Alcohol is a huge part of American society. Whether you are at a sports game, a birthday party, or a work event, alcohol will likely be present. While some people can have occasional drinks with no problem, others have a hard time controlling how much alcohol they consume.
When someone cannot control how much they drink, they could be struggling with an alcohol use disorder. Alcoholism is a chronic and progressive condition that requires long-term maintenance and support to make a full recovery. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 29.5 million people struggled with alcohol use disorder in 2021.[1]
When you are addicted to alcohol, your brain and body rely on the substance to function properly. As a result, suddenly stopping the use of alcohol will cause withdrawal symptoms. Unfortunately, without medical treatment, alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening.
The safest way to detox from alcohol is to seek professional help. During an alcohol detox program in San Antonio, you can receive a wide range of services like an initial assessment, 24/7 monitoring and support, medications to soothe withdrawal symptoms, and long-term treatment planning.
What are the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal?
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can become so severe that they might be life-threatening without proper medical attention. However, medical detox programs in San Antonio can prescribe medications to limit those symptoms and keep you safe.
The common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:[2]
- Anxiety and nervousness
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Jumpiness
- Shaking or tremors
- Mood swings
- Sleep disturbances
- An inability to think clearly
- Sweaty and clammy skin
- Dilated pupils
- Headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rapid heart rate
- Delirium tremens (DTs), which may include seizures, hallucinations, delusions, and fever
Without appropriate treatment, DTs have a mortality rate of up to 37%.[3] Alcohol withdrawal can shift from mild to severe quickly and unexpectedly, so it’s never safe to detox by yourself.
How is Alcohol Withdrawal Treated in a San Antonio Detox Center?
Alcohol detox programs in San Antonio use clinically proven services to ensure the safety and comfort of each client.
Detox typically begins with an initial assessment to create an individualized treatment plan, followed by the use of medications and treatments to control withdrawal symptoms and keep you medically stable.
Assessment
Upon arrival at an alcohol detox program, you will begin an initial assessment. These assessments gather information about your physical and mental health as well as your history of alcohol abuse. This information is then used to create an individualized treatment plan that ensures all of your unique needs are met during your detox program.
24/7 Monitoring and Support
While detoxing you will be monitored on a 24/7 basis, ensuring that any symptoms that arise are promptly addressed. Additionally, nurses will check your vital signs regularly to make sure that you remain medically stable.
Even further, you will have constant access to psychological support from a professional mental health expert. This is highly beneficial as alcohol withdrawal can cause feelings of anxiety, depression, and even insomnia.
Medications
In addition to 24/7 monitoring, your doctor will prescribe you medications that limit your withdrawal symptoms. Typically, benzodiazepines are used as they target the receptors in your brain that are going haywire in the absence of alcohol. Additionally, benzodiazepines will prevent you from experiencing the symptoms of delirium tremens such as seizures.
Treatment Planning
Lastly, alcohol detox centers in San Antonio will help you create a treatment plan that covers your next steps in recovery. Detox is only the first step in achieving long-term sobriety. Many people transition into either an inpatient treatment center, outpatient rehab program, or a combination of both.
By attending additional treatment, you will learn how to identify and manage triggers for alcohol abuse, regulate your emotions healthily, and recover from past traumas that may have contributed to the development of your alcohol use disorder.
Get Connected to a Top-Rated Alcohol Detox Center in San Antonio
Alcohol withdrawal can be painful, scary, and even life-threatening without medical assistance, but alcohol detox programs in San Antonio offer a wide range of treatment services to ensure that each client stays safe and comfortable throughout the withdrawal process.
At Alamo Behavioral Health, our clinically proven detox services can help you overcome the physical aspects of alcohol use disorder. We offer a continuum of care that allows you to transition into residential treatment after you complete detox.
To learn more about our alcohol detox and treatment program in San Antonio, contact Alamo Behavioral Health today.
References:
- The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the United States, Retrieved December 2023 From https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics/alcohol-facts-and-statistics/alcohol-use-disorder-aud-united-states-age-groups-and-demographic-characteristics
- Medline Plus: Alcohol withdrawal, Retrieved December 2023 From https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000764.htm
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Delirium Tremens, Retrieved December 2023 From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482134/
