Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment in Irvington, NJ

Alcohol withdrawal treatment in Irvington provides a safe environment to begin the recovery process from alcohol abuse or addiction. Yet, despite the availability of professional help and treatment, many people avoid entering alcohol withdrawal treatment centers to get the help they need to stay sober over the long term.

There are many reasons why a person struggling with an alcohol abuse disorder may believe rehab treatment isn't necessary for them. Some are in denial about the severity of their problem, believing they have their alcohol consumption under control and they don't need treatment. Others believe they can simply quit drinking at home on their own and somehow be instantly cured of their addiction.

What many people underestimate is how severe some of the symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal can be. Trying to quit drinking at home without professional treatment can increase the risk of ‘falling off the wagon', or relapsing back into a pattern of alcohol abuse. Our detox center in Irvington can help to ease withdrawal symptoms while keeping the patient both safe and comfortable throughout the whole process.

It's also important to note that some of the withdrawal symptoms of stopping alcohol consumption suddenly can be potentially life-threatening and may require emergency medical assistance.

The key to ensuring the detox process is as safe as possible is to seek professional alcohol withdrawal treatment in Irvington. Addiction specialists in alcohol withdrawal treatment centers can provide monitoring and supervision throughout the detox process.

However, detox is only the first step in comprehensive alcohol withdrawal treatment programs. The withdrawal process breaks the body's physical dependency on the substance, but specific behavioral therapies are required to address the underlying psychological triggers behind self-destructive drinking behaviors.

What is Alcohol Withdrawal?

Alcohol withdrawal is the term for symptoms that occur when a heavy drinker tries to stop alcohol consumption suddenly. When a person drinks heavily over a prolonged period of time, the brain begins to adapt to the presence of alcohol in the system.

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, so the brain is forced to produce certain neurotransmitters in an effort to counteract the sedative effects of the substance. The result for heavy drinkers is developing tolerance, so the person may need to drink more in order to achieve the same effects that used to be reached with much lower volumes.

Eventually the brain becomes unable to adapt to the lack of alcohol in the system and enters into a hyper-excitable state that causes unpleasant and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms. At this point, the drinker is considered physically dependent on alcohol.

A person with alcohol dependency may experience severe withdrawal symptoms if intake stops, so it's common for many drinkers to continue the cycle of abuse in order to avoid any symptoms emerging.

Dangers of Alcohol Withdrawal

It's common for many people to assume that a person struggling with alcoholism should just exert a bit of willpower to stop drinking and they'll somehow be miraculously cured. However, if the brain has adapted to the constant presence of alcohol, the drinker may experience withdrawal symptoms.

Reports released by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) (1) indicated that the mortality rate in people who display symptoms of Delirium Tremens (DTs) during alcohol withdrawal is up to 25%. The same report also indicates that more than 5% of people in acute alcohol withdrawal may experience seizures.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Common symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal include:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Tremors and shaking
  • Fever
  • Heavy sweating
  • Increased heartrate
  • Elevated blood pressure
  • Insomnia and sleep disturbances
  • Alcohol-induced hallucinations
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Seizures
  • Delirium Tremens (DTs)

Why Seek Treatment at an Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment Center?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classify heavy drinking as more than eight standard drinks per week for women and more than 15 standard drinks per week for men. Anyone who has ever unsuccessfully tried to reduce alcohol intake on their own should seek help in specific alcohol withdrawal treatment programs.

Alcohol withdrawal treatment in Irvington includes monitoring and supervision during the detox process. In the early stages of recovery, supervision in specialized alcohol withdrawal treatment centers provides a level of safety for the patient. Medical staff can administer prescription medications that can reduce the severity of some withdrawal symptoms.

Alcohol withdrawal treatment programs also integrate a range of counseling and therapy sessions designed to address the psychological triggers behind addictive substance abuse. Therapy works to identify each person's unique triggers and then formulate a strong relapse prevention strategy to reduce the risk of the person returning to a pattern of heavy drinking after leaving rehab.

If you or your loved one is suffering from alcohol addiction and needs an alcohol withdrawal treatment in Irvington, call us today at (877) 804-1531.

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