Direct advice from former alcoholics, including heavy drinkers who have successfully rehabilitated
Alcohol addiction can sometimes be a vague thing that happens to a lot of people. Most people start to show negligible symptoms, but they don’t know that they are gradually destroying their physiological and mental health.
Decades ago, because of the Hollywood portrayal of people with alcohol problems, especially complete alcoholics, society portrayed them as at least the disheveled looking jobless person. So, for a lot of people, if you don’t look like that, you are considered fine.
But this is not the scientific and medical standard.
To make matters worse, alcoholic beverages, especially the “finer” ones, are usually associated with celebration and success. If you see a well-dressed man bringing two bottles of wine from a store, you will most likely immediately think of a birthday., birthday or promotion.
Alcohol problems, while they can have a face and a look, also arise incognito. There are those who are addicted to high level alcohol.
The medical standard says that if you have more than two to four drinks a day, depending on your gender, you are either very sensitive to a drinking problem or you already have it.
If you drink more than the recommended amount, you are at some level of alcohol dependence.. And the fact that you’re here probably means you’re considering a change – if not for yourself, then for someone you love.
The first thing you need to know is that there is no single solution to alcohol problems. Some addictions come from happy habits and others take root in deep depression.
For this article, we interviewed people who have successfully detoxed from alcohol, including above average drinkers and heavy drinkers.
From what we’ve gathered, we’ll discuss everything you need to know when planning an alcohol detox.
What can you expect when you stop drinking?
Before going through the detoxification process, be aware that alcohol withdrawal has physical manifestations, and the level depends on the severity of the drinking problem.
However, for lesser issues, things will be pretty easy.
But as a general rule, remember that your alcohol consumption has regularly suppressed your central nervous system. And when your central nervous system is suppressed, your organs are “sedated,” but for your body to function, it has to struggle to work and get the job done.
When you cut out alcohol, the central nervous system, accustomed to alcohol, can continue to outperform as it usually does, ie “fight”.
In addition, your stomach, used to drinking alcohol, will suddenly have to adapt to the absence.
Essentially, all parts of your body affected by alcohol and used to alcohol will have some level of withdrawal reactions. For severe alcoholism, they will be worse.
Stopping alcohol consumption does indeed have painful and uncomfortable effects, especially if you have an above average alcohol dependence.. But these things are easy to fix and overcome and it’s always worth breaking the habit., with the appropriate help and assistance.
How To Detoxify Effectively From Alcohol Addiction
- Have medical assistance.
- Stay in a safe and stress free place.
- Take it day to day.
- Continue to have emotional and medical support.
Step 1: Get medical assistance.
Call a healthcare professional and talk about all of your alcohol history and status and be transparent about how you are feeling emotionally and, most importantly, physically.
Your emotional and physical state will determine how you can maintain withdrawal, and your level of alcohol dependence will help the doctor decide whether to advise you to do so in a drug rehab center or not.
Usually, you will be advised to detoxify yourself in a hospital or a specialized alcohol detoxification center near you.
In a specialized establishment, all you need is your willpower, and professionals will help you complete your detox.
Step # 2: Stay somewhere safe and stress free.
A safe and stress-free place means that you have someone, preferably a healthcare professional or a reliable friend or loved one, to fully support you. And you shouldn’t be near the emotional triggers that make you want to drink.
You can benefit from a professional service in a professional establishment, but also benefit from an outpatient service if you are detoxifying in private.
In an establishment, you will also benefit from supportive therapy and comprehensive follow-up.
Step # 3: Take it day to day.
With medical and psychological support, you will not have problems with withdrawal symptoms. You will be given appropriate medication if it is necessary to reduce aches and pains such as headaches or stomach aches and, if necessary, orders for sleep or calming to reduce panic and insomnia.
Remember that you may not need any medication at all. It depends on the severity of the problem.
What is important is that you take it one day at a time until your medical advisors advise you that you can return to your usual living situation.
Step 4: Continue to receive emotional and medical support.
The length and difficulty of alcohol detox vary from person to person. Some people will see alcohol leave their system in just two weeks.
But no matter how long it takes, it would be best to have emotional, psychological, and medical support throughout the process after the first few months of detox.
You can do this in private with the outpatient professional service support you need. And while stopping alcohol at home can be effective, the most sustainable way is to go to a drug rehab center where you can effectively treat the symptoms.
You can do it!
If you are looking to eradicate alcohol addiction from your life, this is one of the best decisions you will ever make. Any side effect of stopping alcohol consumption is worth the promise of a better future.
But you don’t have to go through the worst without help.
You can reduce your risks effectively even if you come from a very bad case of alcoholism.
Interesting related article: “The biology and psychology of the development of alcohol dependence”