Alcohol Detox and Rehab Programs: What to Expect and How to Choose
You must increase your water intake after drinking too much alcohol to rehydrate. Dehydration caused by alcohol is the primary reason for hangovers. So, it is essential to make sure you drink plenty of water before, during, and after drinking. Here is all the necessary information about how the human body metabolises alcohol, how long it takes to eliminate alcohol from your system, and how to speed up this process. For mild alcohol withdrawal that’s not at risk of worsening, your provider may prescribe carbamazepine or gabapentin to help with symptoms.
Alcohol withdrawal treatments
Alcohol withdrawal causes a range of symptoms when a person with alcohol use disorder stops or significantly decreases their alcohol intake. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, with the most severe being life-threatening. Your body processes alcohol through your liver, breaking it down into simpler substances that can be easily eliminated. Once you get back into the swing of your normal life, it might be easy to relapse and start drinking again. You have lots of options, including 12-step programs, private therapy, and group counseling.
- Your primary care provider can advise you on where to seek care for the physical and mental symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
- Methamphetamine use often leads to cognitive impairments, including memory loss and difficulty concentrating.
- But severe or complicated alcohol withdrawal can result in lengthy hospital stays and even time in the intensive care unit (ICU).
- In the short term, alcohol is processed through your liver in about an hour.
- Detox gradually restores equilibrium and brings the brain and body back into normal functioning without the use of alcohol.
- Eat nutrient-rich foods and reduce added sugars and alcohol to support overall health.
Understanding urine test results
If you have any of these risk factors, it’s important that you withdraw from alcohol at a medical facility that’s equipped to prevent and treat alcohol-related complications. A small percentage of people going through alcohol withdrawal have hallucinations at this point. Doctors may prescribe other medications to treat withdrawal-related symptoms. One example is a beta-blocker (such as propranolol) to reduce high blood pressure.
What are the signs that I should seek professional help for my drinking?
A study from Australia concluded that impairment of motor skills is one of the side effects of consuming alcohol that also affects athletic performance. In addition, exercising will add more stress to your liver as it has to process the toxins from the alcohol and will eliminate lactic acid more slowly, leading to cramps. Eating iron-rich foods can give you energy, make you feel replenished and help to alleviate the effects of alcohol consumption. Most people with mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal don’t need treatment in a hospital. But severe or complicated alcohol withdrawal can result in lengthy hospital stays and even time in the intensive care unit (ICU).
If you are concerned about potential alcohol withdrawal symptoms, talk to your doctor. A doctor can evaluate your overall health and alcohol abuse history to help you determine how ways to get alcohol out of your system likely it is that you’ll experience symptoms. You can also help your body metabolize alcohol by avoiding highly processed foods and drinks like chips, white bread, and soda.
- We want to give recovering addicts the tools to return to the outside world completely substance-free and successful.
- Caffeine is a stimulant, which can perk you up and reverse some of alcohol’s effects.
- It allows your body to heal, reduces cravings, and decreases the risk of relapse.
This contributes to women reaching higher blood alcohol levels than men despite drinking the same amount of alcohol. Genetic, environmental, and physical and mental health factors control alcohol metabolism and elevate your blood alcohol content — the percentage of alcohol in the blood. However, the timeline for detox depends on factors like how much a person used to drink, how long they’ve been drinking, etc. While it can be temporarily enjoyable to consume alcohol, having it in your system doesn’t stay fun for long. If you’ve ever been hungover or intoxicated to the point of feeling sick, you’ve probably wondered how to make the experience end. Chances are, you’ve probably asked yourself, “how can I flush this alcohol out of my system?