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Detoxing From Alcohol — What to Expect and How to Make It Easier

If you are trying to quit drinking, congratulations! Although some who struggle with drinking are able to quit alone, others find it difficult. It also can be dangerous to quit on your own, depending on how much and how often you drink. By getting professional help, you can experience an easier recovery with better-managed detox symptoms. Read on to learn about detoxing from alcohol, what to expect, and how to make it easier to detox.

How Long Does Alcohol Detox Take?

The short answer is the more you drink, the longer it takes to detox from it. A person who drinks too much on one occasion might find that alcohol withdrawal lasts one to two days. If you suffer from addiction, physical alcohol withdrawal symptoms can last for several days and even several weeks. On an emotional level, unassisted recovery can take years. Though the physical effects of alcohol will eventually fade, the damage addiction does to relationships can last much longer. This is why it is just as important to treat the underlying causes of the addiction in the recovery process and to seek emotional support so you can work to prepare the relationships that alcohol has destroyed.

What Does Alcohol Withdrawal Feel Like?

Serious alcohol withdrawal has numerous physical and emotional symptoms. Physically, you may experience symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, and other digestive problems. You may also experience shakiness, difficulty thinking clearly, in addition to cravings to drink alcohol during your time of withdrawal. Insomnia and disturbed sleep are also common symptoms of withdrawal. These symptoms can last for days and can make it difficult for you to go through with detoxing. In the most intense cases, delirium tremens, seizures, and hallucinations may occur. These symptoms can be life-threatening, which is why you should never quit alcohol cold-turkey without help. Supervised detox can help keep the recovering individual safe during the process, and can keep you on track during your detox.

Why Does Alcohol Withdrawal Occur?

Alcohol is a powerful psychoactive substance. It can cause profound chemical changes in your brain, especially if you have abused it over a long period of time. As a central nervous system depressant, it can reprogram your brain to need alcohol in order to relax and feel good.  As dependence and addiction develop, the brain learns that it cannot function normally without the assistance of the substance being abused. When you stop drinking, your brain starts managing those functions again and gets overexcited. This is why alcohol withdrawal occurs in the first place. If you need help managing your withdrawal symptoms, The Ranch PA is here to help. Contact us if you need help managing withdrawal symptoms.

How Can Alcohol Withdrawal Be More Comfortable?

Professional detox and rehabilitation can reduce or eliminate detox symptoms. At The Ranch PA, you will receive around-the-clock detox medical care to ensure you are safe and comfortable. Professional rehab can also provide a long-term plan to address future cravings and deal with the depressive symptoms that sometimes occur after an active addiction ends. Although you can choose to go through your detox alone, that can be dangerous. Not only does unassisted withdrawal more often result in relapse, but it can also cause life-threatening symptoms. It is important to have lots of support during this time. In a supervised recovery facility, you will learn how to manage symptoms, cravings, and tools to repair the relationships that addiction has damaged. If you are drinking too much alcohol, and you have tried and failed to quit before, The Ranch PA may be able to help. Call us now at 717.969.9126 for help.

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