Alcohol withdrawal – how do you know when you’re going through it? It can be difficult to determine an addiction to alcohol vs. someone who likes to drink a lot, due to the social nature of drinking alcohol. A lot of people who drink excessively find themselves asking “what is alcohol withdrawal?”. Some people will even determine if they’re an alcoholic based on experiencing withdrawals when they stop drinking. The only person who can truly determine whether or not you are indeed suffering from alcohol addiction is yourself. 

If you are struggling with alcoholism, it’s important to detox at a professional facility to mitigate alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Keep reading to learn more about the signs of alcohol addiction and alcohol withdrawal. 

Signs of an Alcohol Addiction

Drinking alcohol isn’t necessarily bad. A lot of people are able to consume alcohol in “healthy” doses. But how do you know when you’ve made the switch from relaxing with a few drinks to  nursing an alcohol addiction?

There are many ways to determine if you are struggling with alcoholism. Certain questions you can ask yourself are “do I think I’m experiencing withdrawals?”, “how am I feeling & what are my symptoms?”. The most effective way is by checking your symptoms and matching them to the symptoms of alcohol addiction. 

Below are a few common symptoms of an alcohol addiction. Please note this isn’t a comprehensive list and addiction can look different for everyone:

• You experience a strong desire to drink alcohol
• Your drinking is affecting other parts of your life, like work, education, and family
• You stop fulfilling your daily responsibilities
• You try to stop drinking but can’t, even when you can see that it is affecting you negatively
• You need to drink more and more to achieve a feeling of euphoria 
• You spend more time drinking, drunk, or hungover than you do sober
• You behave aggressively, violent, or different when you are drunk
• You forgo previously interesting activities so that you can drink more
• You start hiding your drinking habit or how much alcohol you take 
• You feel nausea, sweating, and other withdrawal symptoms whenever you haven’t taken alcohol for a few hours

What Is Alcohol Addiction Like?

Alcohol addiction or AUD is a substance use disorder characterized by an impulsive consumption of alcohol despite its negative effects.  Below are hypothetical anecdotes that accurately portray certain peoples experience with alcohol use: 

“It’s funny how addiction works. Even when I was searching for ways to stop, I was still craving alcohol, and if someone had given me a 6-pack at that moment, I would have drunk it.” Even though he knew that he was addicted, it wasn’t enough to stop him because addicts can’t stop themselves.”

“Addiction just makes you helpless. You know this stuff is harming your health, hurting your loved ones, and damaging you. But you just can’t stop. It felt like alcohol owned me. It was my master, and whenever it called, I would answer even knowing that my actions were hurting the people who love me.”

What Are Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms (AWS) are symptoms you experience when you stop drinking alcohol. You may experience both mental and physical difficulties when you cut back on how much you drink. When the symptoms are mild, they can be difficult to spot. So, how do you know that you’re having withdrawals and not a bad hangover? 

Some alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:

• Nausea 
• Tremors 
• Sweating
• Mood Swings 
• Irritability 
• Fatigue 
• Hyperthermia 
• Insomnia 
• Seizures
• Psychosis 
• Hypertension 
• Hallucinations 
• Delirium Tremens 

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can easily escalate from mild to severe within hours, depending on how much alcohol you consume. This is why we strongly advise you not to handle your withdrawal symptoms alone.

Beat Alcohol Withdrawal at Hillside Mission

Hillside Mission is one of the leading addiction rehab facilities in Orange County, California. We know how uncomfortable alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be, and we effectively manage them in addition to offering diverse treatment options. Contact us today; let us help you overcome your addiction!  

Before seeking addiction treatment therapy, an addict may start their recovery journey at a detox facility. Detoxification is usually the first step to overcoming any drug or alcohol addiction, depending on the substance you’re addicted to. Detoxification generally has the reputation of being a demanding and sometimes difficult process. Unfortunately it’s just something an addict has to go through with. But like anything else in life, it’s not permanent. And with the help of trained medical professionals, it’s manageable. 

On the flip side, detoxing at home or somewhere that isn’t a professional facility is extremely dangerous. Some withdrawal symptoms can be fatal, as detox is known to trigger brutal withdrawal symptoms. Depending on what you’re addicted to, withdrawal symptoms can even be fatal. The chances of relapsing are also much higher when someone tries to detox on their own.

Because every person and addiction is different, it’s imperative to detox at a professional facility. Keep reading to find out why if you’re struggling with addiction, you should attend a drug detox facility. 

Dangers of Detoxing off Drugs or Alcohol Alone

• Severe Withdrawal Complications

According to a SAMHSA resource, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a person recovering from a drug addiction won’t feel better immediately after quitting drugs or alcohol. Rather than feel better, a person actually undergoes a series of withdrawal symptoms. Some of the mental and emotional symptoms can include anxiety, depression, and hallucinations.

If treated early at a drug detox treatment center, withdrawal symptoms will be minimized. However, if someone tries to manage these symptoms alone, they can potentially experience severe complications. 

• Benzodiazepines-Related Risks

Generally speaking, prescription pills can help treat mild withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety. Benzodiazepines, in particular, reduce withdrawal symptoms such as delirium tremens and seizures (withdrawal symptoms an alcoholic can potentially experience, depending on the severity of their addiction).

