Alcohol Detox
Alcohol addiction is a problem for many people. The prevalence of drinking is high, with 85.6% of the people above 18 in the U.S. admitting that they drank alcohol at least once in their life. So, what can you do to get rid effects of alcohol this addiction? Let’s find out!
What is Alcoholism?
An occasional drink is not a problem if the person can stop their consumption. The problem is when the person cannot help and control how much they drink – in which case, they border on the realms of severe symptoms of alcoholism.
According to studies, around 12.7% of the people in America have been diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder. In other words, one in eight adults in the United States is dealing with alcoholism.
Alcoholism affects people differently. The symptoms are similar to every other person: an intense need to drink alcohol, even if its use has been causing mental health problems. Alcohol addiction can be treated in multiple ways, but the most important factor is to spot that you have an addiction.
Signs of Alcoholism
In most cases, mild symptoms of alcoholism can be spotted right away. If you are wondering whether you or a loved one is suffering from alcoholism and needs treatment, here are the telltale signs:
1. You Tried to Quit Drinking but Failed
Many people struggling with an alcohol addiction would try to limit their consumption but fail to do it alone. In these cases, the addiction is deep enough that the person in question can no longer quit on their own. These are the circumstances where the person in alcohol withdrawal may want to go for a professional detox program.
2. You Hide Your Alcohol Consumption
When someone starts hiding how much they drink, then the chances are high that they are struggling with an addiction. For example, a person with an alcohol addiction may begin drinking in private or before a meeting with friends. A person with alcoholism or drug abuse may even lie about how much they drink and avoid any social situation where people will notice their drinking.
3. You Have Withdrawal Symptoms Even When Not Drinking
If some time passed since you had your last drink and you still have severe withdrawal symptoms, then chances are high that you are dealing with an addiction. In these cases, your body may already be dependent on the alcohol – so even if more than 24 hours have passed, you may still feel the symptoms. If your withdrawal symptoms become a constant aspect of your life, you’ll need medical detox.
4. You Start Experiencing Health Problems
Alcoholism takes its toll on the body, which means that a person with alcoholism may go through a series of physical problems. A person struggling with alcohol use disorder or chronic drinking may suffer from liver damage, anemia, heart damage, and even problems with the brain and the nervous system.
5. Your Performance Is Starting to Decline
Whether we are talking about performance in school or at work, alcoholism has a way of affecting it. Someone struggling with alcoholism may not be able to prioritize alcohol consumption overwork – and as a result, it may affect their performance. They might call in sick more often, they might show up drunk at the site and may perform poorly overall. For a person struggling with alcoholism, alcohol use has become a priority.
6. You See Negative Effects Even in Your Personal Life
A person with alcoholism may see their personal life declining as well. For instance, a person with alcoholism may have problems with their family or friends due to their alcohol consumption. They may also have frequent problems with the law while intoxicated. If this happens often, it may be a sign of alcoholism.
Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome can often be very difficult to manage, uncomfortable, and even life-threatening. This is why patients are given medicine to prevent the appearance of various alcohol detox symptoms. Acute withdrawal symptoms include:
Anxiety or Nervousness: These feelings can become prominent as the body adjusts to the absence of alcohol.
Tremors (Shakes): Handshaking or body tremors may develop within the first few hours after the last drink.
Sweating: Excessive perspiration, often accompanied by a higher heart rate, can be a withdrawal symptom.
Rapid Heartbeat: Heart rate can become rapid or irregular.
High Blood Pressure: Blood pressure levels may rise.
Insomnia or Difficulty Sleeping: Despite feeling tired, individuals going through withdrawal often have trouble falling or staying asleep.
Nausea or Vomiting: These can be common physical symptoms as the body detoxifies.
Loss of Appetite: Individuals may not feel like eating, which can lead to weight loss.
Hallucinations: Some individuals may start seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren’t there.
Confusion or Delirium Tremens (DTs): A severe form of alcohol withdrawal, this can cause agitation, fever, seizures, and hallucinations.
Seizures: In severe cases of withdrawal, individuals may experience seizures, often within the first 24 to 48 hours after the last drink.
It’s important to note that alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous and even life-threatening in severe cases, particularly for those with other health conditions or who have been drinking heavily for a long time. It should be managed under the supervision of healthcare professionals.
Best Types of Alcohol Detox
Depending on the level of your alcohol withdrawal symptoms and stage of alcoholism, several types of detox may be used to ensure that the alcohol stays out of your system. Here is what a reliable treatment center will often use:
Medical Detox
When it comes to alcohol detox, the standard way to get the alcohol out of your system is through medical detox. With medical detox, a patient is admitted to a facility until the drugs disappear from their system. This type of detox does not treat the underlying cause of the addiction, alcohol withdrawal seizures but the symptoms associated with the substance abuse. For alcohol abuse to be kept under control, long-term solutions need to be used as well.
Behavioral Modification
Even if the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are out of your system, it does not mean you are out of the woods. An alcohol addict may need a coping mechanism to avoid slipping back into their addiction. Your rehab doctor might refer you to a counselor or some associated treatment program to learn those skills.
Support Groups
Support groups are their own type of alcohol detoxification method. Support groups are full of people who went through the same thing you did – meaning that they understand your pain and struggles. When you see their stories of recovery, it becomes much easier for you to quit your alcohol addiction.
Start your Recover Journey Today!
Real Deal has all the treatment routes necessary to overcome your alcohol addiction. Whether you need medical detox, behavior modifications, substance abuse treatment, or access to support groups, Real Deal can cater to your every need. Inpatient therapy is recommended for alcohol detox at Real Deal, but patients may also opt for outpatient detox.
The first step to the alcohol detox process and quitting your alcohol addiction is realizing that you have a problem. See the signs and give us a call! You will receive the alcohol addiction help that you need.