Alcohol Detox
What Is Alcohol Detox?
As a depressant, alcohol relaxes the central nervous system (CNS), making people feel happy and euphoric. The CNS responds by sending more signals than usual to compensate for this to keep our body functioning. Prolonged use means the CNS gets used to sending this level of signals.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
If we abruptly stop drinking, our brain and CNS take time to adjust to regular functioning without alcohol. During this period, people experience a range of side effects including:
Irritability
Anxiety
Nausea
Tremors
Hallucinations
High body temperature
Delirium tremens (DT)
Seizures
Although these symptoms and side effects may seem alarming, it is important to remember that they are only temporary and a medical detox for alcohol addiction can help you largely avoid them.. Beginning addiction treatment for alcohol abuse is difficult but entirely worth it.
QUITTING ALCOHOL ‘COLD TURKEY’ IS VERY DANGEROUS
Anyone who is drinking alcohol regularly (more than 1-2 drinks daily) should never suddenly stop drinking without medical advice and support. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are not only unpleasant, they can actually be fatal. Alcohol withdrawal seizures can be deadly.
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:
Cancer
Heart disease
Difficulty with memory
Anxiety and depression
High blood pressure
Alcoholic hepatitis
Cirrhosis
How Does Alcohol Detox Work?
An alcohol 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 during an alcohol detox.
Campral – This treatment helps to limit some of the extended physical and emotional distress that people experience 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 or even fatal. Completing a medically supervised detox is strongly recommended.
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:
A break from triggers and everyday life stressors
Support for medical conditions and mental health
Community support from others in treatment
Reduction of serious health risks caused by alcohol withdrawal
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:
You can’t say no to a drink
Your drinking feels out of control
Drinking impacts your relationships
You can’t get through the day without 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.
Why Choose NP Addiction Clinic?
Why our St. Lucie County rehab and mental health center is right for you and your loved ones.
24-Hour Support
We are dedicated to helping people heal, recover and live better lives, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. Count on us to be there when you need us most.
On-Site Detox
Mental Health Treatment Pros
Aftercare and Alumni Support
Our aftercare, alumni support and MAT programs are second to none. We’re invested in your recovery and wellness for the long haul.
Alcohol Detox is Available
At NP Addiction Clinic, a safe and comfortable medical detox off of alcohol is available to you 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. All it takes is a phone call. We are always open, and we accept most private insurance plans that can cover most of the costs of alcohol detox. If you’re ready to quit drinking, do it the safe, comfortable and sensible way.
Contact us today:
24/7 Helpline: (888) 574-3506
