Moderate consumers of alcohol find it very easy to quit alcohol. After all, it is usually a social activity with good friends while enjoying an event or a night out. They can go for months, perhaps years, depending on how active their social life is without consuming alcohol. However, for those who develop an alcohol addiction, it is not so simple to quit alcohol. Approximately 76 million people worldwide are struggling with alcohol use disorder. Among this group are people who know they have a problem and want to stop but are unsuccessful. The main reason is that they suffer from alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms can be unpleasant and uncomfortable, and for many, they begin drinking again to alleviate the withdrawal.
The good news is that with professional help, you can likely overcome your alcohol dependency. You can ask for and enroll in alcohol detox programs at a professional treatment center. These centers will prescribe a variety of treatments that can save you from alcoholism.
What Is Alcohol Withdrawal?
If you consume alcohol for long, your body becomes dependent on it. The brain and the body adapt to functioning only under the influence of alcohol. When you finally decide to quit alcohol, your body reacts in response. These reactions, called withdrawal, are a form of readjustment by your brain to the change in alcohol use because your body has been reprogrammed to think alcohol is necessary for normal functioning.
In the process of readjusting, painful side effects manifest in a person. These are what we refer to as alcohol withdrawal symptoms. They might be mild or severe, depending on your stage of addiction. In addition to causing discomfort, withdrawals may trigger other mental health disorders. A good example of such disorders is depression and anxiety. In fact, it is quite common for those struggling with a substance use disorder to also have a mental health disorder. These two conditions feed into, and influence one another must be treated as one complex disease, not individually.
For example, if a person is depressed, they may turn to alcohol to numb themselves to the feelings of depression. However, alcohol is a depressant, and if that depressed individual turns to alcohol, they will remain depressed, which means they will continue to use alcohol; it’s a vicious cycle.
It is advisable not to self-detox at home if you are dependent or addicted to alcohol. Home detox increases your chances of succumbing to more severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
These symptoms can begin 2 to 6 hours after your last drink. In most people, it will last for about a week before the situation improves. The symptoms vary depending on the time after ingestion of the last drink.
The following are the common types of alcohol withdrawal symptoms and when they occur:
- 6 to 12 hours: These are the first signs. At this point, agitation and anxiety set it. The patient may start to vomit and feel nauseated. In some cases, they may start to shake.
- 12 to 24 hours: As time passes by, the intensity of the symptoms increases. The degree of discomfort also elevates. At this stage, you may become completely disoriented. Hand tremors and seizures are common too.
- 48 hours later: This is the peak period for the withdrawals. You will sweat excessively and develop a high fever. You will also suffer from insomnia and delirium tremens. It is common for patients to start hallucinating at this point. They may also develop high blood pressure, especially if they are diabetic.
If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol dependency or addiction, reach out to Midwest Detox Center at 833.647.0392. Deciding you need help is the first step. Let our professional team help you complete that step in a safe, supportive environment that maximizes your successful recovery.
Detox Programs at Midwest Detox Center
Several plans for people showing alcohol withdrawal symptoms are available.
They include:
- Men’s and women’s detox programs: Gender-specific programs help men and women feel comfortable during alcohol and drug detox.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): This treatment focuses on behaviors that push you towards addiction. It aims at changing the behavior for fast recovery.
- Group therapy program: This is a therapeutic modality of treatment. It aims to make the individual reconnect with those around them. This helps the person break free from the isolation that traps them in the cycle of addiction.
- Alumni program: A support program that helps you cope post-treatment. It reduces the chances of you relapsing.
Enroll in a Reputable Treatment Facility
Do not let alcohol addiction ruin your life. You can defeat it by joining a credible healthcare facility. These facilities will treat your addiction and the alcohol withdrawal symptoms that come with it. Contact Midwest Detox Center with any questions about alcohol detox or our programs. Call us at 833.647.0392 for relief from withdrawal symptoms.
