There are many instances where people from different walks of life find themselves addicted and struggling to get out of it. Thankfully, with the advancement of technology and treatment methods, it has become easier to handle such situations.
There are many drug and alcohol detox treatments available today that give a new lease of life to people struggling with their addiction problem. These techniques are time-tested and thorough to ensure the root of addiction is terminated. Professional handling and consistent monitoring are why these techniques are so effective.
However, if you are curious how alcohol detox actually works, here’s a breakdown:
What is Alcohol Detoxification?
Alcohol detox is the first step towards recovery from an alcohol addiction. The process ensures all traces of alcohol are flushed out from your body completely. The initial symptoms of the detox are very strong, but they tend to subside within 1-3 weeks. The extent of the detox symptoms depends on the frequency of alcohol consumption.
Once your body completely detoxifies, other treatment processes like therapy, counseling, and activities will be initiated. Detox is an important step as it prevents the need to depend on alcohol to go through the day. While the initial days can be too overwhelming to process the root causes, emotions, and thoughts, it will become easier to possess the teachings and learn from these engagements over the weeks.
How Does Alcohol Addiction Affect the Body?
The brain: Alcohol can severely impact the brain’s communication pathways, causing mood swings, coordination difficulties, and inability to maintain consistent behavior. The neurotransmitter production is also affected.
The heart: The heart also gets affected due to alcoholism, and this can range from cardiomyopathy to high blood pressure and stroke.
The liver: Steatosis, fatty liver, fibrosis, and cirrhosis are often observed in people with alcohol addiction.
The pancreas: Pancreatitis is a condition where the pancreas produces toxic substances due to excessive alcohol exposure.
Aside from these health risks, frequently indulging in excessive consumption of alcohol can also lead to cancer.
Symptoms of Alcohol Detox to Expect
Withdrawal, in general, refers to the changes and symptoms the body undergoes when the addictive substance has been cut off. These symptoms for a person with alcohol addiction may look like:
- Anxiety
- Upset stomach
- Severe headaches
- Sweating
- Consistent vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Convulsions
- Mood swings
- Disorientation
In certain extreme cases, the person may experience hallucinations (auditory and visual) within three to four days of the detox. The case is also known as Delirium tremens and can be life-threatening. As a result, it is highly recommended not to undergo alcohol detoxification at home without any medical supervision.
Why Can Alcohol Detox Be Severe Sometimes?
Alcohol makes the central nervous system depressant and significantly changes how the brain functions. As a result, the brain ends up producing more neurotransmitters that make your body feel excited and thrilled, like you have hit the jackpot.
In the absence of alcohol, the brain produces the same set of neurotransmitters to compensate for the imbalance. This results in alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The extent of these symptoms usually depends on multiple factors, including how frequently you have been drinking, the quantity, at what point you decided to hit the brakes finally, and if you have other health conditions.
Alcohol Detox Timeline
Here’s how the detox starts in the body:
First stage:
- Begins within 10 hours of the last intake and can last up to 7 days.
- Nausea, shakes, and insomnia are common symptoms.
Second stage:
- Begins within the first 48 hours and can last up to ten days.
- Seizures may start.
Third stage:
- Starts within 48 hours of the last drink and lasts up to 3 days.
- Audio and visual hallucinations, confusion, mood changes, and agitation are common symptoms.
Bottomline
Alcohol detox is a life-altering treatment that can help people with alcohol addiction take control of their well-being. However, it is crucial to not take it upon oneself to undergo detoxification. Seek medical assistance to ensure you are detoxing and working on areas of life that matter.
