A medical detoxification, or detox, is one of the better ways to cope with alcohol withdrawal. Because of the symptoms that come with stopping alcohol use after a prolonged period, it is best to be supported and cared for by medical personnel to ease the intensity of the symptoms and to provide medical care if…
Millions of Americans across the United States have struggled with an addiction to alcohol. Binge drinking and alcohol abuse have led to thousands of deaths across the country, cutting decades across people’s lives. Fortunately, it is possible to overcome alcohol use disorder and stop the various problematic forms of drinking, which can benefit both your…
Detox refers to a person’s rapid cessation from using alcohol or drugs that they’ve become chemically dependent upon. It is the first step in any addiction recovery program. However, detoxing without professional supervision isn’t just uncomfortable; it can be dangerous. If you struggle to manage your alcohol addiction and wish to get sober, there are…
The title of this article is not a teetotaler’s threat. It’s a recounting of the infamous words countless doctors have told people who try to quit drinking on their own. Of course, the reasoning and science behind this declaration could easily slide right by a man or woman struggling with an alcohol dependency problem, making…
For those seeking recovery from an alcohol dependency, detoxing from alcohol is typically an extremely challenging experience. Throughout the detox process—which, according to Medical News Today, initially takes about a week[1]—there is a high likelihood of experiencing negative, even dangerous symptoms of withdrawal. Even milder symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be too uncomfortable to tolerate.…
A study published in March 2020 in the Journal of the American Medical Association – Internal Medicine[1] shows the use of the nerve pain reliever gabapentin—with brand names such as Neurontin, Gralise, and Horizant—may be helpful in treating people with acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The study’s results also demonstrated gabapentin is effective in promoting abstinence…
One of the primary symptoms of having an alcohol use disorder (*: see below for definition) is it tells us we don’t have a problem. Even when we reach for a bottle to “take the edge off.” Even when we lie to a loved one, employer or co-worker about our drinking. Even when we find…
Deciding to get help for drug or alcohol addiction is a big decision. It is one that creates uncertainly. You’re not sure what it may mean for you. Detox does not have to be scary. It’s an opportunity to heal and, in many situations, it can prove to be the best decision for you. At…
While studies have shown the brain is impaired by abuse of alcohol—e.g., the volume of brain matter shrinks or atrophies[1]—research has also demonstrated alcohol detox can reverse this process in a relatively short time. Indeed, the head of one study, Gabriele Ende, a professor of medical physics at the Central Institute of Mental Health in…
Drug detox can seem scary. Your mind can conjure unpleasant images that make you hesitant to seek addiction treatment. If you’ve experienced withdrawal symptoms when using drugs, you may assume that the experience will be similar during detox. The truth is that detox isn’t something you should fear. Addiction professionals have the tools to get…