It can be tempting for a person with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) to attempt to quit drinking alcohol cold turkey. Unfortunately, alcohol detox can be dangerous. In the most severe circumstances, alcohol withdrawal can kill you. People who attempt to detox from alcohol on their own face a much higher chance of developing severe complications. The risk rises if they have had an alcohol abuse issue for a long time. Another dangerous element is drinking heavily before trying to detox.
Fortunately, persons contemplating alcohol detox in Dallas, TX, have several options for mitigating the risk. Medically supervised alcohol detox, along with inpatient treatment, is a far safer option. To understand why medical detox is a better alternative, first grasping what alcohol detox is and some of the alcohol detox effects are important. This blog by experts from Mallard Lake Detox, serving Dallas, TX, entails more information regarding what alcohol detox is, some of the alcohol detox effects, and how medical detox can help mitigate these effects.
What is Alcohol Detox?
When a person consumes alcohol or drugs frequently, their body becomes used to the drug and alters its function to make up for the effects. Alcohol detoxification can be painful and even fatal. Hence, it is always advisable to undertake alcohol detox under medical oversight. Alcohol and drugs alter the way the brain works by interfering with neurotransmitters. To maintain equilibrium, the brain makes adjustments. If the individual discontinues the use of the drug, it takes some time for the brain to acclimate to the absence of effects. The first stage of readjustment is characterized by symptoms of withdrawal, also known as alcohol detox effects, that are often the inverse of the substance’s effects, known as detoxification. When someone says they’re “detoxing,” they imply they’re having uncomfortable emotional and physical symptoms as their bodies and brains work to restore normal functioning after stopping using a drug they were taking often.
Alcohol Detox Effects
Alcohol detox effects simply refer to the withdrawal symptoms that individuals undergo upon cessation of drinking. Individuals experience different detox effects depending on their drinking length, amount, age, overall health, genetic composition, etc. The detox effects normally appear within hours after the last drink and can endure for a few days, if not more. These effects can be classified as mild or severe.
Mild detox effects
Mild detox effects often appear within 12-24 hours after the last consumption and may include
- Anxiety and restlessness
- Headaches
- Insomnia and difficulty sleeping
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tremors or shaking
- Sweating and increased heart rate
- Mood swings and irritability
- Loss of appetite
These symptoms may be unpleasant, but they are frequently treatable with medical assistance and can be regarded as the body’s first reaction to the lack of alcohol.
Severe detox effects
In other situations, detox can cause more serious symptoms, including seizures, hallucinations, or disorientation. These normally develop between 48 and 72 hours following the last drink. In even more severe circumstances, a hazardous condition known as delirium tremens may develop, resulting in seizures, severe disorientation, convulsions, and potentially a coma. These severe alcohol detox effects can be life-threatening and need emergency medical intervention.
How Can Medical Alcohol Detox Help Mitigate The Alcohol Detox Effects?
Previously, the sole treatment for alcohol detox was to reduce alcohol intake gradually. Nowadays, medications may be used to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and avoid significant complications. As aforementioned, GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain that slows nerve transmission, reducing anxiety and seizure activity while promoting relaxation. Alcohol stimulates GABA immediately, but with continuous, heavy consumption, it is down-regulated. Chronic alcohol drinking and withdrawal alters the equilibrium of neurotransmitters in the brain, potentially leading to withdrawal symptoms such as seizures upon cessation. Benzodiazepines and other GABA-stimulating medications can help with the detox process by minimizing anxiety symptoms and preventing seizures.
During medical detox, one will be under 24/7 medical supervision, making sure that any arising detox effect is dealt with promptly, thus enhancing comfort during detox and withdrawal. You don’t have to suffer alone. Reach out to experts at Mallard Lake to learn more about how our medical detox can help.
Experience Safe and Compassionate Alcohol Detox at Mallard Lake Detox Center, Serving Dallas, TX.
Despite the alcohol detox effects being tough to deal with, particularly if they are severe, you can overcome them and begin your recovery. Expert addiction treatment personnel from Mallard Lake Detox Center can guide you through each step of your therapy in a supportive setting, allowing you to address your drinking issues and withdrawal symptoms. Call us today for more information. We can help you break the addiction cycle and overcome your alcohol detox effects in order to achieve sustained recovery and sobriety.
