Alcohol detoxification, or "detox," is the process of removing alcohol from the alcoholic’s system. This is the first step in the journey towards sobriety and it must be done within a medical facility as it can be fatal. Alcohol detox is necessary and it is difficult. Alcohol detox leads to alcohol withdrawal which includes the following symptoms:

• mild to moderate physical symptoms: jumpiness, nervousness, shakiness, anxiety, irritability, emotional volatility, rapid mood swings, depression, fatigue, difficulty thinking clearly and bad dreams
• mild to moderate psychological symptoms: headaches, sweating, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, insomnia, paleness, rapid heart beat, dilated pupils, clammy skin, abnormal movements, tremors in hands, involuntary/abnormal movements of the eyelids
• severe symptoms: a state of confusion, visual hallucinations (known as delirium tremors), severe agitation, fever and convulsions

Not everyone who stops drinking experiences withdrawal symptoms but those that have been drinking for a long time, drink frequently and drink heavily will experience some form of alcohol withdrawal. Most detox centers have doctors and other trained medical personnel that can administer certain medications that help with the physical symptoms of withdrawal.

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