Massachusetts alcohol detox centers offer a safe and supportive environment for people to get sober from alcohol.
Medical alcohol detox programs provide 24/7 supervision, supportive medication, and clinical support throughout the withdrawal process. This can help individuals safely withdraw from alcohol and prevent potential complications.
Recovering Champions is an accredited drug abuse treatment facility that offers a range of outpatient treatment services to support individuals in their addiction recovery. Here, you’ll find more information about Massachusetts alcohol detox and additional addiction services commonly recommended after detox.
Who Needs Alcohol Detox?
Alcohol detox is the first step of the recovery journey for people who have become dependent on alcohol. This means that there is a buildup of the substance in your body. This develops after a period of frequent, heavy drinking, whereby your body becomes accustomed to the presence of alcohol in your system.
Detoxification is the process of allowing your body to remove drugs like alcohol from your system. But for chronic alcoholics, and those with severe dependence, this process can become dangerous without medical support.
About 1 in 20 alcoholics experience a severe form of alcohol withdrawal known as delirium tremens (DTs). This can cause symptoms such as confusion, fever, hallucinations, and life-threatening seizures within the first 48 hours of your last drink.
Within a detox program, individuals can be monitored for severe health concerns during withdrawal. Detox clinicians can provide medications to ease the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms and reduce alcohol cravings.
How Alcohol Detox Programs Work
Medical detoxification programs provide alcoholics with the safest and most effective way to get sober. The need for medically supervised detox can be determined through an initial clinical assessment.
Primary components of alcohol detox include:
- clinical assessment
- detoxification
- continued care coordination
Seeking professional substance abuse services can reduce the risk of relapse, monitor health concerns throughout the process, and coordinate continued care in an alcohol rehab program.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can begin within six to 12 hours after your last drink. For chronic alcoholics, withdrawal symptoms may be more severe.
Severe symptoms are also more likely to occur in people with co-occurring mental health disorders, older adults, and those who have previously detoxed from alcohol. People addicted to other drugs, such as opioids, may also be at higher risk for complications during withdrawal.
Alcohol rehab centers that offer detox services can monitor individuals throughout the detox process. Alcohol withdrawal may last anywhere from three to seven days. Symptoms generally peak about 48 to 72 hours into the withdrawal process.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Alcohol withdrawal can occur in a couple stages. First, you’ll experience symptoms of acute (or early) withdrawal. This can include some of the more severe symptoms associated with DTs, as well as other uncomfortable physical and psychological symptoms.
Early withdrawal symptoms may include:
- tremors (shakiness)
- nausea and vomiting
- anxiety and depression
- sweating
- nightmares
- mood swings
- foggy thinking
- headache
- changes in pupil size
Severe symptoms during the first 48 hours of withdrawal may include high body temperature, racing heart, hallucinations, severe sweating, and seizures.
After the first few days of withdrawal, some symptoms—such as alcohol cravings, depression, and trouble sleeping—may linger. These are known as protracted (or late) withdrawal symptoms. Depending on the nature of your alcohol use, and the duration, these may last for weeks or even months.
Alcohol Detox Treatments
Alcohol withdrawal can be a very uncomfortable process. To ease symptoms and prevent complications, healthcare professionals may offer several treatments to combat discomfort:
- medication: Certain medications, such as benzodiazepines, are approved to treat alcohol withdrawal. Medicines may be administered to cause sedation and reduce discomfort.
- IV therapy: Medicines and fluids may be administered through a vein to prevent dehydration and properly treat symptoms.
- nutritional supplements: Alcoholism can cause nutritional deficiencies. Taking nutritional supplements can help replenish the body and aid in the recovery process.
Your treatment plan in an alcohol detox program will be customized according to your needs. Treatment options will be determined through an initial assessment and continued monitoring.
What Happens After Alcohol Detox?
Recovering from alcohol addiction requires more than just getting sober. After successfully detoxing from alcohol, it’s highly recommended that newly sober individuals seek continued substance abuse treatment in an inpatient or residential treatment program.
A residential inpatient treatment program can help individuals maintain their sobriety, learn coping skills that support their recovery, and address the underlying causes of their addiction.
Recovering Champions belongs to a network of addiction treatment centers that, together, offer a full continuum of care. We partner with nearby detox centers in Massachusetts and offer a range of supportive outpatient programs for substance use disorders.
From our addiction recovery center, we offer:
- Day Treatment (Partial Hospitalization)
- Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
- Outpatient Program (OP)
Our alcohol treatment programs feature a wide array of substance abuse services and therapies to support individuals as they continue their path towards lifelong recovery.
Continue Your Addiction Recovery Journey At Recovering Champions
If you’re looking for a step-down addiction treatment program for yourself or a loved one in the New England region, consider Recovering Champions‘ recovery center in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Located about an hour-and-a-half out of Boston, our top-rated treatment facility serves the following major areas:
- Boston
- Brockton
- Danvers
- Quincy
- Springfield
- Worcester
Our drug rehab facility offers an evidence-based, personable approach to addiction treatment that recognizes the importance of making treatment customizable according to each person’s needs. We offer dual diagnosis treatment and holistic care in addition to standard treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and group therapy.
Many of our staff members are in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. This informs our practice and helps us better prepare individuals for an addiction-free future.
The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t kept us from helping individuals access the high-quality care they need. Call us today to learn more about our Massachusetts alcohol rehab programs and to schedule a free clinical assessment.
