Because alcohol is legal, it’s often considered less harmful than illicit and prescription drugs. Unfortunately, alcohol addiction can creep upon us. Social drinking with friends or a drink after work can quickly turn to habitual drinking. Then, habitual drinking can turn into alcohol dependency when the body experiences alcohol withdrawal. Luckily, there are alcohol detox centers for both men and women across the country and here in San Antonio, Texas, to help people recover from alcohol addiction.
If you or someone in your life is experiencing alcohol withdrawal, seek treatment today. An alcohol detox center can help you safely avoid relapse, alcohol poisoning, and death.
Alcohol Dependency and Alcohol Withdrawal
It can be hard to know the difference between habitual drinking and actual alcohol addiction. When the brain becomes dependent on alcohol for certain chemical processes, a person experiences withdrawal. This is the brain’s natural response when addicted to alcohol.
Withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Irritability
- Cravings
- Mood swings
- Tremors
- Excessive sweating
- Clammy skin
- Confusion
- Depression
- Hopelessness
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Memory problems
Withdrawal symptoms range in intensity, depending on a person’s tolerance and how often they drink. The more someone drinks, the more intense their symptoms and health complications can be.
During withdrawal, willpower is not enough to keep a person from drinking or using other drugs. It’s highly likely someone will overdose while trying to detox at home. At that point, things get dangerous. It’s important to remember that alcohol poisoning often leads to death.
What to Know Before Attending an Alcohol Detox Program
An alcohol detox program is the safest way to detox and recover from alcohol addiction. Here are three things to remember before entering a detox program:
1. Residential or Outpatient Care
Choosing between residential and outpatient detox often depends on a person’s level of independence and home life. Those without access to alcohol at home and plenty of support at home may be good candidates for outpatient recovery. Residential treatment, however, is often the best choice for alcohol recovery. Residential programs provide medically assisted detox and 24/7 care for early recovery.
2. Every Detox Journey Is Different
Most detox programs provide 30–90 days of treatment. Initial detox usually lasts a week. After this time, the worst withdrawal symptoms have passed and clients begin addiction therapy. It’s important to remember that each person’s addiction journey and body are different. Some individuals may experience post-withdrawal syndrome, meaning their withdrawal symptoms can reoccur and persist for months after detox. Fortunately, a detox facility can help mitigate these symptoms.
3. Therapy is as Vital as Detox
Addiction therapy is just as important as medically assisted detox. Whether a therapist diagnoses underlying mood disorders, helps treat unresolved trauma or provides exercises to change a client’s behavior, addiction therapy is a necessary part of addiction recovery. Any comprehensive addiction treatment program will provide behavioral therapy and other therapeutic services to help clients recover.
Finding an Alcohol Detox Facility Near You
Quitting alcohol cold turkey can be dangerous. People visit emergency rooms around the country every day for alcohol withdrawal symptoms. A detox program can prevent withdrawal symptoms and health complications, like dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. These and other complications can lead to serious health problems. Unfortunately, those who attempt to quit cold turkey at home often turn around and overdose. During alcohol overdose, a person becomes incapacitated and cannot ask for help.
If you or a loved one are attempting to quit alcohol and go cold turkey, you are not alone. There are plenty of alcohol detox centers ready to help. Whether you’re looking for inpatient or outpatient care for men and women, centers across the country can provide safe, effective, medically supervised detox for a strong and healthy recovery. Don’t wait, get the help you need today.