If you or someone close to you consumes alcohol regularly, you might wonder whether or not alcohol is addictive and, if so, do you detox from alcohol. It is very easy to go from a social drinker to a habitual drinker to an addicted alcoholic, but thankfully you can get help with your alcohol detox in Dallas, TX.
Is Alcohol Addictive?
Alcohol is addictive. Like many substances, alcohol changes the reward system in your brain. Neurotransmitters in your brain send chemical messages back and forth depending on your activity. When you exercise, you get a rush of chemicals that cause a euphoric feeling. This sensation activates the reward centers in the brain, telling your brain and body that it is good to use drugs because it causes you to feel better. This is the cause of cravings and urges to use drugs, and the beginning of addiction disorders.
With alcohol, the more you drink, the more your brain releases positive neurotransmitters like dopamine. These happy chemicals are to reinforce good behavior like exercise or hard work. When you associate these good chemicals with things like alcohol consumption, your brain starts to rework what it considers to be good behaviors. Instead of parenting, sleeping right, socializing, or working hard, your brain prioritizes alcohol consumption because of the positive chemicals you get when you drink.
What are the Signs of Alcoholism?
There are many signs of alcoholism that might differ from one person to the next. Behavioral, psychological, and physical symptoms are quite common. You might notice that you or someone close to you has poor coordination, slurred speech, and trouble thinking or remembering. Once you reach the level of addiction, you may find you cannot cut back or stop drinking even if you want to. People struggling with alcoholism divert attention away from their responsibilities, work, family, or social life so that they can drink. They are usually secretive about how much they drink to continue doing so.
An individual struggling with alcoholism might regularly visit seven different bars. Still, they specifically go to each bar only one day per week so that other patrons assume they only drink one night each week.
Some people are in denial about their alcoholism. Others engage in risky behavior like regularly drinking while driving or drinking while drunk. People who are unable to drink might become incredibly distressed.
Understanding the signs of alcoholism might make you wonder: do you need to detox from alcohol?
Do You Detox From Alcohol?
Yes, alcohol detox happens. Alcohol, like any substance, can build up in your system the more you use it. If you abuse regularly, you don’t necessarily give your body time to do this, which means you might have a regular infusion of alcohol in your blood that hasn’t been filtered. In fact, if you regularly abuse alcohol, it might take a few hours for the alcohol in your blood to be adequately filtered and disposed of.
When you reach this point, you have to give your body time to completely rid itself of any residual compounds from your alcohol addiction, but detoxing off alcohol can be tricky and come with many dangerous withdrawal symptoms. When you detox from alcohol, you might experience symptoms that begin within the first two hours following your last drink and worsen for the next 12 hours. These withdrawal symptoms can last for up to two weeks and include things like:
- Sweating
- Vomiting
- Shaking
- Headaches
- High blood pressure
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Clammy skin
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Fever
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
- Disorientation
- Delirium
- Tremors
- Seizures
What are the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal?
Alcohol withdrawal can be quite severe. If you wonder, “do you detox from alcohol” the answer is a resounding yes. Detoxing off alcohol should be done with the help of a professional. The symptoms of alcohol detox can be life-threatening.
Alcohol depresses your central nervous system, slowing down your brain function. If you try to detox on your own, this can have a devastating impact, including seizures, high blood pressure, hallucinations, delirium, and tremors. Only with the professional team at Dallas Detox can you begin detoxing off alcohol in a safe fashion.
How to Find Alcohol Detox Programs in Dallas, TX
When you come to our Dallas facility for alcohol withdrawal, you are under constant supervision by our medical professionals. They can help you by preventing the life-threatening symptoms of your withdrawal, keeping you medicated as necessary, monitoring your vitals, and providing medications that ensure you are as comfortable as possible during the initial detox. Drugs like benzodiazepines or anticonvulsant medications can help mitigate the short-term symptoms of your alcohol withdrawal, notably body tremors, delirium, hallucinations, and seizures.
Every individual struggles differently, and detoxing has a varied impact on your brain and body. When you go through your alcohol detox facility, we can help you manage the unpleasant and, at times, dangerous symptoms until you have transitioned through your withdrawal and begin the rest of your recovery.
Let Dallas Detox help you with your alcohol recovery. Contact us today for addiction treatment in Texas.
