Alcohol is embedded into American culture. You can find someone drinking in just about any setting, including work outings, sports games, and even children’s birthday parties. While occasional alcohol use is fine, you might have a hard time controlling how much you drink.
When you cannot control your alcohol intake, you likely have an alcohol use disorder. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), nearly 30 million people struggled with alcoholism in 2022.
When you are addicted to alcohol, your brain and body rely on it to function properly. As a result, suddenly stopping the use of alcohol will cause withdrawal symptoms. The safest way to overcome alcohol withdrawal is to attend an alcohol detox program in Edison.
Detox treatment programs offer 24/7 health monitoring, medications to soothe withdrawal, and referrals to drug and alcohol addiction treatment centers. Attending one of these programs will reduce your chances of relapsing and make it more likely that you achieve long-lasting sobriety.
What are the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal?
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range from moderately uncomfortable to life-threatening. Without medical treatment, symptoms can become so severe that they include hallucinations and seizures. For this reason, you should always attend a detox treatment facility.
The common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:
- Anxiety and irritability
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Jumpiness
- Shaking or tremors
- Mood swings
- Insomnia
- Troubling thinking clearly
- Clammy skin
- Excessive sweating
- Dilated pupils
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rapid heart rate and high blood pressure
You could develop delirium tremens (DTs) if you attempt to detox from alcohol without medical treatment. This is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that causes seizures, hallucinations, delusions, and high fever. Without medical care, the mortality rate for DTs is 37%.
What to Expect During Alcohol Detox in Edison, NJ
Alcohol detox programs in Edison, NJ, provide a range of supportive services to ensure you remain safe and comfortable during withdrawal. Attending one of these alcohol rehab programs will prevent you from developing severe symptoms like delirium tremens.
During alcohol detox in Edison, you can expect the following treatment services:
Assessment and Intake
The first step in alcohol detox is an in-depth assessment. The staff members will ask you questions about your physical and mental health as well as your history of alcohol abuse. They will also determine if you have any mental health disorders that require treatment or medication.
The information gathered will be used to create an individualized detox plan. Your plan will include things like how long you require detox, what medications you will need, and more.
In addition, you will undergo the intake process. This requires gathering your health insurance or payment information as well as signing medical release forms. Doing this will allow the medical professionals to treat you properly.
24/7 Monitoring and Support
After assessment and intake, you will begin treatment. While you are detoxing you will be monitored on a 24/7 basis to ensure you remain medically stable. This might involve checking your vital signs regularly to prevent any medical emergencies from arising.
In addition, you will have access to support from a mental health professional at all times. A vital aspect of substance abuse treatment is resolving any negative emotions or feelings you might be dealing with. Additionally, detox can be mentally taxing, making support a necessary part of overcoming alcohol withdrawal.
Medication Management
In addition to monitoring your health, you will be prescribed medications to limit your alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Typically, benzodiazepines are used to taper you off of alcohol. These medications target similar receptors in the brain to reduce withdrawal symptoms and prevent cravings.
Your doctor will slowly titrate you off of benzodiazepines until you are no longer experiencing withdrawal symptoms. They might prescribe you a medication that prevents cravings once you have overcome withdrawal. For example, acamprosate or naltrexone can help prevent alcohol relapses.
Treatment Planning
After you have overcome alcohol withdrawal you will work with your therapist to create a long-term treatment plan. They might recommend treatment programs including inpatient rehab, outpatient treatment, or a combination of the two.
Detox is only the first step in overcoming alcoholism. That said, you must follow the treatment plan provided by your therapist. Their treatment recommendations will be based on your personal needs.
Get Connected to a Top-Rated Edison Alcohol Detox Center
If you or a loved one suffers from alcoholism, it’s time to seek help. Alcohol detox is the first step in overcoming an alcohol use disorder. These programs will offer the tools, support, and medications you need to safely beat alcohol withdrawal.
At New Jersey Interventions, we can connect you with an alcohol detox center that suits your needs. Additionally, we can help you set up inpatient or outpatient treatment immediately following your detox program.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you find alcohol detox in Edison, New Jersey.
Medically Reviewed: March 28, 2024
All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.