If you’re finding yourself dealing with a potential addition to alcohol, you’re not alone. In fact, statistics show that 13.8 million adults throughout America have problems with drinking. Out of these same individuals, 8.1 million suffer from a condition known as alcoholism. You might feel that not knowing what to expect is stopping you from seeking treatment. Fortunately, alcohol detox centers are able to help many people overcome their addictions. In this post, you’ll learn what to expect after checking into an alcohol detox center.
Entering an Alcohol Detox Center
Before actual treatment begins, detox doctors need to learn more about you. Therefore, you can expect to be asked a series of questions about yourself and the state of your relationship with alcohol. While this might seem probing, these interviews are conducted in order to utilize the best treatment options for your situation.
Beginning the Detox Process
The next step is to remove any traces of alcohol from your body, otherwise known as detoxing. It’s perfectly understandable to be fearful of the detox process. In most cases, this process sounds a lot worse than it actually is. In fact, statistics show that only 10-20% of those with alcoholism have withdrawal symptoms severe enough to warrant monitoring or medication.
Many who enter these programs wonder how long it takes for alcohol to completely leave the body. That being said, this timeline is largely dependent on how long you’ve been drinking. If you’ve recently developed this condition, the detox process is usually quite brief. However, this process might take longer for those who have consumed alcohol throughout most of their lives.
During the detox process, you’re likely to experience withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol tends to have an effect on both the mind and body. Considering that, it’s common for people to experience both the physical and mental side effects of alcohol withdrawal. Physical side effects commonly include headaches, sweating, being shaky. Those with more severe cases of alcoholism might also experience a fever and seizures.
As mentioned earlier, you might also expect psychological side effects while withdrawing from alcohol. These side effects commonly include bouts of depression, trouble sleeping, and mood swings. In severe cases, certain individuals can suffer from brief hallucinations while withdrawing from alcohol.
Receiving Helpful Therapy
Many people suffering from alcoholism feel that it’s impossible to cure this condition. Fortunately, this isn’t true. In many cases, there are underlying causes or reasons that drive someone to excessively consume alcohol. Therefore, a critical component of entering into an alcohol detox facility is receiving therapy.
A Life Free from the Grips of Alcoholism
After enough time has passed, detox doctors will begin preparing you to enter the world again. During this time, you’ll be offered plenty of support and education. In turn, this helps many people return to a normal life without the temptation of wanting another alcoholic beverage. Detox doctors help design plans for their patients, customized to their unique situations.
In closing, it’s understandable to wonder what to expect after entering an alcohol detox center. For many people, completing treatment is much easier and beneficial than you might assume. Statistics show that those addicted to alcohol typically receive treatment 8 years after they first developed alcoholism. If you’re suffering from alcoholism, there’s no reason to wait years for treatment. Consider contacting an alcohol detox center in order to receive the care you need.