Alcohol Detox Addiction Programs

What is Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in the U.S., with 17.6 million people, or 1 in 12 adults, suffering from alcohol abuse or dependence. This figure does not include the millions who engage in harmful binge drinking patterns each year.

Alcoholism is influenced by various underlying factors, including genetics, personal trauma, and social surroundings, and does not result from a single cause. Dependence on alcohol develops gradually through a complex process involving numerous neurobiological and environmental factors. Positive reinforcement, such as the euphoria induced by alcohol, drives continued consumption despite harmful consequences. Over time, the body and brain become accustomed to alcohol, requiring it more frequently to function properly.

As with any addiction, individuals do not set out to become addicted to alcohol. Drinking often begins in social settings, such as during college or after-work gatherings with colleagues. Eventually, this drinking can transition from recreational to habitual, leading to a downward spiral. This does not make the individual a bad person; it simply means they have an illness and need professional help to overcome their addiction.

What is Alcohol Dependence?

Alcohol dependence occurs when an individual struggles to enjoy life or relax without consuming alcohol. Those who are dependent on alcohol often worry about where their next drink will come from and feel a compulsive need to drink, finding it difficult to stop once they start. Alcohol can interfere with neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to feelings of anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. Heavy drinkers tend to increase their alcohol intake over time due to developing a tolerance. Tolerance is a physiological response seen with most drugs, requiring more of the substance to achieve the same effect. Like many other substances, alcohol can be both physically and psychologically addictive.

Is Alcoholism Different from Binge Drinking?

Some people who struggle with drinking may think that they’re not problematic because they don’t match the standard description of an alcoholic. Binge drinking is excessive drinking that the CDC defines as 4 or more drinks for women and 5 or more drinks for men in a single sitting. This translates to about 8 or more drinks per week for women and 15 or more drinks weekly for men.

Alcoholism and binge drinking are different conditions of the same disorder – alcohol use disorder. Anytime alcohol is consumed in excess, there is a higher risk of health problems. But even if a person is not a full-blown alcoholic, binge drinking or any subset of alcohol use disorder can be dangerous. Even moderate drinking over prolonged periods of time can be dangerous for a person.

Do I Need Alcohol Detox?

You may think that you don’t need alcohol detox because you’re not what you imagine an alcoholic to be. But even if you’re not what you picture as an alcoholic, alcohol is a danger in your life and the safest option is to choose a professional alcohol detox center like Banyan Treatment Center. Detoxing from alcohol without medical support can be dangerous. Our inpatient rehab and medically monitored detox program provide the necessary support for a safe alcohol detox.

What is Alcohol Withdrawal Like?

Withdrawal from alcohol can begin as early as two hours after the last drink, can persist for weeks, and range from mild anxiety and shakiness to severe complications. Seizures and delirium tremens (also known as DTs, which are characterized by confusion, rapid heartbeat, and fever) are considered more severe complications from alcohol withdrawal. Death can happen during alcohol withdrawal, and this is one of the most important reasons why at Banyan we believe in medically supervised care during this trying time. The death rate from detox is estimated to range from 1-5% of cases.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms within 6-12 hours of last consumption:

• Shaky hands
• Vomiting
• Mild anxiety
• Sweating
• Headaches
• Insomnia or sleep problems
• Mood Swings
• Cravings

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms between 12-24 hours after they stop drinking:

• Visual, auditory, or tactile hallucinations-these usually end within 48 hours

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms between 24-48 hours after:

• Disorientation, confusion, and severe anxiety
• DTs (delirium tremens)
• Hallucinations (primarily visual) which cannot be distinguished from reality
• Profuse sweating
• Seizures
• High blood pressure
• Racing and irregular heartbeat
• Severe tremors
• Low-grade fever
• These usually peak at around 5 days

How to Detox from Alcohol Safely

Due to alcohol’s effects on the brain, the persistent need to drink and the tolerance they develop make quitting very difficult. Long-term, heavy drinking severely impacts the body, particularly affecting the levels of the neurotransmitter GABA. GABA is an inhibitory chemical messenger that, when elevated, causes sedation and relaxation. While the brain typically regulates this chemical naturally, chronic alcohol consumption disrupts this process, keeping the central nervous system sedated. Consequently, when a person physically dependent on alcohol tries to quit or goes without a drink, they experience withdrawal symptoms as their body transitions from sedation to sudden excitability.

Fortunately, our alcohol detox program can help. Alcohol detoxification is often the first step for many individuals seeking professional help for alcoholism at our recovery center. Attempting to quit drinking cold turkey or trying an at-home detox can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, potentially requiring emergency medical attention. Our program allows the body to gradually wean off alcohol, enabling a smoother transition into sobriety. This process provides a clean slate, allowing patients to move forward with their alcohol addiction treatment more effectively.

Military & Veterans Alcohol Detox Program

Alcoholism is a significant issue within the veteran and military community, with studies indicating a higher prevalence of alcohol abuse and addiction compared to the general population. The unique stressors associated with military service, such as combat exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), contribute to this problem, often leading service members to use alcohol as a form of self-medication. Additionally, military culture, with its social norms surrounding alcohol use, can encourage heavy drinking as a coping mechanism for deployment stress. The consequences of alcoholism among veterans and active-duty personnel are severe, including relationship and financial issues and heightened risks of mental health problems like depression and suicide. To address this, Banyan offers various veterans addiction treatment centers nationwide that provide medical detox for alcohol.