What Are Some Important Signs Your Body Is Detoxing From Alcohol After Your Last Drink?

While there are definitely instances in which people are able to safely detox from alcohol on their own, this process is sometimes a dangerous one. For people who have been heavily reliant upon alcohol for an extended period of time, it is not uncommon to experience delirium tremens. This condition is typical among chronic alcohol users and can include disorientation, hallucinations, severe tremors, and many other symptoms side effects. For these and other reasons, it is generally advisable for people to undergo the withdrawal process in a safe and monitored environment. With the assistance of trained medical professionals, it is possible to mitigate withdrawal symptoms for a more comfortable and much safer detoxification experience overall.

Even in more moderate cases of alcohol use people can suffer from a condition known as alcohol withdrawal syndrome. This is a series of symptoms that occur when the body is suddenly deprived of alcohol after a long period of relatively consistent use. The intensity of a person’s alcohol withdrawal syndrome is generally determined by his or her history of drinking and general health. Some of the most common signs that your body is detoxing from alcohol after your last drink include:

  • Nausea
  • Heart palpitations
  • Sweating
  • Headache
  • Vomiting
  • Insomnia

Some people additionally have vivid dreams and even nightmares after they stop drinking. While many of these symptoms are not life-threatening, for chronic drinkers, they can be precursors to far more severe withdrawal effects. With the potential for extremely elevated blood pressure, extreme disorientation, and seizures, delirium tremens can sometimes prove fatal if a person does not have access to prompt medical attention.

How Medically Supervised Detox Can Make The Withdrawal Process Easier

If you have a history of chronic alcohol use, undergoing withdrawal in a professional setting with a trained medical team can be key for ensuring both your comfort and your well-being throughout the detoxification process. Locations like these are staffed by professionals who are skilled in helping patients navigate this first and most challenging part of the recovery process safely, and without using excessive amounts of medication. In these facilities, medications are generally disbursed on an as-needed basis so that patients are never at risk of developing new forms of dependence.

There is also an important psychological component to the detoxification process and any related support supplied. Whenever patients choose to leave drug or alcohol abuse behind them, these individuals have to learn how to be uncomfortable again. After long periods of alcohol use, some chronic drinkers have become so comfortable muting their physical and emotional pain by drinking that they’ve forgotten how to healthfully deal with feelings of discomfort. In detox facilities, as clients near the end of the withdrawal process, they often have the benefit of group and individual therapy for relearning how to experience a fuller and far more complex range of emotions. Even as your body is ridding itself of the very substances that have been harming it, you will be discovering new ways of coping with situations, emotions, and events that once acted as triggers for your addiction.

What To Do If You’ve Been Struggling To Detox On Your Own

Choosing to quit alcohol “cold turkey” at home can be very risky. This is especially true if you are a long-term, chronic drinker and your body has become chemically dependent upon alcohol. Among some of the first signs that your body is starting to withdraw are sweating, stomach upset, a sense of overheating, dizziness, and anxiety. Given just how widespread and intense these early withdrawal symptoms can be, many people give up on their self-managed recovery efforts before they have the chance to experience some of the benefits of this important life change.

If you’ve been struggling to detox from alcohol on your own, you should know that countless others have faced this same battle and overcome it. The best way to limit the challenges of alcohol withdrawal and ensure your continued safety is by seeking professional help. Medically supervised detox facilities offer services and solutions that ensure patient comfort. They also prioritize the long-term well-being of their patients by limiting detox medications that may cause additional problems with addiction and dependency, and by providing numerous options in in-house therapy. More importantly, they offer a comprehensive range of support services for ensuring that the transition into the next phase of the recovery process is a smooth, seamless, and ultimately successful one. If you’re looking for the best place to start your journey to alcohol-free living, we can help. Get in touch with us today by calling 844-639-8371.

Scroll to Top