Alcohol Detox Center Dallas: How Do You Get Started?
10 Signs You Should Consider Alcohol Detox
Continued alcohol abuse can lead to physical dependency which can cause several negative health effects when attempting to quit drinking, referred to as alcohol withdrawal. Sometimes, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous and even life-threatening, such as the risk of seizures. Alcohol detox centers for Dallas residents will provide 24/7 medical supervision and FDA-approved medications to help you go through the withdrawal process easily and safely. Even if you are not at risk for developing life-threatening withdrawals, an alcohol detox center is still the best way to start your journey to recovery from alcohol addiction. Those who attempt to stop drinking on their own often relapse due to severe alcohol withdrawals and cravings. A medical detox center near Dallas will include a controlled environment away from temptations and influences and also medications that ease cravings and withdrawals.
Alcoholism can look different in each person, and it is common to feel denial about your drinking problem. Dangerous alcohol withdrawals, including delirium tremens, are more likely to happen in those with long-term or severe alcohol addiction; there is no sure way to predict who will develop these symptoms. Anyone attempting to stop drinking after developing alcohol dependence issues should consider entering an alcohol detox program. Signs you may need an alcohol detox center in Dallas include:
1. Building tolerance, having to drink more to feel the same effects
2. Alcohol cravings
3. Others have expressed concern about your drinking
4. Multiple blackouts due to alcohol
5. Unable to control how much you drink
6. Tremors when not drinking
7. Feeling physically unwell without alcohol
8. Inability to start the day without drinking
9. Experiencing heart palpitations, nausea, restlessness, or perspiration when not drinking
10. Missing work, school, or responsibilities because of drinking
How to Get Into an Alcohol Detox Center
If you are ready to get help for your alcohol use disorder, you have taken a very difficult step in the right direction. Alcohol withdrawal can be scary, but a detox program can help manage symptoms and provide you with much comfort. Finding the right alcohol detox center is key to a strong foundation in recovery. The best treatment centers will offer evidence-based addiction treatment, medication-assisted treatment, qualified and licensed medical care professionals, and personalized treatment plans. You also need to consider your needs, whether you want to detox close to home or go to the detox center farther away which can offer you more privacy.
Once you have found the right treatment program, the first step is calling. An intake specialist will gather your medical and addiction history information to determine your treatment program needs. They will then walk you through the admissions process and discuss payment details. Intake specialists can also help you with other logistics of getting into the detox center such as travel arrangements.
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Will Insurance Cover Alcohol Detox in Dallas?
Alcohol detox coverage will depend on your insurance plan. Many insurance plans do cover mental health treatment which includes substance abuse treatment. Depending on your plan, some or all of your alcohol detox costs may be covered, including medications. You can verify your coverage with your insurance provider. They can also give you a list of addiction treatment centers that are in network with them.
Alcohol Detox and Withdrawal Timeline: What to Expect
When your body becomes physically dependent on alcohol, the brain does not know how to function without it and will experience withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop drinking. Drinking alcohol produces the calming neurotransmitter GABA and your body will eventually produce less of it while making more of the chemicals that keep you awake with repeated alcohol abuse. When you stop drinking, it takes the brain a while to catch up with the chemical imbalance, but in the meanwhile, you feel withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawals from alcohol can range from mild to severe depending on how long and how much you drink. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Tremors
- Loss of appetite
- Dilated pupils
- Jumpiness
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Nightmares
- Digestive issues including diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
Alcohol abuse is one of the few substances that can cause severe and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms when detoxing, referred to as delirium tremens (DT). Symptoms of DT include:
- Fever
- Severe sweating
- Fast breathing
- Mental confusion
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
The alcohol withdrawal timeline will look different for each person, but the process usually takes between 5 to 10 days. The general timeline for different stages may go as follows:
- 4 to 12 hours after the last drink: mild symptoms such as headache, tremors, depression, and anxiety begin.
- 12 to 24 hours after last drink: worsening of symptoms in addition to new symptoms such as dehydration and hallucinations.
- 24 to 48 hours after the last drink: symptoms are at their worst and most dangerous. The person may experience grand mal seizures and delirium tremens, which require immediate emergency medical care. After this period, symptoms should begin to subside.
- 48 hours to 7 days after the last drink: physical symptoms have greatly improved. Psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, restlessness, confusion, and anger will continue.
How Long Is Alcohol Detox?
Alcohol detox will vary in length depending on several factors including how long you have been drinking, how heavily you have been drinking, and your overall health. Medical detox will continue as long as you continue having acute withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, people may experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) which causes mild, lingering withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and depression for weeks or months after alcohol detox. PAWS can be managed with medication-assisted treatment, psychotherapy, and holistic treatments.
What Happens After Alcohol Detox?
Alcohol detox is rarely sufficient to achieve long-term sobriety. However, it is a great foundation for alcohol rehab. Alcohol addiction treatment involves identifying and treating underlying causes of substance abuse. Drug and alcohol rehab involves a variety of addiction treatment approaches including behavioral therapy, medication-assisted treatment, group programming, and holistic treatments.
Several addiction treatment programs exist including inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization program (PHP), intensive outpatient program (IOP), and outpatient treatment. Alcohol use disorder requires a lifetime of management. Alcohol rehab programs will teach you skills and tools to effectively cope with substance use disorders, but it is up to you to implement them and participate in aftercare or alumni programs that will keep you accountable.
Top Alcohol Detox Center for Dallas Residents
Dallas residents have found effective, evidence-based alcohol detox programs at Novo Detox. Our luxury addiction treatment center focuses on helping clients through alcohol withdrawal with FDA-approved medications and holistic therapies. We customize medical detox programs based on your Bio-Genetic metabolic profile, which helps us determine which medications are best for your unique case based on whether you are a rapid, normal, or poor metabolizer.
After alcohol detox, you can seamlessly transition into inpatient alcohol rehab at our rehab center. Treatment plans are personalized with various evidence-based addiction treatments and holistic therapies to help uncover and heal the underlying causes of your addiction. Our dual diagnosis program can help manage the long-term psychological effects of alcohol addiction including anxiety and depression.
If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol abuse, please call us at (844) 834-1777 today. Our addiction specialists are ready to answer any questions or get you started on the admissions process.
