Alcohol is a substance that can be highly addictive and can often lead to alcohol dependence or addiction. Once an addiction has developed, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be very painful and last for days, and many times will result in failure and keep people from trying again. To successfully break a dependency on alcohol, it may take a drug and alcohol detox program that can give the medication and therapy needed to complete alcohol addiction recovery successfully.
At Arkview Recovery Center, we specialize in drug and alcohol addiction recovery through detox, inpatient, and outpatient programs. Our goal is genuine, long-lasting recovery, and we achieve this by staying with you through every step of your recovery process. If you or a loved one is ready to break the hold alcohol has on them, call 717.744.0756 or complete our online form today. Our team can tell you more about our drug and alcohol detox programs and how we can help you get through your alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
How Your Body Creates a Dependency on Alcohol
When you drink alcohol, you flood your body with chemicals that reproduce euphoric feelings that your brain typically produces. Dopamine is the primary neurotransmitter responsible for making you feel happy. But when you drink, you overload your body with chemicals that mimic those feelings. Your brain stops producing dopamine naturally because it thinks there is an overabundance of it in your body.
After some time with continual drinking, your brain will stop producing dopamine altogether as your body is now getting those chemicals from an external source. When you stop drinking, your body does not automatically start producing dopamine right away. It can take up to a year for your brain to start producing dopamine naturally again.
Your alcohol withdrawal symptoms will range in severity depending on how long you have abused alcohol and how much you consume. Some of the common alcohol withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anxiousness
- Rapid heart rate
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Seizures
Symptoms can start as soon as a few hours after your last drink and continue for up to four or more days or until you have another drink.
Stages of an Alcohol Detox Program
When you join Arkview Recovery Center’s drug and alcohol detox program, you will go through four stages of alcohol detox.
Admissions
When you first arrive at Arkview Recovery Center, we will welcome you in and gather information about your alcohol or drug use, family history of addiction and complete a thorough medical examination. Our team of therapists and medical staff will create a customized treatment plan that best suits your needs.
Withdrawal
This stage of detox is what intimidates people the most. But there is nothing to fear as we will be by your side throughout your alcohol withdrawal symptoms and make sure you are as comfortable as possible during this time. You will be in a safe place where your safety and comfort are our number one concern.
Medication
To help ease some of your withdrawal symptoms, our medical staff may prescribe FDA-approved medication through medication-assisted treatment (MAT). These drugs can help reduce the painful withdrawal symptoms as well as curb your cravings for alcohol.
Support
During your time in our drug and alcohol detox program, you will have our complete support to help when you are struggling to keep a positive outlook during this difficult time. Your vital signs will be monitored daily, and you will have all of the encouragement and motivation from our friendly team members.
Overcome Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms with Help from Arkview Recovery Center
At Arkview Recovery Center, we want you to know that you do not need to go through the sometimes painful alcohol withdrawal symptoms alone. Our friendly and professional staff will help make you feel as comfortable as possible while you begin your addiction recovery.
Call 717.744.0756 or complete our online form to learn more about our drug and alcohol detox program when you are ready to stop letting addiction control your life.