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Alcohol Detox

What You Should Know About Alcohol Addiction

Being addicted to alcohol causes chemical changes in the brain, and it is seen as a physical and mental illness, as it also results in behavioural changes that impact not only the person suffering, but their families, too. A person's symptoms can greatly vary in their alcohol addiction, depending on the amount they frequently drink. If you suffer from an addiction to alcohol you frequently find it difficult to stay sober, especially for long periods of time, and tend to drink excessive amounts.

Those who become addicted to alcohol may have turned to drinking to help them through trauma or a difficult life event such as a bereavement, unemployment, anxiety, depression, stress or shock as a result of a life-changing event.

Symptoms of suspected alcohol addiction include:

  • Nausea
  • Involuntary shaking or feeling 'twitchy' unless alcohol is consumed
  • Feeling hot
  • Sweating
  • Depression and/or feeling isolated because of a drinking problem
    • An alcohol addiction can put an intense amount of pressure on your financial situation, job and relationships with loved ones. At Step 1 Recovery, we can give you the tools you need to stop alcohol abuse for good. We pride ourselves on our status as a cutting edge, evidence-based, life-saving addiction treatment centre based in a luxurious Mediterranean estate.

How does Alcohol Addiction affect a person

Our bodies are not designed to have a frequent heavy intake of alcohol, so long-term alcohol abuse could result in physical symptoms such as increased risk of stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, liver disease and heart disease. Heavy drinking has psychological effects too, such as hormone imbalances which cause mood swings, stress, anxiety, depression and possibly suicidal thoughts. Short-term side effects from alcohol addiction include a slower reaction time, feeling short of breath, blurry vision, disorientation, an inability to articulate, poor reflex action and confusion.

How do I know if I need an Alcohol Detox?

Signs than an alcohol detox could be a possible step forward include:

  • Excessively drinking more and more
  • Lying/secretive behaviour about drinking
  • Drinking alcohol at unsociable times of the day
  • Consuming alcohol in places where it would be prohibited, such as at work
  • Constant thoughts of alcohol and drinking
  • Feeling sad and/or depressed, which disappears when you drink alcohol
  • Feeling anxiety when sober

 

These are just a few of the potential physical and psychological symptoms of alcohol abuse. If you or a relative might require an alcohol detox as part of rehabilitation, we can assist at Step 1 Recovery.

We pride ourselves on our status as a state-of-the-art addiction treatment centre based in a luxurious estate, and can help you live a sober life free from continued thoughts of drinking alcohol.

How does an Alcohol Detox programme work?

Detoxing from alcohol is different to detoxing from drugs. Where drugs can affect single parts of the body and withdrawal symptoms can be treated in isolation, alcohol affects the entire body, as it is absorbed by the bloodstream, so treating withdrawal symptoms can be tricky. Alcohol affects the central nervous system and is carried around the entire body before being metabolised. How a person absorbs and carries alcohol around their system depends entirely on their metabolism, health, age and build.

An alcohol detox in a safe environment is always recommended above trying to detox yourself, as alcohol withdrawal can cause the body to go into 'fight or flight' mode and indicate that something is wrong, which can cause an automatic 'panic' response. A proper detox clinic such as ours at Step 1 Recovery has the resources and staff to help you keep withdrawal symptoms within more comfortable parameters without worrying about their effects.

Withdrawal Symptoms of an Alcohol Detox

Many people experience withdrawal symptoms when they undertake an alcohol detox, and these usually start to happen after six hours from your last drink. If you're checking into a detox programme at a rehab centre such as ours, you will be under supervision to help limit the severity of your withdrawal symptoms.

Symptoms typically reported include nausea and vomiting, headaches, insomnia, feeling twitchy or restless, raised blood pressure, feeling agitated, feeling anxious and having general mood swings. Many patients report feeling very unwell when they first undertake an alcohol detox. In severe cases, alcohol withdrawal can bring on delirium tremens, known as 'DT'.

This is caused by a shock reaction in the body's nervous system to a sudden reduction in alcohol intake, and can cause hallucinations, blurred vision, seizures and fits, dry mouth, shock and even cardiac arrest. This is why it is extremely important to detox in a controlled environment to ensure that withdrawal symptoms are kept under control and are manageable.

Alcohol Detox with Step 1 Recovery

As well as the UK, we can be found in Moraira, Spain on the Costa Brava.

We like to give your mind positive, healing energy through a sunny, warm climate, which is said to help encourage positive mindsets. We also like our guests to try meditation and other mindful activities like yoga to achieve a more healthy balance in their mindset. Our retreat has a gym, health and beauty services and a pool, so you will have lots of calming activities to keep your mind occupied.

Your alcohol detox will be an enriching and rewarding process. We have the tools and professional team to help you succeed for good. Our staff pride themselves on being committed and passionate about their work for us. Our team has much knowledge and understanding of addiction therapy, as well as a positive yet compassionate approach to getting you back on track with life. Call today if you would like help with an alcohol detox.

Alcohol Detox FAQ's

What are the most common withdrawal symptoms?

When experiencing symptoms of alcohol withdrawal you may exhibit one of following minor side effects:
  • Increased Anxiety
  • Shaking
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Headaches
Other more severe symptoms (otherwise known as delirium tremens) may include:
  • Seizures
  • Sudden Mood Swings
  • High Blood Pressure
  • High Fever
  • Hallucinations

Will medication be used during a detox?

If your withdrawal from alcohol causes severe symptoms then we are able to give you prescribed medications such as benzodiazepine. Prescription medications help reduce the symptoms and lessen the risk of a potential seizure and can be absolutely essential in alcohol addiction treatment.

Is it safe to detox at home?

Due to the dangers that come with detox and withdrawal, we would strongly recommend that you do not try to detox at home. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is very serious and needs to be a medically assisted throughout its duration in case of any severe effects that may be caused to an individual. If you want to treat your alcohol dependence but don't want to pay for private treatment then we would strongly recommend getting in touch with the NHS or speaking with Alcoholics Anonymous.

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