Alcohol Detox: Everything You Need to Know About Detoxification

Alcohol use is common and can be a part of many pastimes for people and social groups. However, despite its legality, it is still an addictive substance, and not everyone uses alcohol the same way. Monitoring each person’s substance use, their relationship with alcohol, and its effects is crucial to determining when a person’s use of alcohol is causing unnecessary negative effects. Realizing this need for change is just the beginning, and exploring treatment options for alcohol dependence and alcohol detoxification programs is part of taking your first step toward a sober, transformed life. 

Knowing If You Have an Alcohol Addiction

Identifying the signs and symptoms of substance abuse and substance use disorder (SUD) can be challenging. Many people may believe that they have their drinking under control, or that they may only exhibit mild symptoms and feel they don’t need professional treatment programs. However, being honest with oneself, working with trusted friends, family members, loved ones, or calling to speak to a professional like those available at Hawaii Island Recovery is the best way to explore each person’s alcohol intake, expectations, and potential alcohol detox and treatment programs. 

How Do You Know If You Have Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)?

Each person’s relationship with alcohol use will be unique. However, some common signs and symptoms of AUD can indicate a need for change, beginning with alcohol detox. 

Do You Exhibit Common Signs of Alcohol Abuse?

Alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction affect every aspect of daily life. Even when a person is not drinking, there can be signs of the effects of alcohol. Some of the most common signs of alcohol abuse include:

• Drinking more than intended in a single sitting
• Difficulty or inability to cut down the amount of alcohol consumption, even when wanting to
• Engaging in consistent episodes of heavy drinking or binge drinking
• Experiencing alcohol cravings when alcohol is not present or accepted
• Thinking about when it will be possible to drink again
• Drinking in increasingly risky situations, such as before driving, in public spaces, at work, or during  lunch break
• Enduring consistent hangovers
• Experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms

Seeing alcohol as a solution to feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health needs can also indicate an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. This is especially true if a person is drinking alcohol in expectation of experiencing stress, starting the day with drinking. 

Does Your Alcohol Use Interfere With Relationships?

While those living with alcohol addiction or AUD can feel isolated from others and may even hide their drinking from friends, family, or a loved one, the effects of alcohol are never truly confined to a single person. Alcohol addiction affects entire families and has profound effects on important relationships. Compromised communication, an increase in arguments, deterioration of trust, increasingly secretive lifestyles, conflict over finances, and much more can all be connected to a person’s alcohol use. 

Those living with AUD can also become very defensive when confronted with questions about their drinking habits. This can further add tension to important relationships, increasing anger, anxiety, and other challenges. 

Does Your Alcohol Use Interfere With Work and Other Daily Responsibilities?

Alcohol use can also profoundly impact personal and professional responsibilities. Inability or unwillingness to tend to responsibilities around the house is common, especially due to persistent hangovers, headaches, and withdrawal symptoms. A decrease in workplace performance and attendance is also common, and a person may also become less focused when attempting to accomplish tasks, instead thinking about their last drink, or when they will have their next opportunity to engage with alcohol. 

Each person’s personal life, professional life, and alcohol use are intimately related. A person does not have to be drinking at work to experience the effects of alcohol abuse in the workplace, and addressing the effects of alcohol on personal and professional goals is part of creating an effective alcohol addiction treatment plan for transformative change. 

Understanding Functional Alcoholism

Even those who seem to be in control of their drinking habits from the outside can still be at risk of the negative health effects of alcohol use. Functional alcoholism, also referred to as high-functioning alcoholism, is a form of alcohol addiction where a person may continue to outwardly appear capable of managing their alcohol use, and often lie or otherwise convince others that their drinking is not a problem. However, those living with this form of alcohol addiction still suffer many negative effects on their overall well-being, both in their physical and mental health. 

Those living with functional alcoholism may continue to hold down steady jobs, manage relationships, and tend to daily responsibilities. However, they may often be drinking in secret, or accomplish these goals despite alcohol use, not because of it. Despite an outward appearance of being in control, this kind of addiction can still dictate daily life, with a person drinking whenever opportunities arise and experiencing emotional turmoil or physical effects of alcohol abuse. 

What are the Signs of Functional Alcoholism?

Identifying functional alcoholism can be challenging, as those living with this form of addiction are often adept at hiding the extent of their alcohol use from others. Frequently drinking in secret is common, and a person may even carefully monitor their trash to be sure that obvious signs of alcohol abuse, like excessive bottles, are difficult to find. A person may also binge drink or be unable to control how much they drink at a given time. 

