Alcohol is legal to drink for people of age in this country, and relatively easy to obtain even before the legal age is reached. It’s a drug that is, in fact, extremely habit-forming and dangerous. There are numerous alcohol-related fatalities each year and the number of people whose lives and relationships are negatively affected is even larger. It’s therefore very important to understand the impact of alcohol and be able to identify the signs of alcohol poisoning.
Recovering from alcohol use disorder on your own can be extremely challenging and even dangerous, so remember that professional help is just a phone call away. If you’re looking for a highly effective San Antonio area alcohol rehab center, contact The Right Step Hill Country today. Our caring staff is available to talk to you at 1.844.675.1628 or by online message.
What Are the Signs of An Alcohol Overdose?
While alcohol carries serious long-term health risks such as liver cirrhosis, reduced bone mass, depression, and breast cancer, its short-term effects can also be nothing short of deadly. An alcohol overdose occurs when blood-alcohol content reaches a level that shuts off the brain’s ability to manage basic life-support functions. These vital functions include heart rate, breathing, and body temperature. Here are the primary signs that an alcohol overdose is occurring and emergency medical help is immediately necessary:
- Vomiting
- Loss of normal responses such as the ability to gag and prevent choking
- Confusion or stupor
- Inability to wake up after becoming unconscious
- Seizures
- Slow or irregular breathing, especially if there are fewer than eight breaths per minute or 10 seconds or more between each breath
- Damp, clammy skin
- Very low body temperature, sometimes accompanied by pale or bluish skin
What Happens in an Alcohol Rehab Center?
Clearly, alcohol overdose represents a very serious situation and one that strongly suggests that formal treatment is needed. In an alcohol rehab center, you can reap several key benefits. Firstly, the rehab center will perform an assessment, allowing caregivers to personalize the treatment approach for maximum impact. Factors like personal and family history of substance abuse will be taken into account.
Next, you will enter the detox phase. This period is critical for long-term recovery since this is when the body rids itself of the short-term effects of alcohol and makes room for lasting healing to occur. Withdrawing from alcohol can be far from easy and may bring on temporary symptoms like trembling, insomnia, and even seizures or hallucinations. For this reason, it’s much safer to undergo detox in a treatment center where healthcare providers can monitor your vitals, ensure you’re getting adequate nutrition, and provide pain management medication if necessary.
Once you’re free of the short-term effects of alcohol, the real work of recovery begins. In a qualified treatment program like Hill Country, you’ll undergo individual counseling that gives you the tools to confront the underlying causes for your substance use and better manage your triggers to drink going forward. Your counselor will be on the lookout for potential dual diagnoses. This means that an underlying mental health concern co-occurs with your substance abuse and treating both simultaneously may be key to avoiding relapse.
Finally, effective alcohol use disorder treatment typically includes group therapy of some kind. For some, a 12-step program in the style of Alcoholics Anonymous can be highly effective. Holistic approaches like music, art, or equine therapy can also be tremendously supportive in building community and encouraging full-body recovery and health in the treatment process.
Learn More About Getting Help for Alcohol Use Disorder at Hill Country Now
At Hill Country, we believe getting free from alcohol is 100% within your power as long as you’re committed to the journey. If you’re experiencing the signs of alcohol poisoning, we’re here to help at every step of the way, from detox, through counseling and group offerings, to aftercare and alumni programs. Call us at 1.844.675.1628 or reach out online to get started.