Alcohol addiction does not happen overnight. Physical dependency on alcohol makes somebody an alcoholic. For instance, if they suffer from alcohol cravings and are drinking more each time to feel the effect, then they are considered an addict, and sadly 10% of those who drink end up as alcoholics.
When struggling with addiction, sobriety can seem almost impossible, but please know that help is always nearby, and that change is always possible with the correct guidance and support.
When trying to overcome alcohol addiction, reducing alcohol intake gradually is hugely important. As tempting as it might be to try to give it up all in one go, going completely cold turkey can actually do the body more harm than good.
Addiction is a dangerous road to go down, as it affects the body and mind in extreme ways. The condition itself and the journey to recovery can be exhausting and emotionally challenging.
Alcohol withdrawal is the biggest thing people fear when giving up alcohol. Withdrawal happens when the body reacts to a decrease in the amount of alcohol in which the person is consuming. This can cause the body to react badly, as it has become so dependent on the alcohol that it becomes unsure of how to function without it.
These symptoms can be anything from headaches and anxiety, to hallucinations and epileptic fits, and can occur only six hours after a person consumes their last drink.
Each person will react differently to alcohol withdrawal, and symptoms are dependent on certain factors, such as the amount they normally consume, how long they have been drinking for and their medical history. Extreme symptoms, such as clinical depression, epileptic fits, paranoia and hallucinations can occur if the patient has been heavily dependent on alcohol for a very long time.
Under the observation and care of the best rehabilitation centres, a patient’s treatment is carefully planned and monitored, ensuring the most effective and comfortable journey for them.
Recovery tends to start with alcohol detox, followed with alcohol rehab. The idea of the detox is to cleanse the body from alcohol, following with rehab pin-pointing why they turned to alcohol in the first place. This method is also used to build up strength against relapse.
Both stages of recovery are hugely important in this situation. The idea is that they work together to help recover and rebuild the mind and body. When it comes to alcohol addiction, both mind and body are taken over, which means withdrawal can be a challenging process. The physical damage must be fixed initially, so that the body is strong enough to recover mentally.
A lot of the time the detox part of recovery is very difficult, and can even be dangerous, which is why it is recommended to seek professional help to guide you throughout this journey effectively.
Full withdrawal from alcohol will not happen immediately if done safely. It can take weeks or months depending on the severity of the addiction. The physical symptoms will diminish first, and normally so after a week or two. The psychological symptoms tend to last longer, so it is important to get therapy to help with this too, which in turn will help avoid relapse.
Please note that this is not written from a medical point of view, and that if you are looking to overcome alcohol addiction, you should seek professional help.