Spending excessive time alone or in secret, being cagey about finances or daily schedules, or adopting a secretive lifestyle by locking doors can all be signs of alcohol abuse, even if a person seems to be in control on the surface. Anxiety, depression, irritability, and mood swings are also common. 

Those living with functional alcoholism can also be at an increased risk of alcohol-related legal issues, especially driving under the influence in commutes to and from work or while tending to other responsibilities, making identifying and addressing this form of addiction paramount. Talking to a healthcare professional or trained addictionologist at Hawaii Island Recovery is crucial in understanding functional alcoholism and familiarizing oneself with potential signs and treatment options. 

What Health Problems Can Occur With Functional Alcoholism?

Because those living with functional alcoholism can hide their use, it can go undetected or undiagnosed for a long time before being addressed. However, this kind of addiction still comes with a myriad of health problems. Physical health issues like liver damage and disease, heart problems, and damage to cognitive functions are still serious challenges. It can also lead to the development of mental health disorders, bringing mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and more into daily life. 

However, effective alcohol treatment at Hawaii Island Recovery is designed to address not just the immediate effects of alcohol but also its impact on physical and mental health. The recovery process at our treatment facility embraces a holistic approach to healing, focusing on overcoming alcohol use while engaging in physical healing, emotional healing, mental healing, and spiritual wellness. 

When Is It Time to Consider Detox for Alcohol Addiction?

Even considering taking a step into alcohol detox is a major accomplishment, and is a sign that a person is mentally and emotionally preparing for change. Many signs can indicate that a person’s relationship with alcohol has developed to a point where a dedicated alcohol treatment plan is necessary. Asking oneself some poignant questions can help each person determine their relationship with alcohol and consider talking to a dedicated alcohol detox facility about starting their healing journey.

Are You Unable to Function Without Alcohol?

Feeling as if alcohol is needed to feel “normal” is dangerous. Finding difficulty getting up in the morning without drinking, or drinking as a way to manage headaches, can all make it seem like alcohol is necessary for daily functioning. Feeling restless without alcohol, or even shaking or feeling anxious when not drinking, can all indicate a need for change. 

Are You Experiencing Short-Term Issues Related to Alcohol Abuse?

Alcohol has many short-term effects that can complicate daily life for those living with addiction. Feelings of anxiety and depression when drinking, guilt, as well as physical symptoms like increased heart rate, difficulty concentrating on tasks, fatigue, and exhaustion, are all common. Cognitive impairment can also lead to compromised decision-making skills, increasing the risk of other risks or injury. 

Mood swings, anger, heightened blood pressure, and more are also common short-term challenges connected to alcohol abuse. Alcohol also acts as a depressant on the central nervous system, slowing reaction times, affecting coordination, and compromising decision-making skills. 

Are You Experiencing Long-Term Issues Associated With Alcohol Abuse?

However, the effects of alcohol abuse can persist even after the immediate effects of alcohol wear off. Even when a person is not drinking, they can still experience several symptoms that indicate the need for medical professionals and trained addiction support. Chronic feelings of anxiety and depression are common in those living with alcohol abuse, and can become worse as the effects of alcohol wear off. Liver and heart disease are also common, as well as compromised relationships with friends, family, and loved ones that can take time and effort to repair. 

A person may also feel trapped in a cycle of alcohol use, even when not drinking. It is common to feel as if a person has to schedule their day around opportunities to drink, to feel “normal,” making it difficult to focus on other aspects of life. 

Detoxification For Alcohol Addiction: What to Expect from Alcohol Detox

Alcohol addiction is a powerful disease, but there is always help available. Talking to a professional about the alcohol detox process can help you or your loved one explore alcohol detox for themselves, taking this first important step toward a life of change and sobriety. 

Alcohol detox is a program where a person not only stops the use of alcohol, but also navigates the abrupt changes this can have on a person’s body and brain as they expel traces of alcohol from their system. It takes place in several stages, helping each person navigate challenges while setting expectations throughout this stage of treatment. 

Stage One: Evaluation

This first stage of alcohol detox involves talking with a professional about a person’s use of alcohol and relationship with it to determine the severity of AUD, as well as identify personalized needs such as mental health disorders, trauma, or other factors related to alcohol abuse. 

