Alcohol Detox California

Drinking usually begins as a social activity. Or it could start as a way to relax. However, in time, what begins as occasional drinking can turn into a habit. That habit can eventually turn into an addiction. As your body becomes dependent on alcohol, it becomes harder to stop without experiencing withdrawal symptoms, making you go back to drinking just to stop them. This vicious circle is why you need expert help.

We Level Up California will help you safely manage withdrawal and clear alcohol from the body. We will help you build a strong foundation for successful recovery and a life free from alcohol abuse.

What Is Alcohol Detox?

During alcohol detox, your body clears itself of alcohol after you stop drinking. It is the first step in overcoming alcohol addiction. This process usually takes place in a medical setting where professionals can monitor your health and manage withdrawal symptoms.

It is important to do it in reliable alcohol detox centers in California. Why? Stopping alcohol suddenly can be dangerous. When your body, used to consistently getting alcohol, stops receiving it, it reacts. These reactions are called withdrawal symptoms and are uncomfortable and sometimes even life-threatening. To stay safe, you need medical supervision and constant care.

Detox will cleanse your body of alcohol. It will clear your mind and improve your physical health. It will stabilize your mental health, as well. When detox ends, you will be ready to move on. You might need help from our inpatient alcohol rehab California center and join therapy and counseling. Here, you will learn how to live your life without using substances.

How Drinking Turns to Addiction

Alcohol is classified as a depressant because it slows down the central nervous system, which impacts brain function and neural activity. Alcohol improves the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) – a neurotransmitter that inhibits brain activity. This leads to:

• slower reflexes
• impaired judgment
• decreased coordination

Alcohol also reduces neural activity by increasing GABA activity and decreasing glutamate – an excitatory neurotransmitter. This suppression of neural communication leads to feelings of relaxation and sedation.

At first, alcohol consumption can cause euphoria and reduced anxiety due to the release of dopamine. This positive reinforcement can encourage repeated use. However, over time, the brain adapts to the presence of alcohol, requiring larger amounts to achieve the same effects. This phenomenon is known as tolerance. As tolerance develops, physical dependence also emerges. The body becomes reliant on alcohol to function normally.

Psychological dependence is another significant factor in alcohol addiction. You may become emotionally and mentally reliant on alcohol to cope with stress, social situations, or other issues.

Alcohol Abuse in California

Many Californians binge drink. According to data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2022), 18.2% of adults in California reported binge drinking in the past 30 days. Many people are not aware of how risky drinking is. It can turn to addiction and turn your life around.

If you notice you cannot cut down and go on drinking despite the negative consequences, seek professional support.

Stages of Alcohol Detox

There are three stages of alcohol detox. Each one has a distinct level of severity and dangerousness, as well as different symptoms.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms are not the same for everyone. If you go through an alcohol abuse detox in California, your withdrawal symptoms might be shorter or longer, mild or severe, all depending on your condition. If you have struggled with years of heavy drinking, you are more likely to go through delirium tremens or have seizures.

Although they vary from person to person, there are some common withdrawal symptoms. They can be physical and psychological:

For your own benefit and safety, you should learn about alcohol withdrawal. There are intervals during which you will experience different withdrawal symptoms. Some symptoms are very strong, which is why you need help from a medical professional. At our alcohol detox California center, we will track your blood pressure and heart rate to prevent your situation from worsening.

Doctors and nurses can give you the right medications and keep an eye on your vital signs. They also provide emotional support and make sure you stay hydrated and nourished. This support reduces the risk of relapse and helps you move forward with your recovery.

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How Long Does Alcohol Detox Take?

According to a 2013 literature review in the Industrial Psychiatry Journal, the following is a general alcohol withdrawal timeline with corresponding symptoms:

6 hours

Minor withdrawal symptoms usually begin about six hours after your last drink. A person who has a long history of heavy drinking could have a seizure six hours after stopping drinking.

12 to 24 hours

A small percentage of people going through alcohol detox have hallucinations at this point. They may hear or see things that aren’t there. While this symptom can be scary, doctors don’t consider it a serious complication.

24 to 48 hours

Minor withdrawal symptoms usually continue during this time. These symptoms may include headache, tremors, and stomach upset. If a person goes through only minor withdrawal, their symptoms usually peak at 18 to 24 hours and start to decrease after four to five days.

48 to 72 hours

Some people experience a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that doctors call delirium tremens (DTs) or alcohol withdrawal delirium. A person with this condition can have a very high heart rate, seizures, or a high body temperature.

72 hours

This is the time when alcohol withdrawal symptoms are usually at their worst. In rare cases, moderate withdrawal symptoms can last for a month. These include rapid heart rate and illusions (seeing things that aren’t there).

Treatments During Alcohol Detox

If you have moderate or severe withdrawal symptoms, you may need medications. Examples of these include:

• Benzodiazepines: Doctors prescribe these medicines to reduce the likelihood of seizures during alcohol withdrawals. Examples include diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), and lorazepam (Ativan). Doctors often choose these drugs to treat alcohol withdrawals.
• Neuroleptic medications: These medications can help depress nervous system activity and may be helpful in preventing seizures and agitation associated with alcohol withdrawal.
• Nutritional support: Doctors may administer nutrients such as folic acid, thiamine, and magnesium to reduce withdrawal symptoms and to correct nutrient deficiencies caused by alcohol use.

