Our Michigan alcohol detox centers understand the signs of alcohol withdrawal. Our Doctors recently sat down and felt the need to educate the public on the signs of alcohol detox. Alcohol withdrawal is a challenging condition that occurs when an individual significantly reduces or stops the intake of alcohol after prolonged use. In 2023, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported that 28.9 million people were living with alcohol use disorder. It is a syndrome that affects individuals living with alcohol use disorder.
These individuals often experience symptoms like tremors and anxiety. Detoxing under monitored supervision helps to ensure a safe and comfortable detox process. Here, health professionals can offer support and care which can help to reduce the risk of severe complications.
Michigan Alcohol Detox Centers Explain Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
Wellness and Recovery Rehabilitation Michigan alcohol detox centers know alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be psychological and physical. It typically begins within 6 to 24 hours after the last alcohol intake. During this period, the individual will experience symptoms depending on the severity of the withdrawal.
Mild symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Sweating
- Headache
- Shakiness
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
Severe symptoms include:
- Agitation
- Hallucinations
- Fever
- Seizures
- Disorientation
- Confusion
Other common symptoms are:
- Irritability
- Nightmares
- Enlarged pupils
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Tremor
- Rapid heart rate
- Pallor
Michigan Alcohol Detox Centers Recommend a Medically Supervised Detox Because of the Dangers of Unmonitored Alcohol Withdrawal
Our Michigan alcohol detox centers have seen the dangers of an unsupervised alcohol detox. It is always recommended to have a medically supervised alcohol detox. Just because you’ve done an alcohol detox without complications does not mean that next time is will go without a serious life threatening problem. There are life threatening dangers that can quickly arise. Unmonitored alcohol withdrawal can lead to more severe complications like:
Vitamin Depletion
Withdrawal symptoms like diarrhea and loss of appetite can cause malnourishment and vitamin deletion. This is because the individual undergoing home detox tends to avoid eating healthy foods altogether. These individuals often experience thiamine, vitamin B6, and folate deficiency.
Thiamine deficiency can lead to a disorder known as Wernicke’s encephalopathy. This condition can lead to confusion, loss of coordination, and loss of control over eye movement. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine individuals experiencing alcohol use disorder should seek treatment as people react to detox in different ways.
Dehydration
Withdrawal symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and a fast heart rate can lead to a severe case of dehydration. Detoxing without supervision can be dangerous because it is difficult for people going through these symptoms to recognize when they are dehydrated. This can eventually lead to vital organ failure like kidney failure. But with a medically supervised detox process, the healthcare professional can monitor the individual’s health and make sure they stay hydrated.
Delirium Tremens
The most severe type of alcohol withdrawal is often associated with Delirium tremens (DT). These symptoms appear within 48 to 72 hours after the last drink. They include:
- Auditory hallucinations
- Delusions
- High blood pressure
- Fast respiration
Delirium tremens is a condition that can lead to death when not properly treated. It is commonly found in individuals who struggled with alcohol use disorder for ten years or more. DT is the last stage of alcohol withdrawal with a mortality rate of 5% to 15%.
How Common Is Alcohol Withdrawal?
Our Michigan alcohol detox centers staff knows that alcohol addiction is common. Alcohol use disorder is one of the most common substance use disorders in the United States. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse statistics, in 2020, 10.2% of Americans aged 12 years and above had alcohol use disorder. The NIH also reported in 2020 that over 15 million people struggle with an alcohol use disorder in the United States however, less than 10% receive treatment.
According to the World Health Organization, alcohol use disorder is responsible for 4.7% of the global burden of disease, and it also contributes to over 2 million deaths globally. Also, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 178,000 people die from the excessive use of alcohol yearly in the United States.
Causes of Alcohol Withdrawal
Alcohol has a depressive effect on the body. It contains ethanol, slowing down the nervous system and releasing dopamine and endorphins. These chemicals produce feelings of pleasure, stimulating the feeling to keep drinking.
Consistently consuming significant amounts of alcohol makes the body used to the effects of these chemicals. When you stop drinking after prolonged use, the nervous system struggles to adapt, and it becomes overactive, leading to withdrawal symptoms.
