If you are considering rehab for alcohol abuse, congratulations. You’ve made a major decision that will ultimately change your life forever! However, you may have some serious questions before you take the time to commit to rehab. For example, you may have already been hospitalized for alcohol withdrawal and are wondering if a rehab center will admit you. Read on to learn more about this question.
What is Alcohol Withdrawal?
If you only consume alcohol once in a while, it’s doubtful that you will have any symptoms if you stop. But if you have been drinking alcohol heavily for the past few weeks, months, or even years, then you will normally have physical problems when you decide to cut back or stop drinking. The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal range from mild to severe, depending on a number of factors.
You may have heard that alcohol causes a depressive effect on your body. When you drink, your brain functions slow down and alters how your nerves relay signals back and forth. When you continue to drink on a regular basis, your central nervous system becomes used to alcohol. Your body then has to work even harder to keep your brain active and awake. When you stop drinking, your brain remains in this same stay, causing withdrawals to occur.
Withdrawal Symptoms of Alcohol
The symptoms you experience from alcohol withdrawal will vary depending on how much you drink and how long you have been drinking for. You may experience these mild symptoms six hours or so after your last drink:
• Nausea and vomiting
• Anxiety and restlessness
• Shaking hands
• Sweating
• Headaches
The longer you go without a drink, the more severe these symptoms may become.
About 12 to 24 hours after your last drink, you may start experiencing the more severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. You may experience:
• High blood pressure
• Heavy sweating
• Intense vomiting
• Fever and confusion
• Increased heart rate
• Hallucinations
What are Delirium Tremens?
One of the worst symptoms of alcohol withdrawal is known as the delirium tremens, or DTs. Only about 5% of those going through alcohol withdrawal have them. The DTs can start anywhere from 48 to 72 hours after you have had your last drink. The most severe symptoms are vivid hallucinations and delusions. The DTs require medical intervention and can be fatal if left untreated.
Hospitalization for Alcohol Withdrawal
If you have been hospitalized for alcohol withdrawal in the past, you may be wondering if a rehab center will accept your application. The answer is yes. Rehab centers understand that relapses happen. They are not an uncommon occurrence; in fact, about half of all recovering addicts will end up drinking or using drugs again. When you go through the intake process for rehab, be sure to tell them that you have already been to the hospital for alcohol withdrawal symptoms. This will give them an idea of what to expect in the future when they put together a treatment plan.
Why Relapse Occurs
A relapse can occur to anyone who is struggling with alcohol. Alcohol is still an accepted substance to use. You’ll find alcohol at work parties, restaurants, dinners with friends and families, and even in your local convenience store. With so many triggers around it is understandable that you could relapse at any given moment.
How can you stay sober and avoid relapse? Consider the following tips:
Have a sponsor- If you go through rehab or attend support groups, you will likely have a sponsor who can help keep you on track. When you get the urge to drink, call or text them immediately. If you don’t have a sponsor, don’t be afraid to lean on family and friends for support.
Keep attending support groups- It can be tempting to drop out of your local support group once you have some sobriety under your belt. After all, life must go on! However, you can never actually cure your addiction, you can only manage it for the rest of your life. It is important to keep attending groups designed to keep you sober.
Make sobriety your goal- Work, school, friends, family obligations, and a lifetime of responsibilities can get in the way of sobriety. It’s easy to stop making your sobriety a top priority when there are so many other issues to deal with. However, this is an easy way to relapse. Always be willing to put in the work to stay sober.
When you are ready to check into rehab for alcohol use, give us a call at 772-266-5320. We don’t care if you have relapsed one or more times before- we are here whenever you need us.
