Part of the reason that drinking alcohol to excess is so dangerously seductive is because drinking it makes individuals feel good. Research done involving brain imaging has revealed to investigators how addiction works better. The good news is that this has lead to more optimal treatments for people who are abusing alcohol. In this article, we look at why this and other factors mean that withdrawal from alcohol in a rehab center is better and safer than trying to do it through only outpatient services or on your own.
How Alcohol Makes You Feel Better and Why This Needs In-Patient Detox
Investigators now understand how the brain’s reward center reacts to alcohol consumption. Drinking it creates a release of naturally occurring opioids that cause you to feel good. These natural opioids are called endorphins and are found in the two important brain sectors connected with processing rewards. When you partake of drinking to excess (or binge drinking), then your brain releases a greater amount of endorphins as a response to the alcohol.
This explains the higher feelings of intoxication for those drinking heavily than those who drink with measure. Another important discovery is that some individuals’ brains actually will release a higher quantity of opioids as a response to alcohol. This makes them more likely to drink to excess and fall into the dangerous trap of alcoholism.
The Withdrawal Symptoms from Alcohol Addiction Are Serious
The withdrawal symptoms of alcohol are especially pronounced for individuals who have been drinking a lot for a greater period and who then try to either reduce their alcohol consumption or stop altogether. Such symptoms are even noticeable in only two hours after the most recent drink. They are ongoing for several weeks and can threaten your very life.
This is why even if your particular symptoms appear to be mild, doctors recommend that you find medical assistance when withdrawing from alcohol addiction. It is a proven and well-known fact that the correct treatments for alcohol withdrawal will diminish the risks of undergoing severe withdrawal symptoms including DTs and seizures that can inadvertently lead to your death.
What Are the Severe Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal Like?
In a very general sense, how severe and serious feeling your own withdrawal symptoms from alcohol prove to be is directly related to the amount of time and level of alcoholism you have been a party to. Some of these severe withdrawal symptoms include the following unpleasant effects:
- Clammy hands and sweating
- Shaky hands and full body trembling
- Nausea and mild anxiety
- Severe headaches
- Vomiting
- Tactile, auditory, or visual hallucinations
- Insomnia
Alcohol Detox
When you get help in a rehab treatment center for your alcohol withdrawal, you will benefit from what is called alcohol detox. This is much more beneficial than simply quitting drinking by yourself cold turkey. It involves continuously monitored and medically supervised treatment with medications administered as necessary to address the medical conditions that result from your personal withdrawal experience. There are serious cases where an individual’s alcohol tolerance levels have become so very high that complete abstinence is not advisable for the serious problems it causes you.
This is why the medical staff in detox will often prescribe medications to help treat you while you are staying in the alcohol detox treatment center. In this time period, the doctors will be closely and carefully watching for any serious signs of alcohol withdrawal that could cause seizures and potentially even your untimely demise. You do not want to face this alone or even on an outpatient basis.
The ultimate goal in alcohol detox is to decrease the severity of your alcohol withdrawal symptoms straight away, to head off any potentially resulting complications, and to begin to introduce longer-term therapy to help you learn to practice alcohol abstinence. There are a variety of prescription medications including benzodiazepines that can assist you in the battle against these terrible withdrawal symptoms. Among the more commonly utilized medications are Librium, Valium, Serax, and Ativan.
Obtaining Help In Your Alcohol Withdrawal Struggles
No one should face this alone or without proper medical help. Treating the withdrawal from alcoholism does not effectively address the underlying addiction disease. Detox must be followed up with a solid plan of treatment for your dependence on alcohol. This can be done effectively in an outpatient setting if necessary. In a number of serious cases, intensive therapy is necessary to break free from dependence on alcohol.
If you wish to reclaim your life, do not try to do it alone. When you are ready to get started, simply contact us today at 844-639-8371. Our trained and compassionate staff are standing by 24 hours per day to help you.