The first step to overcoming alcohol addiction is detox. To many, the alcohol detox process can seem overwhelming and intimidating. However, detox is an essential part of the recovery process, and, with the proper staff and amenities, it doesn’t have to be so unpleasant. At an alcohol addiction rehab center, you can get the proper help you need.
What Causes Withdrawal?
When you drink heavily for a long time, you regularly expose your brain to the effects of alcohol. The mind thinks it wants more of this effect, causing you to have a dependence on alcohol. Then, it requires more alcohol to get the same result.
When you suddenly stop drinking, alcohol abruptly halts inhibiting your brain’s neurotransmitters. As a result, your brain struggles to adjust to the chemical irregularity. This struggle causes nausea, headaches, delirium tremens, and other withdrawal symptoms.
The side effects differ depending on the person. You may be nervous to stop drinking because you fear the uncomfortable symptoms. However, for the good of your health and your relationships, you must push through your fears and reach out to an alcohol addiction detox and rehabilitation program.
Symptoms of Withdrawal
During the first stage of withdrawal, you may experience anxiety, whole-body tremors, vomiting, insomnia, profuse sweating, shakiness, or heart failure. These are symptoms that can range in severity depending on the extremity of the alcohol addiction.
After you have been sober for an extended period of time, there will still be anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, diminished appetite, mood swings, or depression. Not all symptoms will be present for everyone. Each individual’s process is different and will feel different.
These symptoms are what make it dangerous to detox alone. Withdrawal is hard, and it takes help to do it successfully. To be sure of your safety and progress, getting professional help is highly recommended.
The Need For Alcohol Detox
Addiction can have an enormous impact on you and your loved ones. The strain on those around you can range from financial to emotional. It can be difficult, if not outright impossible, to maintain control of your life. We understand this struggle and are here to tell you that you’re not alone. Millions of others are wrestling with the same things.
However, while many people know the hardships of addiction, each person’s struggle is also unique. Addressing each person’s specific struggle is the purpose of medical alcohol detox. We want to meet your specific needs as you go through this major transition.
You might need detox from alcohol if you have developed a high tolerance for it. This means that you have found that when you drink the same amount of alcohol, it has a diminished effect on you and therefore need more to achieve the same result. If you have tried to reduce your intake but experienced withdrawal symptoms, detox might be the next step for you to take.
Am I Addicted to Alcohol?
Before you decide what detox facility to go to, you must answer the question: Am I an alcoholic? This question can be challenging to answer, but it doesn’t have to be.
Drinking alcohol has become a part of our world. We don’t immediately raise our alarms when we see someone drinking. Society embraces alcohol and many cultures use drinking as a symbol of celebration.
Because society has skewed our points of view, we could allow ourselves to go down a path of addiction without even noticing. This makes it difficult for a heavy user to admit they have a problem. It may take involvement from family and friends to highlight the need for treatment and encourage a person to seek help.
When Do I Need to Stop Drinking?
How do you know when your drinking has crossed a line? Drinking alcohol turns into a problem when it starts to affect your life in a negative way. When drinking gets out of hand, all aspects of your life get tangled up with it. It no longer represents an occasional celebration, it represents an escape and becomes a part of your routine.
If you are an alcoholic, you cannot control your alcohol use. You compulsively drink, even though you may grapple with its negative consequences. You might also endure emotional discomfort when you don’t drink. If you wish you could cut back but can’t or tend to drink more than you expected to, ask yourself if alcoholism is a possible explanation for it.
If you answered “yes” to two or more of the questions above, you have an alcohol addiction. While there is no shame in having an alcohol addiction, you should seek treatment as soon as possible. Our alcohol addiction treatment program is waiting for you when you’re ready to get treatment. The first step in any recovery program is detox.
Other signs that you may be an alcoholic include:
- Do you use more alcohol or drink longer than you intended to?
- Are you unable to decrease your alcohol use even though you want to?
- Do you spend an increasing amount of time getting, drinking, or recovering from alcohol?
- Do you experience alcohol cravings?
- Are you unable to meet your commitments at home, work, or school due to your drinking?
- Do you continue to use alcohol, though you have adverse social or interpersonal problems, most likely due to alcohol?
- Have you given up the activities you used to enjoy in favor of alcohol?
- Do you use alcohol in risky situations, like operating machinery or driving?
- Are you experiencing withdrawal symptoms if you try to stop drinking?
- Do you need to drink more alcohol or need to drink more frequently to get the ‘buzz?’
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If you answered “yes” to two or more of the questions above, you have an alcohol addiction. While there is no shame in having an alcohol addiction, you should seek treatment as soon as possible. Our alcohol addiction treatment program is waiting for you when you’re ready to get treatment. The first step in any recovery program is detox.
What Is Alcohol Detox?
In order for you to begin the recovery process, you must rid your body of addictive chemicals. Phoenix Rising is the highest quality alcohol detox center Palm Springs has to offer. We will provide professional supervision as well as holistic recovery options.
Attention and supervision are important for a number of reasons. First, detox is an uncomfortable, sometimes even dangerous, ordeal. Medical supervision helps make you feel safe while also taking care of your recovering body.
People who have been drinking heavily for a long time are more likely to experience negative side effects during detox. Prolonged alcohol abuse can lead to tolerance and biological changes that create a tougher time for you during the detox period.
Withdrawal can also initially leave a person feeling very fragile or weak. For this reason, alcohol detox programs frequently come attached to therapy programs and activities. They are there to help make sure your recovery is long-lasting.
Detox usually takes somewhere between five to seven days, but it can last as long as two weeks. The process involves three steps:
- Intake: This is the first step where medical professionals do a full review of the drug, medical, and psychiatric history of the patient to understand each situation fully.
- Medication: During this period, many detoxification programs incorporate medications to mitigate withdrawal symptoms.
- Stabilization: This occurs when the patient undergoes medical and psychological therapies to help them reach a balance of mind and body.
Different Types of Detox
There are multiple types of alcohol detox treatment. Understanding your preferences is a key part of optimizing your recovery plan.
- Inpatient vs. Outpatient: Inpatient programs require that you stay on site for the entire detox process. This is particularly important for anyone who may require medical attention. Outpatient programs allow you to go home after each day. This means that you may be discharged with or without withdrawal medication.
- Holistic Treatment: Holistic detox involves activities and programs that are designed to heal your mind, body, and spirit. A holistic approach would involve no medication, but rather strive to help you achieve balance in your life. A successful holistic recovery will allow you to heal without dependency on another chemical.
Having a diverse array of options means that you can choose whatever treatment best suits your needs. Every person has an entirely unique path to recovery. Phoenix Rising distinguishes itself as a top alcohol detox center Palm Springs has to offer by letting you tailor your recovery plan to your specific preferences.
After Detox
Detox is only the first step of treatment for people trying to overcome their alcohol addiction. Getting rid of the alcohol in your body allows you to have a clear mind which will help with the rest of the recovery process.
After you’ve gone through the detox process, we offer the following services.
Learn More About Alcohol Detox at Phoenix Rising
Finally, if you or a loved one is dealing with alcohol addiction, alcohol detox is the place to start. If you want to learn more, contact us today. We are here to help.