Alcohol Withdrawal in Fitchburg, MA

Alcohol withdrawal is a serious health condition that, if not medically treated, can turn fatal. The passing of True Blood star Nelsan Ellis in prison in mid-2017 is an example of what happens when medical treatment is unavailable. An alcoholic, Ellis received no treatment for alcohol withdrawal when arrested for public drunkenness and simply succumbed to his symptoms. If you are considering quitting an alcohol habit, it's very important that you look into quality treatment. There are many options available for alcohol withdrawal in Fitchburg. Contact Fitchburg Drug Rehab Centers today to learn more (877) 804-1531.

Why Do Withdrawal Symptoms Appear?

People use addictive substances for their pleasurable effect. While the specifics of how pleasurable sensations are produced in the brain differ from one addictive substance to another, a basic mechanism of action is common -- these drugs act on the brain's reward center to chemically stimulate feelings of pleasure.

Such tinkering with the brain's chemical balance being unhealthy, the brain attempts to regain control by shutting down such stimulation. When a person consuming alcohol reaches this position, he suddenly feels not very much pleasure. When faced with the development of such tolerance, people consuming alcohol will usually find no choice but to consume even more alcohol.

With such overwhelming chemical disruption, the brain is unable to do much to correct the situation and allows the disruption to go on, learning to work with the disruption and adapting to the unnatural chemical levels involved.

Things change again, however, when an attempt is made to stop taking alcohol. This unnatural chemical equilibrium is again disrupted -- the brain may have become accustomed to the chemical environment induced by the presence of large quantities of alcohol, but it all changes when alcohol is removed.

The brain has no choice but to reestablish control, a process that can take weeks. In the meantime, the brain experiences chemical tumult. This causes terrible symptoms both in the brain and the body. These are called withdrawal symptoms. Medical detox programs in Fitchburg can help you with your withdrawal symptoms.

What Do Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Look Like?

Symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol appear as the brain attempts to readjust its internal chemical equilibrium. The symptoms can be serious enough to require a gradual tapering off, rather than an abrupt cessation of drink.

Withdrawal symptoms are treated in medical detox in Fitchburg. As the brain and body react to the terrible effects of the chemical imbalance, doctors and addiction specialists administer medications to calm down painful symptoms. They monitor the patient's vitals to ensure that the cardiac system and the brain do not sustain injury or damage.

Symptoms can begin within 6 hours of attempting to lower daily consumption of alcohol. Patients can experience any of these symptoms: cardiac complications, abdominal pain, anxiety and agitation, confusion and headaches, an inability to think clearly, anger and insomnia, tremors, restlessness and cold sweats.

These symptoms can peak at 24 hours, and then begin to diminish. In some cases, however, these symptoms persist for as long as 4 days. In those with particularly deep, long-lived addictions involving heavy alcohol consumption, withdrawal symptoms can involve particularly dangerous developments. Seizures and delirium tremens are possible. These symptoms, that occur in 1 in 4 cases of alcohol withdrawal. can cause damage to the brain if left untreated. Seizures produce an effect in the brain known as kindling -- a brain that experiences kindling is less likely to be able to make a clean break with alcohol.

Medical Detox for alcohol withdrawal can save your life

People tend to turn to alcoholism through an inability to face life's challenges. They tend to be in no condition to face the pain of withdrawal. Indeed, in many cases, addicts refuse drug withdrawal treatment simply out of fear of the pain. It's an important step to take when looking for quality alcohol withdrawal in Fitchburg to ask about the pain control policy at each detox. In the best inpatient rehab facilities, specialists are on hand at all times to offer continuous monitoring and pain control. It's important to give patients the option if fear of pain is always on their mind.

Comfort is further enhanced through monitoring of hydration and nutritional imbalances. Benzodiazepine medications help calm the mind and induce sleep, antipsychotic medications can control delusions, hallucinations, and delirium.

At the best centers for treatment for drug withdrawal, doctors are experienced enough to use off-label drugs to help their patients. They look at their patients on a case-by-case basis and prescribe drugs such as Neurontin and Prozac. Neurontin works in some patients to help with cravings, and also with other symptoms such as insomnia and anxiety. Prozac is used sometimes to help patients feel better about themselves through the process.

Finding Excellent Medical Detox

Finding quality treatment for alcohol withdrawal in Fitchburg, as elsewhere, can be a challenge. Looking for a facility certified by CARF or the JC is a start. It's also important to go in and personally talk to the addiction experts available, and ask questions. When you find a quality treatment center, the path out of alcoholism becomes that much more certain. Call Fitchburg Drug Rehab Centers now for help (877) 804-1531.

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