However, taking these drugs without a prescription from a doctor is very dangerous. It’s not uncommon for someone to detox alone and try to self medicate. Benzodiazepines are also extremely addictive and should only be taken in the care of a doctor. 

• Relapse

Because the process of detox can trigger withdrawal symptoms, the chances of relapse are much higher when someone tries to detox off drugs and alcohol alone. Withdrawal symptoms are physically and emotionally uncomfortable. The last thing any recovering addict wants is to be triggered to use again, while they’re trying to get off drugs. 

Benefits of Attending a Drug Detox Facility

• Safe Environment

The first step to overcoming a drug addiction is to seek treatment in a safe, calming environment. By attending a drug detox facility, you’ll receive support from nurturing and professional staff. At Hillside Mission, our clients are monitored 24/7 during their detox process to ensure their safety. Detoxing may seem like an intimidating process, but with the help of our staff, you will have any and all of your questions answered.

• Access to Medical Professionals

Professional drug detox facilities have medical staff onsite monitoring client vitals. Because your body will be going through physical changes during this time, it’s important to be under the care of a doctor. While most withdrawal symptoms are just uncomfortable, some can be fatal (this is completely dependent on what substances you’re addicted too). 

• Continued Care

When detoxing at a drug detox facility, you’ll be offered guidance on what to do next. If the facility you’re attending doesn’t have an inpatient treatment program, they’re most likely able to refer you to one. At Hillside Mission, you can begin our inpatient treatment program immediately after you’re done detoxing.

Detox at Hillside Mission

If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, please reach out to us today. We are a professional addiction treatment center specializing in detoxification, residential inpatient treatment, and aftercare services. We’re dedicated to helping all of our clients rid their body of drugs and alcohol, undergo therapy to gain insight into their addiction, and learn the right set of coping skills to help maintain long-term sobriety. 

Are you an addict or a recovering addict considering group therapy (also known as group psychotherapy)? If so, that’s great! This therapy comes with a lot of benefits. But before we delve into that, let’s talk about group therapy. 

For starters, ditch the group therapy idea from Hollywood movies. Why?

Hollywood’s group psychotherapies are all about glamour and fun fare. They are more of support groups like NA, Narcotics Anonymous, than group therapies. How so?

Do you remember Sandra Tancredi from Prison Break? If that’s old, how about Rue, from Euphoria?

The two ladies were both recovering addicts. They attended group meetings in a church – with coffee in hand. Everyone goes around the room and shares stories and personal experiences. This is called a support group. Similar to group therapy, but not the same. 

So, what then is exactly group therapy? What are the major benefits of group therapy? Hillside Mission encourages you to read on to find out.

What Is Group Therapy?

Group therapy is defined as treating a small group of patients together under the facilitation of one or more therapists. That way, patients can comfortably express themselves and accept criticisms too.

Group psychotherapy is common practice in addiction treatment and can prove helpful to your recovery goals. The initial thought of sharing your not-so-proud moments with a group of people can be intimidating, but there are incredible benefits to this type of addiction therapy.

While the NIH’s (National Institute of health) publication suggests that suicidal patients or patients suffering acute pain might be better suited for individual therapy and motivational interviewing, group therapy generally accommodates anyone suffering from addiction.

According to the American Psychological Association, the participants of a group therapy range from five to fifteen people. So, if you’re not comfortable being around a larger group, there are smaller group therapy options available. Now that you understand the basics, let’s discuss the major benefits of group therapy and its meetings.

Major Benefits of Group Therapy

A SAMHSA resource summarized the benefits of group therapies as follow:

• Isolated Reduced

No one should have to get sober alone. Joining or participating in group therapy can reduce the urge to isolate. More importantly, group meetings provide it’s attendees with hope. By seeing other people successfully recover from an addiction, you will feel like it’s also possible for you. During this time, you get the chance not only to break out of your shell but also interact with other people, not just a therapist.  

• Support

When battling an addiction, it’s common to feel alone and like no one understands you. During group therapy, you will hear other addicts’ experiences first hand. It can be quite comforting to know you aren’t the only person who did something ‘shameful’ or stole from someone you love to feed your addiction.

• It Boosts Communication and Social Skills

Group therapy often encourages recovering addicts in tasks that boost their mental and social skills. This way, attendees stay abridged of recent developments as they navigate their recovery in an environment of love.

How to Continue Group Therapy After Addiction Treatment

Group therapy is widely available for recovering addicts after they complete addiction treatment.  It’s even encouraged that anyone leaving addiction treatment continues with aftercare. Aftercare can take place in many shapes and forms. Some people attend support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Others continue with group and / or individual therapy. 

Whether you choose to do one of the options above, or a combination of more than one, your chances for relapse are way less likely when you work on your recovery every day. 

Get Help Today With Addiction at Hillside Mission

Hillside Mission is a world-class addiction treatment center located in Orange County, California. We offer detox, residential inpatient treatment, and comprehensive aftercare services. Contact us today to see how we can help you with your addiction!