Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused substances in the country. It is often advertised on TV, on the radio, and even on billboards. The consumption of it is even encouraged by people, sometimes even the overindulgence of it is praised by peers. When consumed responsibly and in small quantities, it is relatively harmless and some medical professionals even say that it has a few health benefits. If alcohol is consumed in excess then any of those potential health benefits are thrown out the window. When someone consumes a large quantity of it and does so on a near regular basis they can find themselves in a dire situation. One can become physically and mentally addicted to alcohol the same way that one can become hooked on drugs. Once this occurs it will be very difficult to get sober without the help of alcohol detox in California.
Overcoming the withdrawals associated with alcohol abuse is far from easy. In fact, the symptoms can be more intense than the withdrawal from drugs like heroin and prescription painkillers. Anyone who is struggling should receive professional help. Attempting to detox oneself at home is very dangerous and extremely painful. When an at-home detox is attempted, one’s chances of successfully overcoming the symptoms are lowered substantially. Alcohol detoxes in California will administer medications to help minimalize the withdrawal pains while keeping the struggling individual safe. Here at Divine Detox, we understand what it takes to overcome the withdrawals and cravings that occur during alcohol detox. Our staff is made up of substance abuse and medical professionals who will help those struggling through this difficult time with medically supervised detox. Ensuring every client’s comfort and safety while at our alcohol detox center is our priority.
Different Levels of Alcohol Withdrawal
Anyone who is detoxing from alcohol will experience different withdrawal symptoms and varying levels of severity. Addiction and medical professionals recognize three main degrees of alcohol withdrawal; mild, moderate, and severe. The intensity of one’s symptoms will be determined by a few main factors.
- How long has that person been drinking alcohol in large quantities?
- How much is typically consumed on a daily/weekly basis?
- How old is the struggling individual?
- Mental health history
- How tall are they and how much do they weigh.
These are the primary deciding factors that dictate what level of care the struggling person will need and how long their detox will be. Someone in their early 20’s has been abusing alcohol for two months will have far less severe withdrawals when compared to a 50-year-old who has been drinking a liter of vodka a day for 25 years. No matter what level of withdrawals that individual is set to face, it is very important they receive help from an alcohol detox center. Mild withdrawals are still quite unpleasant to experience, trying to overcome them without medical assistance is not suggested and is rarely successful.
Alcohol withdrawals will typically begin around 12-24 hours after the user’s last drink, but they can start in as little as 6 hours for some. A moderate to heavy drinker can experience symptoms for about five to ten days, but this can vary from person to person. Someone who suffers from alcoholism will have a very drawn out detox process and can be in an alcohol detox for two weeks or more. No matter what degree of withdrawal, the user should seek out professional help from an alcohol detox in California.
The Different Stages of Alcohol Withdrawal
Most people who struggle with alcohol abuse disorder will feel the most intense withdrawals around from days two through five. Medical and substance abuse professionals classify alcohol withdrawal into three main stages. These stages are marked by the level of severity of the symptoms that are occurring. Anyone who is struggling with drinking and could benefit by entering an alcohol detox in California will experience:
- Abdominal pain
- Tremors
- Diarrhea
- Mild sweating
- Numbness and tingling in fingers and toes
- Nausea
- Vomiting
This is stage one, and it typically takes place for the first few days that one is without alcohol. For those that consume larger quantities of alcohol, this stage can also include hallucinations. The symptoms of alcoholic hallucinosis include touch-related, vision-related, and sound-related hallucinations. Heavy drinkers can also experience increased anxiety and paranoia which can lead to delusional thinking.
Stage two alcohol withdrawal symptoms will start to occur a few days after the struggling individual’s last drink. Not every problem drinker will go through stage two alcohol withdrawals. Around 70% of those who go through stage one will also go through stage two. One of the scariest parts of stage two withdrawals is that there is a risk of a seizure occurring. A full-body, grand mal seizure can occur which can lead to brain failure and heart failure, which can be fatal. Those who go through stage two will experience everything from stage one, plus:
- Increased heartbeat which leads to high blood pressure
- Restless legs
- Uncontrollable sweating
- Confusion
- Goosebumps
- Paranoia
- Insomnia
Approximately 35% of people who experience go through stage two will also go through stage three. This part of alcohol withdrawal is very intense and extremely dangerous to go through without the help of alcohol detox. This stage is noted by delirium tremens or DTs. Delirium tremens is very serious and potentially life-threatening. Common symptoms of delirium tremens include:
- Intense auditory, touch, and visual hallucinations which lead to extreme paranoia and a delirious mental state
- Memory loss
- Intense confusion
- Grand-mal seizure
- Involuntary nervous system instability
Finding an Alcohol Detox in California
If you or a loved one are currently struggling with alcohol abuse and would like to know more about Divine Detox’s approach to alcohol detox, contact our toll-free line today. Even if you are just in need of some advice or need someone to talk to, we are here to help. Calls are always free of charge and completely confidential.