Alcohol detox can be challenging, especially if you do it alone. You’ll need to clear your schedule and get support.
To reduce your discomfort during withdrawal, treatment professionals at a detox center will give you medication. Benzodiazepines like lorazepoxide (Librium) and diazepam (Valium) are commonly prescribed.
A healthy diet is also essential during alcohol detox. Eating nutrient-rich foods replenishes vitamin deficiencies, prevents extra work for the liver, and calms inflammation to speed up healing. Working with a doctor or nutritionist to formulate a diet suited to your body’s needs can make a huge difference when going through detox and recovery.
Reduces the Risk of Disease
Alcohol can interfere with the function of your liver, a 3.3-pound organ that filters harmful substances from your bloodstream. This can lead to fatty liver disease, which can cause liver failure and death. Drinking less alcohol can help protect your liver from damage.
Alcohol Detox San Diego helps you recover from the adverse effects of drinking on your body and mind. It can also reduce your risk of health problems in the future, including heart attacks and strokes.
The first step in alcohol detox is a medical assessment by a trained professional who will learn more about your drinking history and current health. They can recommend medication to alleviate withdrawal symptoms like nausea, shaking, and hallucinations. They can also help you avoid dangerous side effects like seizures and delirium tremens.
Boosts Your Immune System
Alcohol damages the body’s immune system by suppressing its ability to produce white blood cells, which fight bacteria and illnesses. Over time, this can lead to severe illnesses like tuberculosis and pneumonia.
Even one drinking episode can reduce your body’s germ-fighting power for up to 24 hours. This makes it harder to fight off colds and the flu.
Heavy drinking can also increase the risk of developing lung infections such as pneumonia, as it inhibits the body’s natural response to infection and may make symptoms last longer. It can also worsen urinary tract infections (UTIs). Alcohol detox helps boost the immune system by removing toxins from the body and eating healthy foods promoting good health. This includes eating a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and protein sources.
Improves Your Mental Health
Too much to drink can deplete brain chemicals that help you feel good. When you quit drinking, those chemicals return to normal levels and boost your mood. As a result, you’ll find that your stress level goes down, and you have more energy to focus on meaningful relationships at work and home.
Alcohol detox is essential, but it should be done under medical supervision. If you’re a long-term, heavy alcohol user, abrupt alcohol cessation can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms like seizures and hallucinations.
When you detox at an inpatient treatment facility, you’ll have around-the-clock care from a team of experts. They’ll monitor your withdrawal symptoms and administer medications to ease them as needed. This ensures you can safely complete detox and start your recovery journey.
Increases Your Energy Levels
It takes a lot of energy to manage the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. This is why many people who try to detox at home relapse and require professional treatment. Consider scheduling your detox with medical and psychological supports in place so that you have a better change at success.
A healthy diet can also help people who are struggling with alcohol withdrawal by increasing energy levels and stamina. While detoxing, the most essential foods include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These foods are rich in vitamins and minerals that may be depleted by heavy drinking.
Another great food to consume while recovering from alcohol addiction is canned soups and stews. These foods are easy to digest and provide the body with the energy it needs during recovery. As your energy levels increase during detox, you will notice other positive changes in your health and personal life.
It helps You Sleep Better
Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for a healthy lifestyle. But if you’re an alcoholic, alcohol can disrupt your sleep cycle and lead to fatigue and headaches. Alcohol detox helps your body find a natural rhythm and improves sleep quality.
Achieving better sleep can also help you feel more energized during the day. Sleeping well improves your ghrelin and leptin levels, hormones that regulate hunger and satiety. Sleeping better also allows you to enter REM, when your brain consolidates memories.
If you’re interested in alcohol detox, it’s best to do so with medical supervision. A treatment facility can provide around-the-clock care and medication to manage withdrawal symptoms. This is much safer than trying to self-detox from alcohol at home.
