Alcoholism is one of the most common addictions, and many people struggle every day to break free of it. Despite the prevalence of alcohol addiction, alcohol detox in Tennessee is still challenging due to the withdrawal symptoms. However, detoxing from alcohol doesn’t have to feel impossible. Our alcohol detox in Nashville is a program where clients can find comfort, support, and success in their recovery.
Alcohol Addiction in the US
Alcohol is the most widely consumed substance in the country. An estimated 219.2 million Americans over the age of 12 report using alcohol at least once in their lifetime. This equates to nearly 80% of the total U.S. population. Due to its accessibility and use at various social functions, many individuals begin consuming alcohol more often than intended.
In 2021, 3.2 million people ages 12 to 20 reported binge drinking during a month. Binge drinking is characterized by “a pattern of drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08% or more. This concentration typically occurs when a woman has 4 or more drinks or a man has 5 or more drinks within approximately 2 hours.
In addition, an estimated 613,000 people reported heavy alcohol use during one month in a 2021 survey. Of these individuals, 29.5 million suffered from a diagnosable alcohol use disorder. At Brentwood Springs Detox, we have developed a comprehensive program for alcohol detox in Nashville, Tennessee. We help those struggling with an alcohol use disorder of any severity.
The Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder
Before a person enters a medical detoxification program, a diagnosable alcohol use disorder is identified. The signs and symptoms of alcoholism vary on a person-to-person basis. However, some symptoms remain consistent.
The most common symptoms of alcohol use disorder include:
- Inability to control alcohol intake
- Lying about alcohol consumption
- Spending a lot of time drinking and recovering from the effects of alcohol
- Preoccupation with alcohol
- Having issues performing at work or school
- Conflict within relationships, due to drinking patterns
- Continuing to drink despite issues with health or quality of life
- Giving up hobbies or social activities to drink
- Drinking more alcohol to feel its effects
- Participating in risky activities while drinking
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms
Alcohol Withdrawal Signs & Symptoms
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable and potentially dangerous without proper medical care. Therefore, those struggling to recover from alcohol addiction should understand they will need support during detox.
The most common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Depressed mood and suicidal ideation
- Changes in appetite
- Sleep issues and insomnia
- Profuse sweating and clammy skin
- Tiredness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mood swings
- Headache
- Shakiness and tremors
- Increased heart rate
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
At Brentwood Springs, we provide around-the-clock medical care during alcohol detox in Nashville. Our team of medical professionals treats symptoms as soon as they develop, combining comfort medications with additional treatment options, including therapy and holistic modalities.
Why Is Medical Detox for Alcohol Important?
Medical detox is a crucial first step on the road to alcohol addiction recovery. In detox, a person undergoes a safe alcohol withdrawal under the close supervision of a team of doctors, nurses, and clinicians. Medical detox is important because the symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal can be severe when untreated. In some cases, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening. Furthermore, medical detox is an integral part of the recovery process for two important reasons.
First, in order to make a full recovery, a person must safely undergo alcohol withdrawal. Because the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be so severe, many people continue drinking simply to avoid them. At Brentwood Springs Detox, we ensure a pain-free withdrawal process. Therefore, we provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in our alcohol detox program. During MAT, we prescribe safe medications to help alleviate more severe symptoms.
Secondly, medical detox helps lay a solid foundation for long-term sobriety. For many people, our alcohol detox program serves as a stepping stone into the next phase of recovery. While a person is detoxing, we develop a detailed and personalized aftercare plan. This aftercare plan includes a transition into the next appropriate level of care, which could be inpatient or outpatient treatment.
What to Expect From an Alcohol Detox Program
What should a person expect from an alcohol detox program in Tennessee? The experience a person has depends on several factors. These include:
- Does the alcohol detox center accept health insurance, including major regional and national providers?
- Does the center offer more than medical care? If so, which therapeutic and holistic treatment services do they offer?
- Does the addiction treatment program focus on aftercare planning?
- Is the detox center staffed by a team of licensed and experienced professionals?
- Is the center located near other addiction recovery resources and services?
Our Program for Alcohol Detox in Nashville
Those who choose to undergo alcohol detox at Brentwood Springs Detox can expect to be treated with respect and understanding. All of our clients have access to a variety of comfort-based amenities. Furthermore, we enhance the detox experience by preparing our clients to take the next step on their recovery journey.
Brentwood Springs offers the following additional resources to help with addiction recovery:
- Weekly meetings
- Holistic detox and therapies
- Recreational activities
- Aftercare services
- Medication-assisted programming
- Drug and alcohol screening
- Wound care
At Brentwood Springs, our alcohol addiction treatment program begins with a short stay in our inpatient detox center. For those looking to detox from alcohol in Nashville, Tennessee, we are available to help. We effectively treat all symptoms of alcohol withdrawal as soon as they develop. Our clinical and medical team utilizes a range of evidence-based techniques, providing relief from even the most severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol Detox Timeline
The timeline of alcohol detox varies depending on the severity of the alcohol use disorder. Additionally, the presence of any co-occurring disorders affects the duration of detoxification. However, most alcohol detox timelines follow the same general structure.
- Approximately 6 to 12 hours after the last drink, mild withdrawal symptoms begin. These symptoms might include a headache, restlessness, nausea, and a loss of appetite.
- Over the first 2 or 3 days of detox, withdrawal symptoms continue to worsen and become more intense. Most symptoms can be resolved with rest and over-the-counter medications.
- Within about 3 days after the final drink, withdrawal symptoms will peak in intensity. This is known as acute withdrawal. Symptoms could become dangerous or life-threatening and include hallucinations, seizures, and delirium tremens (DTs).
- After symptoms peak, they will taper throughout the remainder of the detox process. Most inpatient detox services take about 7 to 10 days before a person is ready to enter the next phase of alcoholism treatment.
Detox is the Beginning To Alcoholism Treatment
Detoxification is a necessary first step in treating alcoholism. It’s all about clearing the body of alcohol and managing the withdrawal symptoms that come after alcohol consumption stops. These symptoms can range from mild such as trouble sleeping and feeling anxious, to more serious conditions like seizures and delirium tremens.
Experiencing the physical and mental effects of alcohol withdrawal can be daunting. So, it’s essential to have medical supervision during detox to ensure safety and manage any possible complications.
Detox is just the beginning. It sets the stage for other treatments like counseling and long-term behavioral therapies that aim to get to the root of the addiction and help individuals stay sober for the long haul.
Get the Alcohol Detox You Deserve in Nashville
We understand how difficult it can be to reach out for help. Our admissions process for alcohol detox in Nashville is straightforward. Rest assured, as soon as you contact us you will be met with kindness, compassion, and understanding. Our experienced team is available to walk you through the alcohol addiction treatment process. We are standing by to help get you on the road to alcohol addiction recovery as quickly as possible.
Simply contact us today to begin.