If you are dealing with alcoholism, every day can feel like a struggle to stay sober. Have you decided it is time to go through detox and leave your addiction behind? We at Knoxville Recovery Center applaud your decision. However, we want to be open with you about what to expect during detox and the period afterward. Let’s take an honest look at alcoholism and the best ways to stay sober.
What Happens During Detox
When you begin the detox process, you will enter into a period of what is called alcohol withdrawal syndrome. You can expect symptoms to show up anywhere from 6 hours to a few days after your last drink.
Here are some commonly experienced symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome:
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Headache
- High Blood Pressure
- Tremors and Sweating
- Irritability and Confusion
- Insomnia and Nightmares
- High Blood Pressure
You may expect the symptoms to get worse over 2 to 3 days. If you are a very heavy drinker, you may even experience a condition known as delirium tremens. This condition is marked by extreme agitation and confusion, a fever, seizures, and hallucinations.
Is Detox All You Need to Quit Alcohol Forever?
Detoxing from alcohol is the necessary first step in leaving your addiction behind. It is a way to cleanse your body of all of the poison that you have been feeding it for so long. Your body goes into withdrawal because drinking excessively excites and irritates the nervous system. When you take away the alcohol, your central nervous system can no longer easily adapt to the lack of alcohol.
When detox has been completed, some people assume that the hard work is over, and they can just kick back and relax. Some think that they will no longer experience strong cravings for alcohol and that their alcoholism is behind them. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth.
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome or PAWS refers to withdrawal symptoms that show up for weeks or months after sobriety has been achieved. Marked by strong cravings to drink, other common symptoms may include anxiety, depression, insomnia and mood swings to name a few.
Many recovering alcoholics face a desire to drink years after they have been sober. Therefore, staying sober becomes a lifelong goal for those dealing with alcoholism.
Preventing Relapse
Since we have established that simply going through detox isn’t enough in completely overcoming alcoholism, it is time to talk about what steps you can take to prevent a relapse.
The first and most important thing you can do is to take good care of yourself. This means getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and being sure to implement physical exercise into your routine.
Next, consider the acronym HALT. Whenever you are feeling like you want to drink, ask yourself if you are Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired. These four states of being are triggers for most people.
Another important step to take is to join a support group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous. There are several ways that this can help you. You get mutual support from people going through exactly what you are, and you gain a sense of accountability for your actions.
Overcoming Alcoholism with the Help of Knoxville Recovery Center
We at Knoxville Recovery Center understand that overcoming alcoholism is a lifelong journey. That is why we vow to always be here for you when you need us the most. Whether you have already been through detox or you are just thinking about healing your alcoholism, we know how to help you through. Call us today so that we can talk with you and answer any questions you might have.
