Alcoholism is a chronic disease that can affect a person’s health, relationships, and finances. Because drinking is often seen as a way to relax or as an essential aspect of partying, it’s easy to ignore the early signs of alcohol addiction. Many individuals turn to substance abuse to cope with mental illness, trauma, grief, and other difficulties. When the person’s mind and body become more accustomed to excessive amounts of alcohol, it’s referred to as dependence. As their drinking habits become more severe, their risk of addiction increases. Our Clearbrook Massachusetts rehab offers comprehensive inpatient alcohol detox services to support those seeking a safe and long-term recovery from alcoholism.
How Long Does It Take to Become Dependent on Alcohol?
Alcohol dependence, also referred to as alcoholism or alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a complex condition that develops over time. The progression from occasional drinking to dependence involves various factors, including biological, psychological, and social influences.
Below are the stages of alcohol dependence and how it develops:
- Initial consumption: Alcohol dependence usually begins with social or recreational drinking. Initially, alcohol may provide pleasurable effects, relaxation, and stress relief.
- Regular use: When drinking becomes a regular and frequent occurrence, it can result in can the development of tolerance – where the body adapts to the alcohol’s effects, requiring more to achieve the same effects.
- Physical and psychological dependence: As tolerance grows, physical and psychological dependence may develop. You know a person is physically dependent on alcohol when they experience withdrawal symptoms when they attempt to reduce or stop drinking.
- Loss of control: Individuals with alcohol dependence usually struggle to control their drinking. Any efforts to cut back or quit may be unsuccessful due to cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- Neglecting responsibilities: As alcohol dependence worsens, individuals may prioritize drinking over responsibilities at work, school, or home, leading to interpersonal, legal, or financial problems.
- Isolation: People dependent on alcohol may also isolate themselves from friends and family who don’t support their drinking habits.
- Health effects: Prolonged alcohol dependence can lead to serious health issues, including liver disease, cardiovascular problems, cognitive impairment, and mental health disorders.
How Long Does It Take to Detox From Alcohol?
Alcohol detoxification is usually the first step in the journey toward alcoholism recovery, acting as a pivotal precursor to residential treatment. Alcohol detox aims to methodically reduce alcohol consumption following a schedule set by a medical team, a process otherwise referred to as tapering. While some individuals opt for unsupervised at-home detox or abrupt cessation, these methods pose risks and necessitate professional guidance.
Most, if not all, individuals who detox from alcohol experience withdrawal symptoms like:
- Excessive sweating
- Body shakes
- Body aches and pains
- Confusion
- Agitation
- Disorientation and confusion
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- Cravings for alcohol
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Alcohol withdrawal insomnia
In severe cases, individuals undergoing the stages of alcohol detox might encounter seizures. These symptoms can rapidly worsen without prompt medical intervention.
Additionally, the duration of alcohol detox programs varies depending on individual factors such as the level of alcohol dependence, overall health, and medical history. Generally, alcohol detox can last anywhere from a few days to around a week.
However, some symptoms, like cravings and mood changes, may persist for longer periods. For this reason, it’s recommended that individuals with alcoholism research alcohol detox centers like ours that provide medical supervision to ensure safety and receive appropriate care throughout the process.
The safest way to detox from alcohol is under the guidance of medical professionals. Clearbrook Treatment Centers Massachusetts provides a medically supervised alcohol detox, ensuring secure and effective alcohol withdrawal.
Finding Inpatient Alcohol Detox Near Me
At our drug and alcohol rehab center in Massachusetts, we understand that the first step in any addiction treatment plan is crucial to achieving long-term sobriety. Each of our treatment services is structured but also adaptable to the patient’s needs.
Take the first step toward recovery today. Our comprehensive inpatient alcohol detox is essential in breaking the addiction cycle and regaining control over your health and life. Contact Clearbrook Treatment Centers today for more information about our Massachusetts inpatient drug rehab.
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