If you are addicted to alcohol, then you need help to come out of it. Alcohol addiction can be dangerous and can worsen health conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure. In some cases, it can even lead to heart failure.
When to Seek Medical Help
When you are addicted to alcohol, you become dependent on it. You tend to lose focus on your work, start isolating yourself from your loved ones and will always find ways and means to have alcohol. If you are planning to reduce your alcohol consumption, you might have to start gradually. Heavy drinkers who are alcohol dependent and immediately stop drinking, can be potential risks to their health.
There are so many non-profit alcohol addiction rehab San Diego centers such as Genesis Recovery headquartered in La Mesa, California that have alcohol recovery programs such as Spiritually Therapeutic Treatment Experience that can help you lead a healthy life. There are several programs offered by this center which that will be chosen for you based on your addiction.
If you want to enroll in a rehab program, then you need to do your research and need to ask the right questions:
- What type of programs do they offer?
- Do they offer counseling as well as medication?
- Is their staff experienced?
- Do they accept insurance?
When you enroll in a rehab center, you can either opt for any of the below options:
- Inpatient treatment – You need to stay at the rehab center and receive round the clock medical supervision
- Outpatient treatment – You will stay at your home and their attender with visit you once a day
- Partial hospitalization – You will need to come to the rehab center partially and receive your treatment
It takes a lot of patience and effort from your side to wean off alcohol as your body will crave a drop of alcohol and you might also suffer from alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Some of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal that you might experience would be:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Mood Swings
- Hallucinations
- Delirium tremens (DT)
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
A person with delirium tremens has a difficult time concentrating. They might appear confused and have a rapid heartbeat. This can occur when you have completely stopped drinking alcohol in the past 72 hours.
If you are a light or moderate drinker, then you might take a week to get adjusted to your alcohol-free lifestyle. If you are a heavy drinker, then the process might take a bit longer.
Preventing a Relapse
The most difficult challenge that you will face when you wean off alcohol is the relapse phase. You need to stay diverted from all your thoughts that might pull you towards the bottle. Some of the ways how you can achieve this are by:
- Focusing on the positives
- When stressed, avoid resorting to alcohol
- Try meditating
- Take the help of friends who do not drink
- Attend support groups
- Keep yourself occupied by taking up a new hobby
Conclusion
Weaning off alcohol can be tough but with the right support, you will be able to get past this tough phase. Enrolling in rehab centers can make the transition easier for you.