Are you worried that you are an alcoholic? While many people can recognize the issues of binge drinking, many others remain in denial of their problems. Alcohol is legal and readily available. This makes alcohol one of the most common substances that people become addicted to. When you or a loved one are struggling with their drinking, an alcohol detox center can be the first step to lasting recovery.
Alcohol addiction can cause painful and dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Both the brain and the body become used to alcohol, and the changes that come with going “cold turkey” can be especially difficult. Detox symptoms include nausea, vomiting, chills, dehydration, and fatigue.
At a detox center, you receive medical care that ensures your safety as you begin recovery.
Alcohol detox programs help manage these withdrawal symptoms. These treatment centers also provide around-the-clock care and monitoring. This ensures that if you face serious withdrawal symptoms, you can receive care promptly. Once you have completed detox, you have the option for further treatment, either in a residential addiction treatment center or in an outpatient setting. Reaching out to a detox center is the first step on the road to lifelong recovery.
What Should You Expect During Detox?
While detox helps to limit the most serious effects of alcohol withdrawal, you may still face some of the withdrawal effects. The most important thing to remember is that you have access to all of the medical care that you may need. This means that while you may experience discomfort, you can avoid serious complications from dehydration, seizures, and delirium. Holistic addiction therapies, like yoga and acupuncture, help ease you aches and pains, so you can focus completely on recovery.
Some of the common detox symptoms that you might encounter include:
- Shakes and tremors
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dehydration
- Body aches and pains
- Changes to your heart rate and blood pressure
- Insomnia and exhaustion
- Increased anxiety
Beginning Alcohol Detox
The goal of alcohol detox is to make withdrawal as safe and comfortable as possible. Getting through this early stage of recovery provides a foundation for lifelong change. Many people find that withdrawal and detox are the biggest hurdles to recovery. Thus, a medical detox program can be crucial for successful treatment.
The benefits of alcohol detox include:
- Medical care during the detox process
- Around-the-clock monitoring of your vital signs
- Improved access to medical care
- A safe detox environment
- Access to mental health treatment
The last point can be especially important for some individuals. Often, people who are struggling with addiction are also struggling with the symptoms of a mental health disorder. These men and women begin to self-medicate with alcohol, and this quickly spirals into addiction. Through addiction therapy programs, therapists and clinicians help you identify unhealthy behaviors, so you can work on the coping skills you will need for recovery.
Find Alcohol Detox Today
If you are struggling with alcohol addiction, reaching out to a detox center is the first step on the path to a new life. Don’t let addiction and alcoholism control you any longer. Contact a detox center, and begin the path to recovery today.