Alcohol addiction affects the lives of millions of people in the United States every day. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that 17.6 million Americans suffer from alcoholism. Alcohol-related deaths has long been one of the most common causes of death in adults. Many try unsuccessfully to quit because they do not follow the proper steps. They find themselves relapsing and falling back into their old ways. Most people ignore that detox from alcohol is a must for anyone trying to beat an alcohol addiction. Here’s why:
The Importance of Detox
One of the hardest obstacles to overcome is managing the alcohol withdrawal symptoms that arise after you stop drinking. Some find these symptoms unbearable and are therefore unable to maintain their sobriety for more than a day or two. Alcohol detox programs helps you manage these symptoms, leaving you in a better position to seek long-term treatment.
Quitting cold turkey can have detrimental effects that are sometimes life-threatening. Seizures and even coma may result when a person stops drinking suddenly. This is why anyone with a serious drinking problem should not attempt detox at home. Doctors advise people to seek the proper medical help for detoxing instead of trying to quit on your own. People will stray from detoxing and begin drinking in order to curb the withdraw
Detoxification on its own is insufficient to curb alcohol use. However, when combined with an effective rehabilitation program, it greatly increases the odds of you remaining sober.
What Happens During Detox from Alcohol?
Upon quitting alcohol, you may experience side effects that range from moderate to severe. Everyone experiences different effects during the detox stage. A few of the more common ones include:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Delirium tremens
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
You may begin noticing these symptoms within a few hours after taking your last drink. The effects of withdrawal will peak in intensity within 24 to 72 hours. During that time, doctors might prescribe medication to help make the symptoms more bearable.
Detox from alcohol can take anywhere from three to ten days, depending on how severe your addiction is. Generally speaking, the longer you have suffered from alcoholism, the longer it will take you to detox. The same is true if you are an especially heavy user of alcohol. Years of alcohol abuse can lead to a number of health issues, both mentally and physically. It is important to have a medical professional available to monitor you during the process.
What’s Next after Detox?
Following detox, you are then ready to begin an intense rehabilitation program to address your substance abuse problem. You’ll find it easier to focus on getting well when you are not plagued with intense cravings or unusual withdrawal symptoms.
Each treatment program is different, but you could expect full recovery to take anywhere from 30 to 90 days. You may even wish to enroll in an aftercare program to provide ongoing support and help maintain your sobriety.
Detox Services at Serenity House Detox & Recovery
Here at Serenity House, we understand how important detox from alcohol is for you and your family. We want to make sure that you receive the proper attention and help as necessary. As such, we provide the following detox services to help you beat your addiction:
- Men’s detox program
- Women’s detox program
- Medical detox program
- Alcohol detox program
- Drug detox Houston
Don’t let alcoholism control your life. Overcome your alcohol addiction at our quality drug rehab. Call Serenity House Detox & Recovery at 866.516.8356 and start your recovery journey. There is no wrong time to get help for addiction. Make the call for help today.
