Alcohol may seem more benign than prescription or illicit drugs. Unfortunately, despite being legal, alcohol is addictive. For many, one of the first signs of alcohol addiction is withdrawal. Also called post-acute withdrawal syndrome, alcohol withdrawal can be serious and life-threatening. A drug and alcohol detox center is the safest and most effective way to decrease withdrawal symptoms and prevent health complications.
If you or your loved ones are detoxing from alcohol at home, call Athens Recovery today. Our comprehensive alcohol detox programs provide effective outpatient care for those in Athens and beyond. Call us today at 844.959.4998 to learn more about alcohol detox at Athens Addiction Recovery Center.
What Is Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome?
Post-acute withdrawal syndrome happens when the body becomes dependent on alcohol. For some people, this can happen quickly. Others may develop drinking habits over several months or years. Because alcohol is legal, it can be hard to tell when social drinking or habitual drinking becomes an addiction. Alcohol cravings and withdrawal are often the first sign of addiction.
Like other substances, alcohol slows communication pathways from the brain to the body and releases certain chemicals. This is why people stutter and have slow reflexes when drunk. The brain and body can become dependent on these chemicals with prolonged, frequent drinking. Over time, the brain will rely on alcohol for these chemicals. This means, when alcohol leaves the bloodstream, the body goes into withdrawal and wants more alcohol. Withdrawal is the body’s natural response to alcohol dependency.
Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
Withdrawal experiences are unique for everyone. The more often someone drinks, the more severe their symptoms may be. Symptoms of post-acute withdrawal syndrome include:
- Dehydration
- Tremors
- Headaches
- Anger
- Erratic behavior
- Sleeplessness
- Heart palpitations
- High blood pressure
- Nausea or vomiting
- Anxiety
- Emotional distress
- Alcohol cravings
- Reckless behavior
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
These symptoms can be painful and dangerous. During withdrawal, someone may suffer serious side effects and become incapacitated. Often, during withdrawal, someone cannot seek medical help on their own. Another serious condition, delirium tremens (DTs), can develop during withdrawal. DTs causes someone to go in and out of consciousness for several days. DTs can be fatal or result in long-term hospitalization.
Prevent Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms with Alcohol Detox
Alcohol detox through an addiction rehab program is the safest way to avoid dangerous withdrawal symptoms. More often than not, detoxing at home can lead to a return to use, overdose, other drug use, and health complications. If you or someone in your family is struggling with alcohol, Athens Addiction Recovery Center can help. We specialize in outpatient programs that provide the same level of care as residential detox programs. Our clients range from students and families to working professionals prioritizing sobriety. Our drug and alcohol detox center is here to help you and your loved ones safely detox from alcohol and other substances. We provide a balance between comprehensive therapy and medically assisted detox.
Today, studies show many people living with addiction have co-occurring mood disorders. Often, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and bipolar disorder go undiagnosed. For many people, this can lead to self-medicating with alcohol. At Athens Recovery, we put dual diagnosis and treatment at the forefront of our addiction recovery programs. Therapies at Athens Recovery include:
- Group therapy
- Behavioral therapies
- Meditation therapy
- Experiential therapy
- Family therapy
Trauma-informed therapy - EMDR
- Dual diagnosis treatment
Located near the University of Georgia, our partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs are ready to help the Athens community thrive.
Begin Alcohol Detox Today at Athens Addiction Recovery Center
Don’t detox from alcohol at home. Call Athens Addiction Recovery Center today to get started with our alcohol detox programs. Reach us now at 844.959.4998 to get started.
