Alcohol Withdrawal - Willimanic
When a person abuses alcohol and eventually develops an alcohol addiction, there comes a moment in their life that they realize they have a problem. And along with this realization comes the desire to turn their lives around and make a change. However, this desire is only the beginning and is not enough by itself to break the cycle of alcohol abuse and regret.
The next step is contacting the Alcohol Treatment Center, Willimantic. Addict specialists can help alcoholics and their loved ones find medical detox treatment centers, continuing rehabs and various therapies to suit your specific needs.
What is Alcohol Withdrawal?
Alcohol withdrawal is the process the mind and body goes through as the last remnants of alcohol leave the system and the time period that follows in which the mind and body still need, desire, and crave alcohol. This process can be quite difficult to handle, especially if a person is not properly prepared for or knowledgeable about what is to come.
What Causes Alcohol Withdrawal?
Alcohol withdrawal is caused by the physical and mental dependence that has developed over time and through frequent alcohol use and abuse.
When a person consumes alcohol, it excites and stimulates the nervous system. As a person begins to abuse alcohol on a regular, daily basis, the central nervous system becomes dependent on the alcohol to stimulate this nerve reaction. When the body is deprived of this alcohol, the nervous system reacts negatively causing physical and emotional symptoms.
It is important to note that a person who is dependent upon alcohol may go through withdrawals prior to trying to go through full detox. Depending on the frequency of their drinking, a person can begin to experience withdrawals as soon as 6 hours after their last drink.
What Are The Symptoms Of Withdrawal?
Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol can run the gamut from minor to severe and life-threatening. Common mental and emotional symptoms include anxiety, depression, cravings, confusion and disorientation, insomnia, and vivid nightmares.
Physical symptoms include nausea and vomiting, tremors, headaches, increased heart rate, changes in blood pressure, and profuse sweating. Those patients who are lucky during the withdrawal process experience nothing beyond these basic common mental and physical symptoms.
The more severe symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol can make the person going through them dangerous to themselves and others and may be life-threatening. These include extreme agitation and confusion, experiencing delusions (seeing things, hearing things, and/or feeling things that are not really there), high fevers, and in some cases fever.
Why Shouldn't You Detox On Your Own?
Many people either feel that they are stronger than other people going through withdrawals or are embarrassed to allow anyone to see them go through the struggle. These people often attempt to white-knuckle detox on their own at home. However, it is difficult if not impossible for a person to quit drinking all on their own without support and separation from the ability to use.
This is the nature of addiction.
There is no way to know whether or not a person will experience severe withdrawal symptoms that will require immediate medical interventions.
As such, the best environment in which to go through detox and withdrawals is to do so in residential treatment facilities, rehab centers, or hospitals. This separates the person from the ability to access alcohol and to relapse mid-detox. Medical supervision allows for IV fluids and other medical interventions that will help to ease the withdrawal symptoms.
For more information, call (877) 804-1531 to speak with a representative about finding the right facilities for your specific needs, at Alcohol Treatment Center, Willimantic.