The effects of alcohol abuse can have severe consequences on your life; however, many people hesitate to quit drinking. A primary reason for this hesitancy is to avoid withdrawal symptoms. It is no secret that quitting alcohol brings about unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can lead to life-threatening issues without proper medical help.
That being said, inpatient detox is vital to the recovery process as it allows you to enter alcohol rehab with a healthy body and clear mind. For this reason, alcohol detox close to the Nashville, Lebanon, Hendersonville, Gallatin, and Franklin, Tennessee areas offer helpful solutions, such as medication-assisted treatment, that allow the detox process to proceed smoothly and safely.
What is Alcohol Detox?
Alcohol detox is the process of returning to a pre-addiction state. As a result of alcohol abuse, your body and mind cannot function without alcohol. When you stop drinking, you need time to adjust to this change. Detox is the first step in recovery because you need to have a clear mind and healthy body to continue alcohol rehab.
During detox, your body rids itself of the harmful toxins introduced through alcohol abuse. However, your body will react to this sudden change with withdrawal symptoms. Inpatient detox services help you safely manage these withdrawal symptoms.
What to Expect During Alcohol Detox in Nashville
During inpatient alcohol detox, you are kept stable in a comfortable and secure place. Additionally, Detox Nashville offers medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with specific medications to ease withdrawal symptoms and lessen cravings. These medications include:
- Benzodiazepines can help you sleep, reduce anxiety, and treat muscle spasms.
- Naltrexone helps reduce cravings for alcohol. It can also help prevent relapse by inhibiting the effects of alcohol.
- Acamprosate reverses some of the damage alcohol can cause to your brain, returning chemical imbalances to stable levels. It also helps to manage cravings, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and restlessness during detox.
- Disulfiram produces negative side effects if you drink alcohol during detox to prevent relapse. These side effects include nausea, headache, weakness, and facial flushing.
Detox Nashville also provides holistic therapies to help individuals heal their minds, bodies, and souls. This comprehensive approach to treatment gives patients a healthy distraction during detox while teaching them valuable coping skills and promoting mindfulness. Holistic treatment includes yoga, massage therapy, meditation, acupuncture, aromatherapy, manual lymphatic drainage, and proper nutrition.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Alcohol detox causes painful withdrawal symptoms as well as intense cravings, making the process unpleasant. These symptoms range in severity, some even causing seizures and delusions. Therefore, a care team will work with you throughout detox for symptom relief and assure your safety.
Common withdrawal symptoms associated with detox include:
- Shakiness
- Excessive perspiration
- Loss of appetite
- Changes in sleep habits
- Disorientation
- Agitation and irritability
- Anxiety and depression
- Vomiting and nausea
- Fatigue
- Nervousness
- Delusions and hallucinations
- Headaches
- Seizures
- Mood swings
Alcohol Abuse in Nashville, TN
Nashville, Tennessee is home to a robust music scene and some of the nation’s most delicious comfort food. Unfortunately, these charms do not mean that the city is immune to the devastating effects of alcohol abuse affecting Tennessee. Alcohol is the state’s most widely misused substance with 5% of residents dependent on or abusing alcohol.
Harmful, even fatal, consequences can stem from alcohol issues. For instance, in Tennessee, almost 30,000 individuals were arrested for drinking and driving in 2016—putting countless lives at risk. The prevalence of drinking has also impacted the state’s youth. Reports conducted in 2018 concluded that the average age individuals started drinking in Tennessee was 14 with 20% of high schoolers participating in binge drinking.
These haunting statistics put the state’s need for alcohol abuse treatment into perspective. Detox Nashville, located in Nashville Tennessee, offers both alcohol and drug detox programs to help those with substance use disorders get and stay sober.
Ready to Escape Addiction? Let’s get started.
Detox Nashville is a premier leader in the provision of addiction treatment services. If you or someone you love is in need of professional care to address a substance use disorder, reach out to us right now at (615) 845-4747 to speak with an admissions specialist who can get you started on the road to recovery.
Alcohol Misuse vs Abuse
The terms alcohol misuse and alcohol abuse are often used interchangeably. However, there is a difference between both. Ultimately, the difference comes down to the amount a person drinks and the frequency of their drinking.
The following gender-specific guidelines can differentiate between alcohol abuse and alcohol misuse:
- Alcohol abuse: Consistently having 5 or more alcoholic beverages in a day for men and 3 or more in a day for women.
- Alcohol misuse: Consistently having 2 or more alcoholic beverages in a day for men and 1 alcoholic beverage per day for women.
If you are unsure whether or not you have a drinking problem, reach out to Detox Nashville. Our compassionate team members are happy to conduct an assessment and answer any questions or concerns you might have.
Can I Detox from Alcohol at Home?
Alcohol detox is associated with severe withdrawal symptoms. As a result of the dangerous nature of these side effects, it is crucial to detox with professional support and not at home alone. Our detox facility in Nashville, Tennessee provides 24/7 monitoring in a secure and structured environment. This allows qualified and compassionate staff members to maintain your stability and comfort throughout detox.
Complications that can result from detoxing alone at home include:
- Dehydration
- Severe stomach problems
- Heart complications
- Depression and anxiety
- Liver or kidney issues
- Seizures
- Hallucinations/delusions
- Aspiration pneumonia
Individuals who detox at home are also at a higher risk for relapse. This risk stems from the fact you won’t have medication or support when you detox alone at home. In addition, an inpatient facility will shield you from relapse triggers and access to alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms and cravings become very intense without medication or medical support. Therefore, you might become overwhelmed and resume drinking to avoid these symptoms.
How Long Does Alcohol Detox in Nashville Last?
The duration of detox depends on the individual, the amount of alcohol they consume, and how frequently they consume it. Also, it is worth noting that detox is only the first step on a person’s path to recovery. Further addiction treatment is an essential component of relapse prevention.
The majority of our patients have alcohol withdrawal symptoms for 2 to 8 days. However, many individuals remain in detox for 7 to 14 days to assure their safety before moving to the next steps in rehab. Generally, alcohol withdrawals adhere to the following timeline:
- Stage 1 (mild): These symptoms usually occur 6 to 12 hours after a person’s last drink. Common symptoms include headaches, anxiety, sleep disturbances, tremors, and an upset stomach.
- Stage 2 (moderate): These symptoms start within 24 hours. Previous symptoms are still present along with irregular breathing, disorientation, high blood pressure, and increased heart rate.
- Stage 3 (severe): These symptoms typically begin after 24 to 72 hours. Symptoms peak in this stage and include flawed judgment, delusions, hallucinations, and seizures.
- Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms (PAWS): PAWS refers to specific withdrawal symptoms that can persist for weeks or months after detox. Though these symptoms are typically manageable, they are uncomfortable. Sleep disturbances, anxiety/depression, cravings, and heightened trigger sensitivity are common for those with PAWS.
Do Insurance Companies Cover Detox Services?
We work with insurance providers like BlueCross Blue Sheild, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare to make our detox services as accessible as possible. However, it is important to note that the exact cost of detox in Nashville depends on what the insurance plan covers. Additionally, we invite you to reach out to us to learn more about our payment plan options.
When considering the costs associated with recovery, it is crucial to remember that addiction treatment is an investment—one with lifelong rewards. Getting yourself or a loved one sober is priceless.
Alcohol Detox in Nashville, TN
It is time to stop drinking and start healing. Our team at Detox Nashville understands how daunting attending alcohol detox in Nashville might seem, but we will keep you safe and comfortable throughout every step of this rewarding process. We’re here to help you work towards the better and brighter future you deserve. Call today or complete our contact form to get started.
