Making the decision to abandon an addiction to alcohol is an intelligent and brave one indeed. Perhaps you are searching for answers in regards to why you must go through detox and what alcohol withdrawals are going to feel like.
It is important to understand that in any rehab program that you attend, phase one is always going to be a detox stage. However, the good news is that you won’t have to be alone during this challenging time. We at Asheville Detox are equipped to keep you as safe and comfortable as possible during your detox period.
Detoxing From Alcohol Must Be Your First Step
When you decide to get professional help for your drinking problem from a rehab facility, the first step we are going to ask you to take is to stop drinking alcohol completely. You won’t be weaned off of alcohol little by little. For your own best interests, you are going to need to quit drinking cold turkey, so to speak. Logically, you may be wondering why it must be this way.
Your body and mind have become physically dependent on alcohol. Allowing this addiction to continue on any level would simply be moving your efforts backward. When entering a treatment center, you must make a conscious decision to leave alcohol completely behind and become sober. Part of this journey involves detoxifying your system during what is known as the alcohol withdrawal phase.
What to Expect With Alcohol Withdrawals
An unpleasant, yet necessary part of the detox process that you will experience is alcohol withdrawal. These undesirable symptoms that are a part of quitting alcohol are one of the main reasons why getting help from a detox center is so ideal. So many times, when individuals try and quit alcohol on their own at home, they become surprised at the severity of their withdrawal symptoms. They are so miserable that relapse becomes the inevitable result.
Mentally and emotionally, during withdrawals, you may be anxious or depressed. You may feel like isolating yourself from others. You may feel irritable, have poor concentration, and have trouble sleeping.
Here are some common physical symptoms you will experience during alcohol withdrawals:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Tightness in your chest
- Sweating
- Trouble breathing
- Headaches
- Diarrhea
If you have been drinking heavily for a prolonged period of time, you may even experience seizures, hallucinations, or delirium tremens.
The Goals of Treatment
At Asheville Detox, one of our main goals is to reduce the severity of your withdrawal symptoms. First, we provide you with a calm, supportive environment, filled with friendly, helpful professionals. In addition to this, we may give you certain prescription medications that are known to combat specific withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia and seizures, if needed.
Another important objective, once you have made it through your detox period, is to make sure we have equipped you with the knowledge of how to stay strong in the face of risking relapse. You will recognize the triggers that cause you to become tempted to drink and learn how to make better choices in regard to them.
Receiving Professional Help at Asheville Detox
Now that you know how serious alcohol withdrawals can really get, you might agree that it is best to get professional help to overcome your alcohol dependency. Asheville Detox is an ideal place for you to make this transition. We treat your healing with a holistic approach, and teach you how to make better decisions for yourself in the future. If you are ready to turn over a new leaf and begin again, contact one of our addiction specialists today.
