Being addicted to alcohol can be an overwhelming experience and there comes a point when enough is enough. You are tired of blacking out without being able to control your body, you wake up hungover and have no idea what happened the night before. Moreover, you are tired of always disappointing your friends and family over and over again due to your behavior under the influence of alcohol. The willingness to change your habits and battle your addiction is the first step toward recovery. Read below how to approach alcoholism detox and start your life over without your addiction.
Understand your problem
You may have understood that your addiction is affecting you and your loved ones but, perhaps, you never realized how serious it was until now. Alcoholism is a serious disease that needs medical attention because chronic alcohol abuse can lead to the development of tolerance which means that it requires you to consume increasing amounts of alcohol in order to feel the desired effects or intoxication. As tolerance increases, alcohol abuse continues leading to deadly consequences such as physical toxicity and lead to overdose. Once you are dependent on alcohol, unpleasant and potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms will emerge once you suddenly cut back on alcohol.
Withdrawal symptoms
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range from slightly uncomfortable to an extreme nuisance depending on how addicted you are to alcohol. Mild symptoms usually show up as early as 6 hours after you stop drinking and they can include:
- Anxiety
- Shaky hands
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Sweating
However, there are more serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms that can be very dangerous and even fatal if you do not get professional medical support and help. More serious problems can include hallucinations, seizures, confusion, racing heart, fever, and high blood pressure. The most dangerous alcohol withdrawal symptom is delirium tremens because it can create sudden and dangerous changes in a person’s nervous system and brain chemistry. Unfortunately, it can be a fatal condition and it is most common in heavy drinkers.
Treatment
Usually, the alcohol withdrawal symptoms tend to emerge within 4-12 hours of the last drink as alcohol is metabolized and cleared from the body. You might be scared about entering a detox program but it is the only one that can provide you with medical supervision and support needed for your safety. Unless you have a serious health condition that might become fatal in combination with the withdrawal symptoms, you can get sober only by having a supportive environment such as a quiet place, a positive and supportive atmosphere, and healthy food and lots of fluids. However, if you are a heavy drinker or you have had serious withdrawals in the past, it is vital to seek professional help for your condition. Many consider at-home detox because they are ashamed by their addiction and want to keep it hidden from other people. However, due to severe withdrawal symptoms and mental instability, they often fail and start drinking again. That is why it is better to seek professional help in rehab institutions because there is no place more comfortable, safe-feeling, and controlled than when you are helped by prof
