Alcohol and Drug Withdrawal in Miami Gardens, FL

Addiction is a complex disease that involves alterations in brain chemistry, psychological cravings for feeling “high,” and the thoughts of escaping the stresses and woes of daily life. With these in mind, it’s no surprise that alcohol and drug withdrawal can cause symptoms that extend beyond mental cravings.

At Miami Gardens Drug Treatment Centers, we offer programs that treat alcohol and drug withdrawal not only in its most acute stages, but also as time progresses and a person begins their life again as a sober individual.

Why Do Withdrawal Symptoms Occur?

One of the hallmarks of a true drug and/or alcohol addiction is experiencing withdrawal symptoms when a person is no longer using the substance. These symptoms can range from flu-like to intense pain, nausea, and discomfort. When a person abuses drugs and/or alcohol, the brain is flooded with excess amounts of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine. This gives a very pleasurable sensation during the increase in neurotransmitters and a very “low” feeling when the neurotransmitters go away.

Over time, a person’s body becomes accustomed to these increases. A person has to start using more and more of a drug to experience the same “high.” And when a person decides to get clean and stop using a substance, the body has to get used to not having the substance present.  

How Does Medical Detox Help?

Sometimes the detoxification process can have deadly effects if a person isn’t medically monitored. This is especially the case for those in Miami Gardens who are going through alcohol withdrawals. According to WebMD.com, an estimated one to 5 percent of people withdrawing from alcohol abuse can die from a condition known as the delirium tremens or DTs. This condition causes symptoms such as confusion, rapid heartbeat, and extremely high body temperatures.

Treatments for alcohol detox include administering benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam (Ativan), a medication that reduces the incidence of seizures. These medications can also promote sleep.

Withdrawal from opioids, such as heroin, morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl, can cause effects such as nausea, vomiting, body aches, anxiety, sweating, and diarrhea. While these drugs aren’t likely to cause deadly side effects associated with withdrawal, they can still be unpleasant.

Stimulant abuse can cause withdrawals that lead to suicidal thoughts. This is why it is important for a person to receive medical supervision through the withdrawal process. Additional symptoms of stimulant withdrawal can include agitation, paranoia, and psychosis, when a person loses touch with reality. Although the U.S. Food & Drug Administration hasn’t approved any particular medications to treat stimulant withdrawals, sedatives and anti-depressants can help some patients.

Detox Is the First Step On Your Journey

Alcohol and drug withdrawal in Miami Gardens is just the first step to sobriety. Breaking the physical bonds of addiction enables a person to move forward with his or her life and learn to break the mental cravings for returning to substance abuse. While detox may be the first step, it’s one that has to happen for a person to become a sober individual.  

Alcohol and drug withdrawal is not an easy process to experience. At Miami Gardens Drug Treatment Centers, you don’t have to go through this process alone. Our area offers services that can help you overcome the physical withdrawal symptoms.