Overcoming an addiction to alcohol is a battle that often starts with a medically supervised detox in a safe and supportive environment. Experts agree that going through it alone at home is typically not a good idea because of potentially severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms. So, what are these alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and when will they stop?
At Santé Center for Healing, we have experience in helping our clients through the initial stages of addiction recovery. With the help of our alcohol detox program, our clients find the support they need to recover in relative comfort. They can then enroll in one of our additional treatment options. Are you ready to put your addiction behind you? If so, please contact our treatment staff today at 866.238.3154 or use our simple contact form, and one of our team members will get in touch as soon as possible.
The First 12 Hours of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Are the Easiest
You may not experience your first alcohol withdrawal symptoms until you’ve been without a drink for about six to eight hours. The drug is still partially in your system. The initial symptoms are signals that your body sends to replenish the chemicals. Look for feelings of gastrointestinal upset that make you feel like you have the flu. The initial alcohol withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Shakiness and sweating
As time progresses, the feelings of nausea and stomach cramps worsen. You’re not able to sleep. It’s possible to feel anxious and nervous without knowing why. If you haven’t already done so, we recommend checking into medically supervised detox now.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Get Physically Tougher for the Next Few Days
It’s now been a day since your last alcoholic drink. Your blood pressure may occasionally spike because your heartbeat is irregular. You’ll also likely sweat a lot at this stage.
Depending on how long you’ve had an alcohol addiction, you may experience this stage for one to three days. It’s possible to have moments of confusion and disorientation, too. Medical supervision at this stage ensures that your body stays healthy and remains comfortable. Previously heavy drinkers may encounter bouts of hallucinations and seizures after two to three days without a drink.
At this level of withdrawal, medical supervision is a necessity. The goal is to protect you from self-harm and relapse. You’re almost through the detox process, and giving up now would be a regrettable mistake. During the end spurt, you’ll gradually start to feel better.
After Detox, Rehab Assists with the Psychological Withdrawal
Detox succeeds in breaking the physical addiction to alcohol in a week to ten days. At this point, your body now no longer believes that it needs the drug to function and survive. However, your mind may tempt you to go back. For this reason, seasoned therapists strongly recommend addiction treatment at a rehab facility that includes various levels of care.
When you seek out assistance at Santé Center for Healing, you have access to a number of resources such as:
- Complete customization of your treatment protocol to meet your current and future needs
- Therapy groups that focus on alcohol recovery and help you find new ways of dealing with trigger situations
- One-on-one psychiatrist-led therapy that helps you understand the why of your addiction
- Experiential therapy opportunities that provide hands-on activities as a way of building self-esteem
- Family therapy options to assist with rebuilding broken relationships and prevent relapse
- Intensive outpatient options for continuing care
If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to alcohol, you don’t have to go it alone. Contact Santé Center for Healing today for more information about our services.
Contact Santé Center for Healing
Alcohol abuse can lead to a number of long-term health issues. Don’t let alcohol addiction take control of your life. You can overcome your addiction with Santé. Contact the friendly therapists at Santé Center for Healing today for real help by calling 866.238.3154.
