Alcohol is both physically and psychologically addictive, meaning that it can lead to painful and potentially life-threatening alcohol detox symptoms. Alcohol detox symptoms can begin within hours of your last drink and last for several days, which is why it is important to reach out to teen rehab programs in Los Angeles, CA if you or your teen is abusing alcohol. Alcohol is the most commonly abused psychoactive substance in the United States. As many as 80% of high schoolers have tried alcohol at least once, making it more popular among teens than nicotine and marijuana. Alcohol also plays a role in more than 4,300 deaths each year among Americans under the age of 21. The prevalence of binge drinking among teens is also dangerous, as consuming large amounts of alcohol can cause alcohol poisoning.
Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol is a type of central nervous system depressant that causes your brain to release a rush of GABA. GABA is a neurotransmitter that induces relaxing and calming thoughts, feelings and emotions. When the effects of alcohol intoxication wear off, your brain is suddenly depleted of GABA, which can cause intense cravings. Alcohol, like other psychoactive substances, can change your brain’s pleasure and reward center and damage your neurotransmitter receptors. When you develop a dependency on alcohol, your brain can become dependent on alcohol in order to release GABA. Ethanol, which is the main active ingredient in alcohol, is lethal in large doses. Alcohol can also damage your liver and worsen co-occurring and comorbid conditions. Other dangers associated with alcohol abuse include:
- Memory loss
- Personality and mood changes
- Poor judgment
- Neurological damage
Once you become dependent on alcohol, you can deal with troubling signs of alcohol detox which typically require immediate treatment from teen rehab programs in Los Angeles, CA.
Alcohol Detox Symptoms
Signs of alcohol detox can begin within hours of your last drink and cause potentially life-threatening symptoms. Two of the most serious alcohol detox symptoms include delirium tremors and seizures. Delirium tremors can cause:
- Hallucinations
- Confusion
- Psychosis
- Changes to your breathing and heart rate
- Body temperature changes
Other common alcohol detox symptoms include shakes, tremors, sweats, nausea, and insomnia. Alcohol detox symptoms can make it difficult to remain sober during early recovery without help. The best way to avoid serious alcohol detox symptoms is to attend an alcohol abuse treatment center or detox program. Treatment centers utilize medications to limit the severity of alcohol detox symptoms, which makes the withdrawal process more comfortable and less stressful. While alcohol detox symptoms typically improve within a week, it is important to complete an inpatient or outpatient treatment program to ensure that you have the tools, support, and guidance necessary to fully recover.
Finding Help Today
If you or your teen struggle with a drinking problem or alcoholism, finding treatment is the first step in the recovery process. Treatment programs can make sure that your alcohol detox symptoms are controlled and monitored, drastically improving your chances of achieving long-term sobriety. If you or a loved one has any questions about alcohol abuse or would like to discuss your treatment options, call us today at 877.466.0620.