes the best way to accomplish that is by making the right short-term decisions, including what to do after alcohol detox.