Doctors may prescribe other medications to treat withdrawal-related symptoms. One example is a beta-blocker (such as propranolol) to reduce high blood pressure.

Once the immediate withdrawal symptoms have passed, a doctor may prescribe medicines to reduce the likelihood that a person will start drinking again. Examples include:

• Disulfiram (Antabuse): This medication can reduce alcohol cravings and makes a person feel very ill if they drink while taking it.
• Naltrexone (ReVia): Naltrexone can reduce alcohol cravings and help a person maintain their abstinence from alcohol by blocking opioid (feel-good) receptors in their body.
• Topiramate (Topamax): This medicine may help reduce alcohol consumption and extend the periods of abstinence from alcohol abuse.

A doctor may discuss these and other medicines with you. At alcohol addiction treatment, you can choose to use these along with therapy and support groups to help you maintain your sobriety.

Importance of Combining Medications with Therapy and Support Groups

Medications will help you manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. However, this is not enough. You also need to understand why you started relying on alcohol as a coping mechanism and became addicted to it in the first place. When you understand this, you will adopt healthy coping strategies that will eliminate your need for drinking.

You are only human and want to be understood. This is especially true when you are going through tough times, such as detoxing from alcohol and battling addiction. Group therapy is an excellent way for you to connect with other people. These people understand what you are going through because they are or have been there, too. You will share experiences, gain new insights, and feel encouraged to move forward.

When we combine therapy and counseling with medication, you get the kind of care that supports every part of your healing process.

Detoxing at Home? Should You Do It?

At-home detox kits will not work and will not eliminate your addiction withdrawals or cravings. Detoxing at home or by using untested products can be risky, especially where severe withdrawal symptoms are not treated in a timely manner. FDA-approved detox medications specially designed to help you overcome addiction must undergo clinical trials. These detox medications require U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval and must be prescribed by trained, licensed physicians.

In addition, you won’t be able to help yourself if your symptoms get severe or you come across health complications. Only trained healthcare professionals can create an alcohol detox program California that actually works. Only in a controlled setting can you stay safe because medical professionals can respond to risky scenarios and keep you safe.

Get Help from Alcohol Detox Centers in California

Look for professional alcohol detox centers California is proud to have. They provide a safe place for people to start their recovery from alcohol or drug addiction. These centers offer medical supervision to manage withdrawal symptoms and prevent complications. A team of doctors, nurses, and therapists monitors your health and provides medications to ease discomfort.

Detox centers also offer emotional support through counseling and therapy to help you cope with stress. They ensure you get proper hydration and nutrition during detox. The structured setting reduces the risk of relapse by keeping you away from alcohol or drugs.

Alcohol use disorder should not be taken lightly. It is a condition that can cause major health, social, and economic problems. Contact We Level Up California today and start your healthier life. We will prepare you for further recovery programs in our detox center California. We will give you, or someone you love, the tools to recover from this disease with professional and safe supervision for alcohol detox treatment.

Feel free to call us to speak with one of our counsellors, and know that each call is private and confidential.

California Alcohol Detox Admission Steps

You can be at our alcohol rehab California center in less than 24 hours. Here is how the admission process goes:

• Give us a call to get started. We’ll talk to you for 15-30 minutes to learn about your medical, mental health, and substance abuse history. This information helps us create a personalized treatment plan for you.
• Provide your insurance information. We’ll check if your plan is accepted, and in many cases, we can confirm coverage quickly. We work with a wide network of insurance providers, including Aetna, Cigna, and BCBS California drug rehab insurance. If your insurance is not accepted, we’ll explore other payment options to find a solution that suits you best.
• We arrange your admission. We plan your first meeting with our treatment team. Also, if you are coming from out of town, we’ll also arrange your transportation.
• You arrive, and you start your recovery. You begin your new, healthier life.

Why Choose We Level Up California for Alcohol Detox

Choosing us among the alcohol detox facilities California offers means you will:

• Be in a peaceful and beautiful setting. Our top-notch rehab facilities are located in a serene and picturesque environment, perfect for personal addiction recovery.
• Get care from a compassionate and expert team. Our team includes kind and compassionate therapists who use advanced, science-based treatments. All our addiction specialists are licensed, certified, and well-trained to provide the highest quality care.
• Receive individualized attention. Private, exclusive grounds with a low staff-to-client ratio ensure you receive personalized care and attention.
• Relax and calm. We offer wellness therapies and mindfulness techniques to support your health.
• Stay in modern and comfortable accommodations. Our facilities are safe, stylish, and comfortable, creating a serene environment for recovery.

Start Detoxing Today and Build a Healthier Life

Alcohol detox will change your life. It will help you manage withdrawal symptoms safely and prepare you for long-term recovery. It stabilizes your health, reduces cravings, and gets you ready for the next steps in treatment. Call We Level Up California today to learn more about our detox programs. Get the support you need and prepare to live a free and healthy life.

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Voluntarily testimonials from the We Level Up Treatment Center network vary. Not intended as a guaranteed treatment or outcome as each person's journey is unique.