Alcohol abuse is a widespread problem that many people face every day. In 2019, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health revealed that 16.3 million people in the United States struggle with alcohol abuse.

If drinking is casting a shadow over your life, NP Addiction Clinic provide bespoke treatment packages including alcohol detox to help you break free and begin your new life.

What Is Alcohol Detox?

Signs of Alcohol Addiction

Symptoms of alcohol addiction can vary from person to person but can include some of the following:

• Appearing intoxicated regularly
• Drinking heavily in secret or alone
• Changes in mood, including irritability and mood swings
• Choosing to drink alcohol over other activities or hobbies

Being dependent on alcohol looks different for everyone. Alcohol abuse can also include binge drinking, where a person drinks to excess several nights a week. Binge drinking can also have adverse effects on physical and mental health.

Being addicted to alcohol for a long time can also lead to long term health and medical conditions, such as:

• High blood pressure
  
• Cancer
  
• Heart disease
  
• Difficulty with memory
  
• Mental health issues, including anxiety and depression
  

How Does Detox Work?

A detox at NP Addiction Clinic works by flushing out all alcohol from the body so that it can function normally while using medication to make sure that any side effects are treated and our patient’s health is never at risk.

Using medication alleviates many of the more extreme withdrawal symptoms and makes detox much easier to progress through.

As each person is different, there is no one fit for all when it comes to medication. However, the following medications are often prescribed:

• Benzodiazepines - Administered to calm the central nervous system and minimize the effects of anxiety and insomnia, benzodiazepines, including Valium and Librium, are a common treatment for alcohol abuse.
• Campral - This treatment helps to limit some of the extended physical and emotional distress that people during detox.
• Naltrexone - Naltrexone works by blocking the positive feelings that occur when people drink heavily. It has been marketed under several brand names, including Revia and Depade.
  

Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline

When quitting alcohol, alcohol withdrawal stages typically include:

• Stage One - Occurring six to twelve hours after withdrawal begins, stage one of withdrawal involves symptoms such as trembling hands, headaches, anxiety, and insomnia.
• Stage Two - Twenty-four hours after withdrawal commences, mild symptoms continue. For those being treated for milder cases of AUD, this is when symptoms usually peak. They usually decrease in a matter of days.
  
• Stage Three - Twenty-four to seventy-two hours after last consuming alcohol, those with a history of severe alcohol abuse could experience a severe health condition called delirium tremens, or DT. Here, symptoms including hallucinations, paranoia, and seizures may be experienced. This is when symptoms of withdrawal are usually the worst. However, this is relatively rare, with less than 5% of people in rehab programs developing DT.
• Stage Four - After seventy-two hours, withdrawal symptoms should start to taper down. After a week, they usually begin to wear off. It should be noted that there is still a risk of developing delirium tremens in this period.

Although many people attempt to withdraw from alcohol alone, doing so can be extremely dangerous. Completing a supervised withdrawal in a rehab center is recommended by the medical community.

Benefits of Inpatient Alcohol Detox

With inpatient detoxes, professional care, support, and medical help are at hand at all times. Other key benefits of inpatient alcohol detox include:

• Support for medical conditions and mental health
• Community support from others in treatment
• Reduction of serious health complications caused by alcohol withdrawal
• A break from triggers and everyday life stressors

At NP Addiction Clinic, we recognize the importance of a strong support network for rehab programs to be successful. As a result, we ensure that each client always has access to constant support and comprehensive care from staff.

Understanding that alcohol addiction can take a long time to recover from, at NP Addiction Clinic, we provide ongoing support for clients for as long as they need.

Polydrug Detox

Often, alcohol abuse can go hand in hand with drug abuse, leaving many people dependent on both drugs and alcohol.

To ensure those with co-existing addictions secure the treatment they need, we require all our patients to complete an in-depth assessment process here at NP Addiction Clinic. Working with each individual, we ensure the highest chances of a successful recovery by creating bespoke detox programs for both drugs and alcohol.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Drugs and alcohol can sometimes be a band-aid for serious mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. For this very reason, at NP Addiction Clinic, we also offer dual diagnosis treatment.

Dual diagnosis treatment simultaneously treats both addiction and mental health. Combining detox with psychological and well-being therapies, this particular treatment helps patients get back to a healthy, happy life.

How Do You Know You Need an Alcohol Detox?

Alcohol abuse can be hard to spot. You might not think that you’re dependent on alcohol, but you may want to consider an alcohol detox if:

• Your drinking feels out of control
• Drinking impacts your relationships
• You can’t get through the day without a drink
• You can’t say no to a drink
• You experience legal trouble because of your drinking

The above signs often indicate that an individual has become dependent on alcohol. As a result, if you experience any of these, you may benefit from alcohol addiction treatment.

If your drinking impacts your everyday life, contact NP Addiction Clinic to see what treatment is right for you.