Drinking too much alcohol can lead to ethanol poisoning which, when left untreated by an alcohol addiction treatment center in Mclean VA, is potentially fatal. Alcohol is also both physically and psychologically addictive. Common questions about alcohol detox typically include inquiries about how long withdrawal lasts. When you become physically dependent on alcohol, you can experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, such as delirium tremors, which can last for up to 7 days.
Each year, millions of Americans struggle with a drinking problem or alcoholism. Although alcohol is legal, it is one of the most widely abuse psychoactive substances in the United States. Drinking alcohol is common at events like parties or concerts, with young adults especially prone to binge drinking. While in small amounts alcohol creates euphoric and positive emotions, in excess it can cause personality changes, impaired judgment, and lower inhibitions.
What is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism is a chronic mental health disorder that causes you to compulsively abuse alcohol despite wanting to stop or dealing with serious negative consequences. Alcohol causes your brain to release excessive amounts of neurotransmitters like GABA, dopamine, and serotonin. This rush of neurotransmitters creates positive effects associated with intoxication. Unfortunately, over time, your brain becomes dependent on alcohol in order to release neurotransmitters.
When you don’t drink, you can experience intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms, which makes it hard to stay sober.
Common signs of alcoholism include:
- Needing to drink more in order to feel the same positive effects
- Driving while intoxicated
- Experiencing frequent blackouts or hangovers
- Having friends or family members confront you about your drinking
- Inability to control or stop your drinking without help
- Doing things while drunk that you later regret
Common Questions About Alcohol Detox
When you become dependent on alcohol, you may ask some common questions about alcohol detox, like how long detox takes or how withdrawal symptoms are treated. Alcohol detox questions may also include wondering whether detox is done in an inpatient or outpatient setting.
Since alcohol withdrawal symptoms can become life-threatening, most alcohol detox services are done in an inpatient setting to ensure you don’t experience complications. Delirium tremors, which is a rare but fatal alcohol withdrawal symptom, can cause hallucinations, disorientation, and seizures. Treatment centers understand how to control and alleviate withdrawal symptoms to make sure that you are healthy and safe during detox.
Common questions about alcohol detox can also be explained by calling treatment centers directly. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can last anywhere from several days to one week, with the intensity and length depending on how severe your alcoholism is. Following detox, you have the option of continuing inpatient treatment. Inpatient treatment programs typically last 4 weeks, but many treatment centers also offer long-term inpatient programs.
Sagebrush Treatment is Here for You
If you or a loved one is struggling with a drinking problem or alcoholism, you may have pondered some of the most common questions about alcohol detox. Detox allows you to safely withdrawal from alcohol in a therapeutic and supportive setting, improving your ability to maintain sobriety. Sagebrush Treatment Centers, the best alcohol addiction treatment center McLean, VA offers, is here to help. Call us today at 866.488.1156 to learn more about our programs.
