Alcohol Detox and Rehab Programs: What to Know

Posted by Amos Fred on June 17th, 2019

The detoxification process is the first stage towards recovery. If you are dependent on alcohol, you’ll need to undergo detox when you check into a Los Angeles alcohol rehab facility before you can get better. Read on to know what you can expect.

Effects of alcohol on your brain

Long-term abuse of alcohol changes the way your brain work. It hijacks your brain by altering the levels of your neurotransmitters,  Forbes explains. For instance, you have a transmitter referred to as glutamate, which increases brain activity as well as energy levels. Alcohol works like a depressant, suppressing the release of glutamate in your system, which leads to a slowdown of your brain’s highways. If you

Withdrawal symptoms

When you stop taking alcohol, you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can include anxiety, sweating and nausea. Any difficulty in sleeping and headaches can also be minor symptoms of alcohol detox. However, if you’ve been abusing alcohol for a long, long time, then you may end up undergoing serious withdrawal symptoms which include tremors, seizures, and extreme hallucinations. Disorientation and delirium may also occur in rare cases. For a safer and more comfortable experience, you’ll need to undergo medically-assisted detox. That’s why it’s important to pick a Los Angeles alcohol rehab that offers detox services.

Choosing a facility

Whether you’re looking for a Los Angeles drug rehab or alcohol rehab center, you’ll need to start with research. Find out which ones have the resources and staff to provide the treatment you need.

Look for credentials

Credentials and qualifications matter. When you sign up for a Los Angeles drug rehab, you need to make sure you seek out treatment from a legit facility. The same thing goes for when you look for an alcohol rehab center. Look for accreditation and other qualifications to make sure you’re getting treatment from a qualified team.

Ask about the program

Pick a facility that offers care plans customized to address your needs. One-size-fits-all treatment programs may not get you the results you want. With a care plan that factors in your situation, you can achieve a faster recovery.

Choose how long

Some treatment programs run for a few days while others run for a week or two. Some take months to complete while others may last for an entire year. Think about what you need. Discuss your case with your doctor to find out which treatment option suits you and will give you the best chance at recovery.

Discuss aftercare

Relapses happen after patients transition from the treatment program into the outside world. Some find it hard to apply the lessons they learned while in the program. Others may simply not be ready yet. If the rehab facility offers an aftercare service, though, that goes a long way to preventing relapses.

Learn more about your condition

The best part about checking into treatment is gaining greater understanding about your condition. You can tell myths from fact. With the right program, you’ll learn to cope with the addiction in ways that bring positive changes to your life.