Because of its pervasiveness, alcohol is one of the most difficult substances to break away from once an addiction has set in. Learning how to detox from alcohol on your own can be almost impossible because the substance is so readily available.
The physical and mental addiction that alcohol abuse can create only serves to make this process even harder for many individuals. If someone you love is struggling with alcohol addiction and is attempting to detox, here are some things to consider.
How To Detox From Alcohol – Taper Off
For many individuals, the first step in detoxing from alcohol will be to reduce the amount of alcohol consumed gradually. When someone’s body is dependent on alcohol, they can go into shock if usage is discontinued too suddenly. Tapering off is suggested as the beginning of detox to ensure that the process is being embraced as safely as possible. At some point, alcohol must be stopped completely, and that’s where professionals take over.
Thankfully, simply deciding to work towards an alcohol detox can be what sets you on a path to sobriety. Once you’ve committed to the idea, you can begin working through a gradual reduction to complete withdrawal.
Addressing Withdrawal And Timeline
Much of the time, the full detoxification process can take anywhere from one to two months. Often, the patient’s relationship to alcohol determines this. For instance, binge drinkers seeking help may have a shorter window of withdrawal than long-time drinkers.
Alcohol’s effect on the brain is complex. Thus, withdrawal from it is equally complicated. As a depressant, alcohol blocks the brain’s neurotransmitters. This causes the common effects of intoxication. Heavy drinking over time or even regular light drinking for a prolonged period pushes the brain to adapt to alcohol. It becomes dependent on alcohol. Therefore, when alcohol leaves the system, the brain overcompensates. This is what causes withdrawal symptoms.
The hold that alcohol can have on the body often means a full recovery takes at least a few weeks. During this time, physical withdrawal may begin. Some of the potential withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Confusion
- Rapid Heartbeat
- Seizures
- Muscle Tremors
- Stomach Cramps
Professional Treatment from Serenity House Detox & Recovery
Detoxing from alcohol will always be safer when done surrounded by medical professionals. At a professional treatment facility, you’ll have staff nearby who can ensure that you stay comfortable while working through any withdrawal symptoms that may occur.
Individuals suffering from a meth addiction that is more mental than physical often need assistance from professionals before they can fully make their way towards sobriety. At the very least, spending time at a detox facility will allow you to avoid any of the harmful triggers in your immediate surroundings that may lead directly to a relapse. You’ll be able to learn the skills you need to maintain your sobriety over the long-term.
Serenity House Detox & Recovery offers professional detox services to individuals who are suffering from addiction. The staff at this facility are committed to providing care that ensures individuals seeking treatment are as comfortable as possible while starting their new drug-free life. Some of the many detox programs we offer include:
- Gender-specific detox for men and women
- Inpatient rehab
- Prescription drug detox
Pick up the phone and call Serenity House Detox & Recovery at 866.516.8356 today for more information about how you can begin working towards sobriety. There’s no reason to let your addiction determine how you spend the rest of your life. Sobriety is closer than you think.
