Alcohol Detox

Alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder, refers to a dependence on or addiction to alcohol. It is a chronic disorder brain disorder that has behavioral and physical symptoms. In the United States alone, at least 16 million people (both adolescents and adults) suffer from alcohol addiction. There are many influences on developing an alcohol use disorder, such as genetics and environmental factors.  

Alcohol detox can be uncomfortable, both psychologically and physically. While alcohol detox is the first step in the addiction recovery treatment process, recognizing signs of alcoholism is the first step in getting help.

Signs of Alcoholism

Some signs that a person may be using alcohol include:

• Lack of control over how much a person drinks

• Thoughts that are negative even when not drinking alcohol

• Risky drinking

• Drinking that gets in the way of other obligations

• Urge to drink that is uncontrollable

Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Alcoholism

Mild drinking issues can still do some severe damage to both your mental and physical health.

Drinking also puts you at a much higher risk for:

• Homicide

• Suicide

• Drowning

• Car accidents

Alcohol Withdrawal

The body will go through some drastic changes as someone stops drinking alcohol. Though many people say they feel energetic or “up” while drinking, alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. This means it slows vital systems in a person’s body. One out of every 20 people has extreme alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:

Tremors (5 to 10 hours)

Tremors begin within 5 to 10 hours after an individual has had his or her last drink. Tremors will not usually peak until 24 to 48 hours. Some people also experience high blood pressure, fast breathing, increased pulse, sweating, vomiting, nausea, and anxiety, along with tremors.

Alcohol Hallucinosis (12 to 24 hours)

Within 12 to 24 hours, a person may begin to hallucinate. Most people report that they see falling coins and insects that are crawling on and around them. It’s also possible to see objects move or see multiple objects at once. 

Delirium Tremens (2 to 3 days)

Within two to three days after drinking, shifts in breathing begin to take place. This can also cause an increased heart rate as well as high blood pressure. This condition can also stop or decrease blood flow to the brain. Because of these changes in the body, a person can experience disorientation, confusion, and even a loss of consciousness.

Medications to Help With Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually do not require medications. However, moderate to severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms typically benefit from prescribed medications, which include:

• Benzodiazepines

• Neuroleptic medications

• Beta-blockers (propranolol)

Some medications to help with the urge to stop drinking again once alcohol withdrawal symptoms have passed include:

• Naltrexone

• Disulfiram

• Topiramate

Alcohol Addiction Treatment

The withdrawal symptoms of alcohol can change up very quickly and aggressively. Side effects can shift from minor to severe in just a few hours. The good news is that there are many alcohol addiction treatment programs that can help. However, it is essential and maybe even lifesaving to go through medically supervised alcohol detox to focus on clearing the body of alcohol toxins. Due to the difficulty in determining who will have severe symptoms, alcohol detox should always be medically supervised to monitor symptoms and ensure medical help if required.

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient facilities are supervised and are excellent for people who abuse alcohol. This is the most active form of treatment as an individual will stay at the rehab for treatment. Length of stay is typically a 30, 60, or 90-day program. Patients can count on getting around-the-clock care, including individual and group therapy, relapse prevention groups, introduction to support groups like AA or NA, and an aftercare plan to ease the transition to a new life in recovery.

Outpatient Treatment

Patients who do not need detox can often attend outpatient rehab. This option should be discussed with the professionals supporting one’s treatment. For those who this is an option, it is an excellent way to get help while maintaining family, school, or work commitments.

Counseling

Individual counseling helps support an individual during treatment. Counselors can help out by looking at certain factors that may have caused the alcohol addiction in the first place and guide patients to learn new skills to deal with their addiction to alcohol.

Support Groups

Recovery is a lifelong journey. Long after rehab is over, recovery and treatment continue. Alcoholics Anonymous is just one of the many support groups available to people in recovery. This non-professional peer-to-peer support group is one of the oldest, and some say successful ways to stay sober that millions of people attend around the globe.

Is Alcohol Detox Necessary?

Alcohol detox is not addiction treatment. It is the first step needed to take on the hard work ahead for individuals during and after alcohol rehab. Alcohol detox is vital to removing the body’s dependence on alcohol to function. Alcohol detox may be difficult and is uncomfortable, but it doesn’t last forever. The dedication to yourself and a sober life starts with detox.

Are you or a loved one struggling with alcohol addiction? You are not alone. Call us today to learn more.