Role of Michigan Alcohol Detox Centers Monitored Detox
Wellness and Recovery Rehabilitation Michigan alcohol detox centers have the education and experience for a safe alcohol detox with the use of comfort medications. Alcohol detox can be unpleasant and life-threatening without medical supervision. In the detox process, alcohol is completely flushed from the body, which can lead to complications and symptoms hence the need for constant monitoring by a licensed medical team.
The team often consists of therapists and clinical staff who will tailor the treatment process according to the individual’s needs. This will ensure the individual receives a unique, safe, and supervised treatment plan according to their disorder history. Since withdrawal can be an isolating experience, these clinical staff can serve as a network of people providing practical and emotional support.
In a medically monitored detox process, the healthcare practitioners can collaborate with therapists to provide counseling services for the individual. Since the program occurs in a supervised treatment environment, it reduces the chances of relapse in a vulnerable period.
Why You Should Have A Medically Supervised Alcohol Detox by our Michigan Alcohol Detox Centers
The following are some of the reasons why you should go for a medically supervised alcohol detoxification.
Individuals May Need Medications
In some severe cases of withdrawal, medication becomes necessary to alleviate the symptoms and prevent complications. Healthcare professionals can monitor the individual to ensure they receive the right medications at the appropriate time. This is important where individuals with underlying health issues take other medications that may interact with the withdrawal medications. Some of these medications include:
Benzodiazepines
These are some of the most frequently used medications in treating withdrawal symptoms during detox. It is often used to treat insomnia, muscle spasms, and anxiety. Some common benzodiazepines used in alcohol withdrawal are oxazepam, diazepam, and lorazepam.
These medications often react adversely with opioids, antidepressants, and antacids. It is not advisable for use by individuals with severe liver disease and respiratory disorders.
Disulfiram
This is a medication often prescribed because it inhibits alcohol metabolism and aldehyde dehydrogenase. It causes the individual to have unpleasant symptoms like nausea and headache if they ingest alcohol. Disulfiram interacts adversely with other drugs like metronidazole, warfarin, and isoniazid.
Topiramate
Topiramate is an anticonvulsant medication that may prevent individuals who already stopped drinking from returning to alcohol use. It has pharmacologic properties and may react adversely with oral contraceptives and metformin hence it is not ideal for use by individuals with kidney stones.
Naltrexone
Naltrexone is an FDA-approved medication used to treat alcohol dependence. As an opioid antagonist, it reduces the effects of alcohol, leading to decreased cravings and intoxication. Naltrexone can interact negatively with opioid medications and antidepressants hence it is not recommended for individuals with severe liver issues.
Nalmefene
Nalmefene is an opioid antagonist that helps to reduce relapse in individuals with alcohol use disorder significantly. It is a selective modulator of opioid receptors and it reduces the dysphoria that comes with alcohol withdrawal. It also reacts adversely with antidepressants and opioid medications hence it is not recommended for patients with liver diseases.
Physical Illness Can Occur
Monitored alcohol withdrawal is important because it can result in physical illnesses like seizures, dehydration, and tremors. Healthcare providers can detect these illnesses early and apply the appropriate measures like IV fluids to alleviate them. They can also help detect and treat infections that may arise during the withdrawal process.
Mental Health Issues May Occur
An individual experiencing withdrawal symptoms may also develop mental health issues. This is because withdrawal also causes some psychological symptoms like psychosis. These symptoms can be challenging to manage without professional help hence the need for close monitoring.
With proper monitoring, health professionals can identify and address underlying mental health issues that may arise during the withdrawal process. They ensure the psychological symptoms do not escalate by providing counseling and support, which leads to long-term sobriety and prevents relapse.
Michigan Alcohol Detox Centers Answers, “How Long Does Alcohol Detox Typically Last?”
