JIreland

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

least

From what I remember, they monitor your vitals and give you meds to assist in having a safe detox.

bigsombrero

I went to one and also had no idea what to expect. I was wheeled in on a gurney though, wish I could have walked in on my own power. I stayed for 2 nights, most of the time I was heavily sedated with pills. I was given some kind of fluid via tubes in my arm as well. The whole thing was a fog really.

I remember I had an old roommate who looked like Fidel Castro. The door to our room was always open, we could not shut it at night because the thermostat was located there. So we had a sheet instead of a door. Also, the Fidel Castro lookalike had been there before, he was always telling me about what kind of meals we were gonna get. "Taco night tonight", he'd say with a twinkle in his eyes. No real conversation. There was a shared TV room and some woman was always watching soap operas.

Aside from that I remember little. And that's fine. The idea of these centers is to let you down as easily as possible so you can come back to reality. That means a LOT of rest, and the meds make it easy to sleep most of the days away. My detox center was pretty crappy but overall it did the trick. Don't worry, you will be better for it.

Elisabeth888

Hey! Congratulations, you made the right decision!

The one I went to checked my vitals every hour or so for the a good while and gave me meds to keep me comfortable (for alcohol)

I went to therapy and meetings in between. It wasn't bad. Being able to smoke helped.

Justfor1

The answer is that it really depends. If you have insurance or money it will be a nicer type detox. I have detoxed 20+ times in various hospitals. Some give you Gatorade which help more than water. I also preferred the hospital visits with the large flat screen televisions. I once was in a hospital detox without cable television & the doctors/nursing staff were not very caring. Hopefully, this will be your last detox & you will have a sober life.

Fernaceman

I would simply expect a medical professional to monitor your vitals every few hours and make you as comfortable as they can via meds, fluids, and rest...pretty simple stuff.

JIreland

Thanks for the replies.

I think this will actually be the easy part.

I had a drink tonight, not to feel good, not to get drunk, but to hold off the bad come-down that happens until I can have something to help with the detox, I have learnt that I can't do it alone right now.

No alcohol until I go into detox at 2pm on Tuesday - 3.30am Monday morning right now - So I really think I will need some librium or something when I go in, I already know I will be sick before that

I'm really not looking forward to it now, but I know I will be a lot better after, maybe starting to get back to the vibrant person that I used to be

Grymt

I've been to a few. The care is pretty much as others have mentioned. You should get plenty of time to rest. You'll find many different types of people there. The main thing I have found difficult, which probably with a five day stretch may not become an issue, has been for me the socialising which can mean being exposed to some difficult people. I try to maintain a friendly but reserved demeanor remembering why I'm there, for me, not for anyone else. A few good books help. If you don't get a private room then maybe ear plugs can help. Don't over-pack and have a plan for after.
All the best.

Cc77

Detox will really help because you have professionals watching you 24/7. You won't have to worry about your health. It's the safest way to go! Congratulations!!!! Proud of you!!

JIreland

Books are a must I already read a huge amount

Don't over pack?

The detox is in the centre of the city I live in, I have my own place also in the centre, it is about 20 minutes walk.

I will be allowed out, but I don't want to and I will say to them when I go in, too close to alcohol.

Grymt

When I say don't over-pack I mean that I sometimes find that I go a bit overboard about what I think I need. Generally basic toiletries and basic clothing and something to read is enough, for me. I find that the first few days is basically adhering to a simple routine, resting, eating and some interactions. I think staying put is not a bad idea.

rockindog

This is the end of day 3 of no drinking for me. Heavy drinker here. Taking two meds one for BP and one for anxiety/seizure. Not feeling too bad right now. I gotta work. No time for anything else at this point.

JIreland

Ended up that the bed wasn't available for 3 days, but I am already on day 4 of not drinking today, I was given librium each day to take at home hoping to get a bed the next day.

I think I am over the worst of it now so I have librium for 1 more day and I am sure that the main side effects are finished.

I would have liked to have gone in because you get in contact with an alcohol specialist immediately but I have to wait for a referral to the hospital now from my doctor to see the same person, it will be months anyway for that.

Grymt

Well. as you know there are plenty of ethanol consumption specialists here to chat with.

Nicholi

I went into detox once. I passed out at home and my kids found me. They called a friend who brought me to the ER. I was taken into the detox center in handcuffs the next day. Police transport was the only way in. I was so humiliated! I have never been in handcuffs ore even seen the back of a police car before.

The actual stay wasn't so bad. I was given meds, monitored, and just allowed to rest. There were other people there, that I pretty much avoided because they were coming off some much harder things and always wanted to fight. I went in on a weekend, so not much happened. It was actually nice.

Not that I want to go back!

Justfor1

I thought the same thing. :rotfxko I assume that is a UK term? We call them substance abuse counclers here in the Unites States.

Grymt

no, sorry, my 'sense of humor'. I mean drunks (who are not drinking) with lots of experience.

WBoarder

This is me tonight.

I enter Dr-recommended detox tomorrow (Kaiser in SoCal).

I had such intense withdrawal symptoms last night that I am drinking tonight. I didn't even crave it. I just wanted to avoid the experience of last night.

I am afraid that the center I'll be entering tomorrow will be less robust than I need. There's talk of a counselor and Dr. visit. I need full-on detox, as my Dr. recommended. Though, my fears may just be of my own design.

I ran a search on "Kaiser" which somehow led me to this thread. Trying to discover what to expect specifically. Thank you

Dee74

I've never been Wboarder.

I think you should consider stopping drinking tonight tho.

The likelihood is you've already drunk enough to stave off withdrawal, and you really don't want to mess with any arrangements tomorrow.

D