Alcohol has long been known to wreak havoc on the body and brain. Over time, it can create a false homeostasis that allows the user to become dependent on the drug.
To break this cycle, an alcohol detox program is the best choice. It involves a number of medical and psychological therapies that work to restore balance between the mind and body.
Symptoms of withdrawal
When you abruptly stop drinking alcohol, the brain has to chemically readjust itself. This causes a series of symptoms, known as withdrawal.
Early symptoms may include anxiety, sleeplessness, nausea, tremors, and loss of appetite. Some people will experience more severe symptoms, such as hallucinations and seizures.
These symptoms usually begin within 5 to 10 hours after the last drink and peak at 24 to 48 hours. They also include tremors (shakes), increased blood pressure, rapid breathing, sweating, nausea and vomiting, an anxiety or hyper-alert state, irritability, nightmares or vivid dreams, and insomnia.
Symptoms are often treated with medication, which can reduce the severity of withdrawal. In addition, people who are experiencing withdrawal should seek professional help to ensure that they don’t relapse.
How long does it take to detox?
There are many factors that can impact the length of time it takes to detoxify. These include age, gender, health, alcohol use history and genetics.
Typically, withdrawals from alcohol start around eight hours after the last drink and progress through three stages. Each stage of withdrawal is associated with a specific set of symptoms and generally lasts for five to seven days on average.
In some cases, symptoms of withdrawal can be life-threatening. For example, alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures and delirium tremens, a severe syndrome that is often fatal.
In these circumstances, it is best to seek professional help for alcohol detox. Medical professionals at a recovery center can monitor your vital signs, provide medications and offer guidance throughout the detox process. These professionals can also assist you in dealing with any mental and physical problems that may exist alongside your addiction to alcohol. This will make the detoxification process much easier to go through.
How to avoid a hangover
A hangover from alcohol can be a devastating experience, with symptoms such as headache, nausea, dizziness, and sensitivity to light or sound. Luckily, there are some things you can do to reduce the severity of a hangover from drinking, or even prevent it completely.
Drinking water helps offset the effects of alcohol, which dehydrates the body. It also helps to replace lost electrolytes.
Eating before you drink can slow down the absorption of alcohol, giving your metabolism more time to break it down. Salty, fatty foods such as cheese, eggs, and bananas also delay alcohol absorption.
Avoid mixing your drinks with carbonated mixers, as the gas in them speed up the rate of alcohol absorption.
You should also try to stick to lighter alcoholic beverages, as darker liquors can lead to more severe hangovers. This is because these types of beverages have a high concentration of congeners, which are toxins formed during the fermentation and distillation process.
How to recover from alcohol addiction
Alcohol addiction, or alcohol use disorder, is a serious disease that affects millions of people worldwide. It can be a devastating problem because it causes a person to lose control over their drinking habits, which interfere with work and relationships.
The key to recovering from an alcohol addiction is getting help. Whether you need inpatient or outpatient care, a treatment specialist can help you overcome your addiction and live a sober life.
Once you have made the decision to seek help, it is important to understand that recovery from an addiction will be a long journey. It will take a lot of dedication and effort on your part.
Having a support network can make all the difference in your recovery. This could include family, friends or even a support group like those offered through 12 step programs.
