A common misconception is that a quick drink or a few glasses of red wine will do the trick and get rid of your hangover. However, this is not the case.
If you’ve decided to start on the path to sobriety with the help of an alcohol detox program, you’re more than likely feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about how to accomplish this challenging goal. The sooner you acknowledge these feelings, the better your plan will be in avoiding common pitfalls during alcohol detox.
Alcohol detoxing should not be rushed or taken lightly as it can damage your physical and psychological health if done incorrectly or without proper supervision by a medical professional.
To ensure that you are not making any common mistakes when undergoing an alcohol detox program, follow the tips discussed below to avoid any potential pitfalls:
Hiding Your Journey
Successful and long-lasting detox requires support. Self-isolation is the most detrimental mistake to make on your alcohol detox journey.
We are social creatures and adding loneliness to an already long list of alcohol withdrawal side effects decreases our ability to combat problems.
Isolating ourselves in a time of fear, danger, or need goes against our core values and hinders our ability to heal and advances negative mental health. That’s why the use of solitary confinement is viewed as a form of torture and has been documented as a cause of psychological trauma.
Isolating yourself on this important journey can hinder your ability to conquer the psychological effects of alcohol and encourage you to turn back to alcohol to cope with the newfound stresses of self-isolation.
Rushing Your Progress
To achieve success on your detox journey part of your focus should be coping with stresses and frustrations.
Alcoholism is an addiction that did not develop overnight, don’t try and fix it overnight. Trying to rush your detox will only increase feelings of stress and frustration making it even more difficult to achieve your goals and maintain that sobriety.
Set attainable goals at your pace, not someone else’s. As the turtle said to the rabbit, slow and steady wins the race. It’s important to focus on continuing to make progress, not the speed at which this is achieved.
Self-Shaming
Do not be ashamed for asking for help. Understanding that you’re struggling and seeking help are signs of strength and the first step to fighting that addiction.
Treatment centers are full of professionals to help you in a judgment-free zone. There is no shame in asking for help on this difficult journey.
Take some pride in the decision you’ve made to start on this journey and for the courage it took to face your addiction head-on and seek help.
Cold Turkey
Don’t make any rash decisions when you’ve decided to take this step. Many people think they can decide it’s over and stop drinking cold turkey. Quitting drinking is much safer than continuing to drink heavily but quitting cold turkey (all at once) throws your body out of balance.
The longer and more aggressive the drinking habit, the more out of balance your body can be.
Serious side-effects can take place during rapid detoxes like delirium tremens (DT), arrhythmias and heart attacks due to electrolyte imbalances, dangerously low levels of phosphate leading to weakness, coma, and stoppage of breathing functions, metabolic abnormalities that can affect heart and lung function, and alcoholic ketoacidosis.
There are important ways to make this detox journey safe and successful with professional help. This step should not be taken without seeking help from a medical professional.
Walking the Path Alone
Alcohol detoxification is not a task you want to attack on your own. While usually the first step on your journey, detox can be life-threatening due to the physical symptoms such as:
- Shaking
- Convulsions
- Hallucinations
- Restlessness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)
It’s important to seek help from a therapy treatment center like Ascendant NY for this week-long treatment to help not only with these physical symptoms but also the incredible emotional and psychological symptoms that accompany them.
You’ll need support beside you, encouraging you to stay on course and helping you not give in to the demands of your body.
Returning to Old Ways
Finishing your alcohol detox isn’t the only step. Immediately after your detox, returning to old ways and old friends will put you right back where you started.
It’s much easier to return to old habits if you return to socializing with other heavy drinkers. Without solid coping mechanisms, surrounding yourself with drinking will make it almost impossible to resist those strong urges and cravings.
Surround yourself with positive people and positive environments. Participate in social events at locations that are alcohol-free to reduce temptation.
Final Thoughts
Alcohol is a common problem, but you don’t have to face it alone. Alcohol detox is a challenging and often dangerous process that involves several physical and mental symptoms. While it is important to monitor your progress and work with a medical professional, when necessary, there are many success stories out there for people who have successfully overcome the effects of alcoholism and alcohol addiction.
Treatment centers like Ascendant NY, provide benefits and guidance for you to take advantage giving you a chance to break free from your alcohol addiction and start on a path toward a healthier, happier life. You’ll be supported through your recovery and open to exploring the triggers and beliefs that led you to make the unhealthy choice to drink. As you begin to heal, you can slowly but surely begin to put the pieces back into place and gain control of the life that you may have lost due to your addiction.
The most important thing to remember is that it’s never too late to start taking care of yourself. If you’re ready to take the first step towards a healthier life, contact an alcohol detox center to talk about your options.
