Alcohol Detox

Alcohol addiction is when your body becomes physically dependent on alcohol to function. Alcohol depresses the nervous system. When people repeatedly drink, their nervous system is used to needing to ‘fire’ more frequently to work. When alcohol is removed, this system ‘fires’ uncontrollably, which causes the withdrawal symptoms.

There is no definite time frame for how long it takes to become addicted to alcohol, but it can range from weeks to months.

Some signs of alcohol withdrawal are:

These symptoms usually start around eight hours after your last drink and peak between 24 and 72 hours later. It takes people around five days to completely detox, although there may be symptoms which linger for months. This period is especially vulnerable for those attempting to recover from alcohol addiction, so it is essential that they are in a caring and supportive environment.

Because of how uncomfortable and in many cases, dangerous these symptoms are, people who are addicted to alcohol must receive professional help. In some instances, people have died from attempting to withdraw from alcohol on their own. With proper medication and support, these symptoms can be managed effectively.

Our bodies can process one standard shot of liquor per hour, and the effects of alcohol last between four to six hours.

The short term effects of alcohol include:

Prolonged alcohol exposure can cause many health complications. This can result from the toxic effects of alcohol on the body and the behaviors whilst under the influence.

Some of these include:

It is more common than many people think for alcohol addiction to occur at the same time as other mental health conditions. Of all the mental health conditions, anxiety and depression are the most common.

This can occur due to the conditions existing before the alcohol use. Many people who have not received a proper diagnosis will drink to ‘self-medicate’ and relieve the symptoms. Self-medication can cause a negative spiral, as alcohol use only masks the symptoms for a short time. Drinking can make these symptoms worsen over time, with the person then drinking more to try and gain further relief, and it forms a vicious cycle.

People who are addicted to alcohol often use other drugs such as opiates, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, or benzodiazepines to increase the effect. This is especially dangerous, as combining alcohol with these drugs can be fatal.

The Excel Center employs experts who are qualified to diagnose co-occurring disorders and treat their root cause. We offer a range of treatments to support our clients and work with them towards a happy and sustainable recovery.

This is the second stage of withdrawal. In this period, people experience fewer physical symptoms but increased mental ones.

These symptoms can include:

During this phase, your brain is still getting used to functioning without alcohol. Over time, the symptoms will gradually reduce as your brain chemistry returns to normal. Although it can be uncomfortable at first, our brains have a fantastic ability to repair themselves.

This stage of early recovery can be a vulnerable time. The symptoms can be confusing, and one must learn how to live life without using alcohol. Many people experience intense desires for alcohol during this time. For this reason, most medical professionals will recommend engaging in a treatment program after detox.

At the Excel Center, we empower our clients by teaching them coping strategies for when they crave alcohol. We also work with our clients to uncover the cause of why they misused alcohol in the first place.

When armed with this knowledge, our clients have the best possible chance of sustained and successful recovery.

Scientific research has shown that being part of a community benefits recovery. It is often said that the opposite of addiction is connection – and Excel Treatment Center is brilliantly positioned to help you achieve that.

We are partnered with several sober living facilities in New Jersey. This gives those in early recovery a chance to live in a structured environment with rules and boundaries, which is focused entirely on recovery. There are also many mutual aid meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, which provide free support for those seeking to maintain their sobriety.

The Excel Treatment Center is pleased to be partnered with several detoxification facilities that patients are referred to before seeking inpatient or outpatient treatment related to substance abuse. Our partner facilities are professional, licensed, and insurance friendly treatment providers who are committed to providing the highest quality of care. Reach out to us about a referral to a detoxification facility today at (973)-547-1918.