Alcohol Detox in Orange County

Alcohol is a highly addictive substance. It changes how your brain works and creates powerful cravings that can overwhelm your behaviors and take hold of your daily life.

But it is socially acceptable to drink, so the stigma over getting help for alcohol addiction can be even more shameful. Or just put off because it’s “not that bif of a deal.” But alcohol use disorder is a real, life-threatening disease. And an alcohol detox in Orange County is the best option for finding the root causes of alcohol addiction and getting the tools to finally experience joyful, sustained sobriety.

What Is Alcohol Dependence?

Alcohol is a depressant, which means it slows down your body’s functions and reactions. When you drink alcohol regularly, your body builds up a tolerance to it. This means that you need more alcohol to feel the same effects as when you used to drink less. Over time, this can lead to dependence on alcohol. If you suddenly stop drinking or decrease the amount of alcohol you consume, your body will go into withdrawal as it tries to adjust itself back to normal function.

What Is Alcohol Detox?

If you are considering an alcohol detox in Orange County, it is important to understand the process. Put simply, alcohol detox is the process of removing alcohol from the body of someone who has become physically dependent on it. This process typically involves a period of abstinence from alcohol. During that time their body will through a series of withdrawal symptoms as it adjusts to functioning without the presence of alcohol.

Because alcohol detox can be a dangerous process, it should always happen in a safe, monitored environment. The withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening. Cold turkey quitting of alcohol can actually lead to dehydration, which can cause imbalances in electrolytes and potentially lead to seizures or cardiac arrhythmias.

Alcohol Detox: Withdrawal Side Effects

When someone stops drinking alcohol suddenly after heavy use over an extended period, they experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms. There are three main withdrawal symptoms: physical, mental, and emotional. These symptoms can make it difficult for people trying to quit drinking on their own to continue abstaining from alcohol. These symptoms are usually caused by alcohol’s effects on neurotransmitters (chemicals in your brain that carry signals between nerves) and how they relate to mood regulation, sleep patterns, and pain tolerance.

• Withdrawal symptoms that will likely occur in detoxification include:
• Anxiety or nervousness
• Depression
• Irritability or mood swings
• Tremors or shaking
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• Sweating and clammy skin
• Insomnia or disturbed sleep
• Hallucinations or delirium tremens (DTs)
• Seizures
• Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
• Dehydration
• Confusion or disorientation

If someone stops drinking all at once, they will likely experience severe withdrawal symptoms. This is why quitting alcohol “cold turkey” is not recommended. Though these symptoms are due to the abrupt cessation of alcohol consumption, they can be alleviated by anti-nausea drugs, analgesics (pain relievers), and sedatives.

Medication Assisted Alcohol Detox in Orange County

Many people avoid alcohol detox because they are afraid that the discomfort will be too much to handle. They think the cravings will be too strong and the actual pain will be overwhelming. While detox can be a difficult experience, a qualified alcohol detox center like Saddleback Recovery can offer medications to make the process as comfortable as possible—both physically and psychologically. Here are some commonly used medications in alcohol detox.

• Benzodiazepines: These drugs are often used to help manage anxiety, tremors, and seizures during alcohol detox. Examples include diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and chlordiazepoxide (Librium).
• Antipsychotics: For individuals experiencing severe hallucinations or delirium tremens (DTs), antipsychotic medications such as haloperidol (Haldol) may be used to manage symptoms.
• Antidepressants: In some cases, antidepressant medications such as sertraline (Zoloft) or fluoxetine (Prozac) may be used to help manage depression and anxiety during alcohol detox.
• Naltrexone: This medication can be used to help reduce alcohol cravings and prevent relapse once detox is complete. It works by blocking the effects of alcohol on the brain, and can be taken orally or via an injection.
• Acamprosate: This medication can be used to help reduce alcohol cravings and prevent relapse by restoring the balance of chemicals in the brain that are disrupted by long-term alcohol use.

Alcohol Detox at Saddleback Recovery

At Saddleback Detox center, our clients are offered a full treatment alcohol detox. This means, during treatment clients receive more than just detoxification. The preparation phase includes finalizing all the aspects of the next level of care. During their stay, our clients participate in:

Psycho-Educational Groups: DBT, CBT, Anger Management, Communication, and Emotional Intelligence

Recovery Groups: Relapse Prevention, Recovery Principles, Refusal Skills, and Practical Sobriety Tools

Experiential Therapies: Meditation, Mindfulness, Expressive Art Therapy, Yoga, Music Therapy, Life Skills, and Nutritional Cooking Classes

After Alcohol Detoxification

Once your withdrawal symptoms have ended and you’ve been stable for a period of time, it’s time for rehabilitation—which can take place in an outpatient or residential setting. Our team walks each client through that process to ensure the best possible outcome for anyone moving on from our program. During rehab, you’ll learn how to cope with stress without turning to alcohol again, develop healthy eating habits and participate in group therapy sessions with others who have also struggled with addiction issues like yours.

Long-term Recovery

After detox, many people will enter a period of rehabilitation where they learn how to live without drugs or alcohol and develop coping skills for dealing with cravings and triggers that can lead them back into addiction. After alcohol detox, some people may experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety or insomnia. As long as these symptoms are managed by a healthcare professional, they should be temporary and not cause long-term damage.

Detoxing from alcohol is a complex process, but it can be done. The longer you stay sober, the more likely you will succeed in your recovery. You can achieve lifelong sobriety with the right support and a solid plan.