Wellness and Recovery Rehabilitation Michigan Alcohol Detox centers recommends a 7-10 day alcohol detox. Although detox often takes an average of one week, it takes longer for the body and mind to heal. There are several factors that determine the amount of time it takes to detox, and some of these factors include the following:
- Family history
- Age
- Gender
- Underlying mental health conditions
- Level of alcohol dependence
4 Stages of the Alcohol Detox Process
Although the process of alcohol detox depends on each person’s experiences, it can still be broken into the following stages:
First Stage
- Occurs 6 to 12 hours after the last drink
- Mild symptoms
- No medication required
Second Stage
- Occurs 12 to 24 hours after the last drink
- Alcoholic hallucinations
- Medication and therapy are vital
Third Stage
- Occurs 24 to 48 hours after the last drink
- Nearly all the alcohol is flushed out
- Relapse can occur at this stage
- The body experiences withdrawal seizures
Fourth Stage
- Occurs 48 to 72 hours after the last drink
- Symptoms subside
- The body begins to get accustomed to a lack of alcohol intake
- The medication stops or reduces
- Introduction of new forms of therapy
Wellness and Recovery Rehabilitation Drug Rehabs Michigan Outlines Treatment Programs for Alcohol Use Disorder
The type of treatment program most suitable for an individual with alcohol use disorder depends on some factors like co-occurring mental health conditions, level of physical alcohol dependence, and previous relapse attempts. The following are some of the best types of treatment for alcohol use disorder:
1. Inpatient Program – Inpatient Drug Rehabs Michigan
An inpatient program is one of the most common treatment programs for alcohol use disorder. Here the individual checks and stays at a facility during the treatment. These individuals will have access to help from health professionals 24/7. Treatments provided during this program are immersive as they take the individual away from distractions and focus only on healing.
The program also improves the individual’s overall quality of life by providing them with tools to help them maintain long-term sobriety. During this program, the individual builds a strong support network through group therapy and counseling.
2. Partial Hospitalization Program
Partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a cross between outpatient and inpatient treatment programs. It is also an intensive program but unlike inpatient programs, it allows the individual to go home every night.
This is the best treatment program for people whose home is stable and not far from the program. The frequency of the treatment program at PHP often varies as some programs run daily and last for 6 to 8 hours.
3. Intensive Outpatient Program – Michigan IOP Drug Rehabs
An intensive outpatient program is best for individuals who do not require 24/7 supervision but require more intensive treatment than a typical outpatient program offers. Compared to PHP, it requires fewer treatment hours, as the patients can live off-site and go about their daily lives. This treatment option provides an easy way for the individual to transition back into society after treatment.
4 Outpatient Program – Michigan Outpatient Addiction Treatment Programs
Here, the individual wants to get sober however, there are other responsibilities like school and work, which makes it impossible to go for residential treatment. Unlike other treatment programs, the individual does not stay overnight at the facility. It is the best treatment program for individuals with mild or moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
5. Aftercare Programs
Aftercare is a follow-up and continued treatment that follows immediately after a period of treatment program. It is a program that provides emotional assistance and other valuable strategies for managing alcohol stress and cravings.
Although treatment programs for alcohol use disorders can be effective, relapse is also common. This is because some individuals find it challenging to cope with stress healthily. However, with aftercare programs, the individual can reinforce skills learned in recovery to prevent relapse and maintain sobriety. The following are some aftercare programs that help to maintain positive and healthy habits:
6. Therapy and Counseling Sessions
Continued therapy and counseling sessions are crucial to aftercare programs. In these programs, the patient can have individualized therapy sessions with a licensed therapist to ensure personalized support and care.
7. Support Groups
Support groups are a part of aftercare treatment programs that encourage alcohol abstinence among individuals in recovery. It includes group meetings and social activities. The group acts like a community where groups of people with shared experiences help each other cope with recovery struggles.
These groups provide a safe and supportive environment where individuals share their strategies for managing their emotions and cravings. Some common types of these groups are professional support groups and 12-step program support groups.
Call Our Michigan Alcohol Detox Centers Now We Accept Some Insurances
Wellness and Recovery Rehabilitation Michigan Alcohol Detox centers can help you today. We accept most heath insurances. Our educated and experienced doctors provide comfort medication to drastically reduce painful withdrawal. Call us now at 855-734-2202.
People who drink heavily for a long time often develop alcohol dependence. Alcohol detox is the complete flushing of alcohol from the body. When these individuals stop or reduce their intake, they experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms may range from mild to severe depending on the severity of the alcohol use disorder hence the need to seek professional help.
A medically supervised alcohol detox program will provide you the right supervision, thereby reducing risks of complications. Prioritizing a monitored detox process will safeguard your physical and mental health which sets the foundation for a safe recovery. Call Wellness and Recovery Rehabilitation Michigan Alcohol Detox centers now at 855-734-2202.