Stage Two: Stabilization

This stage of alcohol detox involves the drastic changes that occur when you stop drinking. Effective stabilization services help to reach and support a state of physical and emotional control, navigating mental health and physical needs while managing alcohol withdrawal syndrome from the cessation of alcohol use. This stage can be challenging, especially for those with severe alcohol withdrawal, with professional treatment, support groups, and medication available for severe withdrawal symptoms or life-threatening medical conditions like delirium tremens (DTS).

Stage Three: Preparing for Treatment

Alcohol detox is not the end of a person’s recovery journey. Rather, ongoing care and engagement in inpatient or outpatient programs are integral to each person’s sustained healing journey, with professionals available to support this transition and further develop relapse prevention strategies. 

Do Professionals Supervise the Detox Process?

Yes! Professionals play a crucial role in setting expectations and managing unexpected symptoms, while also providing physical support, medical advice as needed, and assistance in transitioning to more advanced levels of care. 

How Long Does It Take to Detox From Alcohol?

The length of detox will vary from person to person. However, understanding the detox timeline can help each person set expectations and develop skills for overcoming this difficult stage of recovery. 

• First 6-12 hours: This is when withdrawal symptoms set in, and this time can be very uncomfortable. The first day or two can also be when relapse is most common.
• First 72 hours: After about three days, withdrawal can be intense. However, the brain and body will begin to move towards a new homeostasis without the use of alcohol. This timeframe is challenging, but also marks a time of change for each person. 
• 3-5 days: At this point, withdrawal symptoms can begin to clear up. While experiencing urges and cravings is still common, a person will begin to think more clearly and notice a lessening severity in their withdrawal symptoms. 
• After 7 days: Depending on the person, the detox program can end between seven and 14 days. Once seven days have passed, you will talk with professionals to monitor ongoing progress, determining not just what challenges still lie ahead but also the level of care to move to the next phase of your healing story.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Associated With Alcohol Addiction

Each person’s withdrawal symptoms will be unique, with unique symptoms and severity depending on their history and intensity of alcohol use. However, there are some common withdrawal symptoms that many people share. 

Some of the most common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Sweating
• Increased heart rate
• Mood swings 
• Anger
• Insomnia and nightmares
• Confusion
• Hypersensitivity
• Panic
• Aches and pains

The length of these withdrawal symptoms will also vary from person to person. Working with a trained professional to navigate these symptoms can also ensure that they have support and effective relapse prevention strategies in place during this time, as well as navigate medical needs.

The most challenging part of alcohol detox is the beginning, when symptoms are at their most intense, and a person may not have had time to develop effective coping strategies. Professional support during this time is crucial. However, while uncomfortable, it is always possible to get through this initial phase of alcohol detox and create a basis on which to build a sustainable and healthy sober life. 

Medication Management During Alcohol Detox

Depending on the situation, medication is sometimes available to help with specific withdrawal symptoms. Benzodiazepines, diazepam, chlordiazepoxide, and naltrexone are all effective in helping to manage certain detox and withdrawal symptoms. However, medication is not a replacement for other effective healing practices, and is not a “cure” for alcohol addiction. Using these medications only when necessary and under the supervision of a medical professional is paramount. 

Working with Hawaii Island Recovery’s on-site medical professionals to discuss expectations around medication, or if they are necessary, is crucial while continuing to develop other evidence-based strategies and practices to overcome alcohol addiction and successfully navigate alcohol detox. 

Next Steps for Treatment Following Detox

Detox is just the beginning of your healing journey. Alcohol addiction is a disease for which there is no “cure,” and continuing to implement lifestyle changes, develop coping strategies, and create a healthy daily life is an ongoing process. Working with professionals and peers in inpatient care, transitioning to outpatient treatment, and addiction support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or other local addiction healing communities, and more, is all part of not just pursuing sobriety, but maintaining healthy, sober transformations. 

Identifying the signs of alcohol addiction can come with many mixed feelings, and it can be both intimidating and stressful to take the first step toward change. However, there is no replacement for effective alcohol detox, and we at Hawaii Island Recovery are prepared to help you begin your healing journey today. We offer comprehensive care for overcoming not just the effects of alcohol in your life, but also create a personalized treatment program that addresses each of your needs, from mental health disorders and trauma to personal goals and ambitions in sobriety, blending proven healing with holistic wellness and spiritual care. For more information, call us at (866) 390-5070.