Alcohol Detox
What Is Alcohol Detox?
The first step in overcoming alcohol addiction is getting the substance out of your body. This process is known as detoxification or detox. If you’ve been using alcohol excessively, you need to purge the toxins out of your system before you can move on to rehab. Some of the withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol detox can be life-threatening so it’s best to undergo detox in a treatment facility. In such a setting, the person struggling with addiction has access to medical professionals, medication, and counseling.
On this page, you’ll learn more about alcohol abuse and addiction and what you can expect when you go through alcohol detox. If you’re ready to end your dependence on alcohol, you should reach out to the team at Oasis Detox.
What is An Alcohol Rehab Center?
An alcohol rehab center is a facility that’s devoted to treating alcoholism. Professionals work with individuals to heal the body and mind from the effects of addiction and help them to find alternatives to drinking. Rehab programs usually take the form of either inpatient or outpatient treatment, depending on the needs of the individual.
The first step is usually to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the alcoholic so as to come up with a customized treatment plan. Everyone experiences addiction differently so recovery can take many different forms. Detox rids the body of alcohol, but it doesn’t cure addiction. Addiction is a mental health condition that needs to be fully addressed when detox is complete.
Rehab includes a variety of therapies aimed at identifying the root cause of the addiction and replacing alcohol with healthy, positive alternatives. Individuals learn how to identify their triggers and develop new coping mechanisms. If you’re addicted to alcohol, you need to understand that sobriety is a life-long journey and the urge to drink could return at any time. That’s why it’s so important that you don’t just stop drinking but you learn the skills to maintain your sobriety on an ongoing basis.
What is Alcohol Abuse / Alcohol Addiction?
Since alcohol is widely consumed, people often forget how dangerous it can be. Many people drink because they find alcohol lowers their inhibitions and reduces anxiety. Drinking wine, beer or even hard liquor in moderation generally doesn’t cause problems. However, some people experience negative effects when they use alcohol excessively and on a consistent basis. This is considered alcohol abuse. It can range from binge drinking to full-blown addiction.
The definition of binge drinking varies depending on whether the individual involved is a man or a woman. Men who drink five or more alcoholic beverages in a two-hour period are considered binge drinkers. However, it is considered binge drinking if a woman has four or more drinks in two hours. Binge drinkers who indulge infrequently may be able to stop the practice on their own. However, an individual who is addicted to alcohol may not be able to stop without professional help, no matter how much they want to. Prolonged binge drinking can turn into alcoholism or alcohol addiction.
Alcoholism is characterized by strong cravings for alcohol and an inability to stop drinking even when it causes negative effects. If you’re addicted to alcohol, you may regularly find yourself drinking more than you intended. You may also develop a tolerance to alcohol, meaning that you need to drink more and more to get the effect you once did. In addition, you may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking. People who are addicted to alcohol also let personal and professional responsibilities fall by the wayside as they spend more time drinking or trying to get alcohol.
It is not always easy to tell when someone is addicted to alcohol. Some people are high-functioning alcoholics which means they can keep their addiction from affecting their personal and professional lives. They may not realize that they have a problem until they’re facing severe consequences. This may be years after their addiction first started.
For other alcoholics, there are clear symptoms of alcohol abuse and addiction.
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