Alcohol Detox Programs in Fayetteville, Arkansas

Contact Time Wellness Detox today to learn more about our detox centers in Arkansas.

Understanding Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a mental health disorder that is characterized by a person’s inability to control their alcohol use, even when their drinking is clearly causing functional impairments and undermining their physical, mental, or social well-being.

The clinical term for this condition is alcohol use disorder. It also commonly referred to as alcohol addiction.

One of the defining symptoms of alcoholism is the onset of physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms when a person tries to end or significantly reduce their alcohol use. The cravings and other forms of distress that occur during withdrawal can make it extremely difficult for a person to stop drinking. In some cases, alcohol withdrawal can be a life-threatening experience. 

For those who have been unable to quit drinking, or who are at risk of incurring serious harm if they try to do so on their own, alcohol detox can be an ideal first step on their path toward a healthier future in recovery. 

How Do I Know if I Need Alcohol Detox?

According to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), 50%-80% of people who have alcohol use disorder will go through full withdrawal when they try to stop drinking. 

How can you know if you will be one of these people, or if your symptoms will be severe enough to warrant alcohol detox?

The unfortunate truth is that there’s no foolproof way to know ahead of time if you will go through withdrawal or how intense or dangerous your withdrawal symptoms will become.

But the likelihood that you will need detox may be higher if you:

• Have been drinking heavily for an extended period
• If you have multiple drinks every day
• If you have previous gone through withdrawal
• If you experience particularly painful symptoms soon after you try to stop drinking

The best way to know if you need alcohol detox is to be assessed at a reputable treatment center such as Time Wellness Detox. Completing a free assessment doesn’t commit you to enrolling in our Arkansas alcohol detox programs, but it does give you a better understanding of the risks you may face if you try to get through withdrawal on your own.

Is Alcoholism a Disease?

Even after decades of public education and awareness initiatives, some people still mistakenly believe that alcohol addiction is nothing more than a character flaw or evidence of poor self-control. This is simply not true.

Alcoholism is not a personal failing. Instead, it is a chronic, progressive disease:

• Chronic indicates that it is a lifelong condition. Treatment can help a person manage their symptoms, but it will not “cure” them.
• Progressive means that if a person doesn’t get effective help, their symptoms are likely to become more severe over time.

Experts sometimes use terms such as mental illness, brain disorder, and behavioral health condition to describe alcoholism. These terms reflect the widely accepted definition of alcohol addiction as a disease.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

As defined in the DSM-5, a person must meet at least two of the following 11 criteria to be accurately diagnosed with alcohol use disorder:

1. Having powerful cravings for alcohol or urges to drink
2. Frequently drinking more, or for a longer period of time, than originally intended
3. Spending a great deal of time acquiring and using alcohol, as well as recovering from its effects
4. Having a persistent desire to quit drinking and/or a history of failed attempts to stop
5. Not meeting responsibilities at home, in school, or at work because of alcohol use
6. Continuing to drink even after incurring physical or psychological harm that was either caused or worsened by prior alcohol use
7. Continuing to drink even after experiencing personal or social problems that were either caused or worsened by prior alcohol use
8. Using alcohol in circumstances that are especially hazardous, such as by combining it with other drugs or driving while impaired 
9. Limiting or ending participation in important activities because of alcohol use
10. Developing tolerance, or needing to consume larger amounts of alcohol in order to experience its effects
11. Developing physical and/or psychological withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop drinking

The DSM-5 also includes three severity specifiers based on the number of symptoms that a person has:

• Someone with two or three of the symptoms listed above would be classified as having mild alcohol use disorder
• Having four or five symptoms is defined as moderate alcohol use disorders
• The presence of six or more symptoms indicates severe alcohol use disorder

How Do Alcohol Detox Programs in Arkansas Work?

When a person enters an alcohol detox program in Arkansas or elsewhere, they typically begin by completing an assessment. This evaluation ensures that the members of their treatment team have an accurate picture of their health status and are aware of any concerns that could complicate the withdrawal process.

Throughout their time in detox, they will be in a closely supervised environment under the care of a team of experienced professionals. Depending on the type and intensity of their symptoms, they may receive medical and/or therapeutic support.

The process usually takes four to seven days, though the exact time a person needs to remain in alcohol detox will be determined by their symptoms and progress.

When the individual is ready to transition out of alcohol detox, their team will recommend appropriate follow-in treatment options.

Is Medical Detox for Alcohol Necessary?

Medical detox for alcohol withdrawal isn’t always necessary. But for those who need this level of care, it can literally be a life-saving service.

For some people, medication can alleviate distress. For others, especially those who develop delirium tremens (see next section for details), medical attention can be the difference between a difficult experience and a fatal one.

If a person tries to get through alcohol withdrawal on their own without proper medical oversight, and then begins to develop particularly troubling symptoms, it may be too late for them to get the help they need. 

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

Common physical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:

• Dilated (expanded) pupils
• Headache
• Excessive perspiration
• Fever
• Elevated heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Nausea
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Shakiness
• Insomnia

The psychological impact of alcohol withdrawal can often involve:

• Disorientation
• Anxiety
• Agitation and irritability
• Depression

A small number of people who go through alcohol withdrawal develop a particularly distressing set of symptoms known as delirium tremens (the DTs). This experience includes:

• Severe disorientation
• Auditor, visual, and/or tactile hallucinations
• Sensory disruptions
• Paranoia
• Combativeness
• Dangerously high body temperature
• Tremors
• Seizure

According to a May 2018 article in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology, research indicates that about 2% of people who become addicted to alcohol are likely to go through the DTs. 

Factors that can increase a person’s risk of delirium tremens include:

• Age (the DTs are more common among older patients)
• Elevated amount of daily alcohol consumption
• Having gone through alcohol withdrawal before
• History of alcohol-induced psychosis
• Co-occurring addiction to other substances
• Hypertension and certain medical conditions

Without proper medical attention, the DTs can be fatal. But when a person gets effective care, the risk of death is significantly reduced.

How Long Does Alcohol Detox Last?

Alcohol detox typically lasts about four to seven days:

• The first symptoms of alcohol withdrawal usually begin to appear within 12-24 hours after a person’s last drink.
• Once symptoms begin to occur, they often increase in scope and severity over the next 48-72 hours (two to three days).
• Once symptoms have peaked, they should begin to slowly subside over the next few days.

This timeline is just a general estimate, of course. The actual amount of time that a person spends in alcohol detox can be influenced by factors such as:

• The amount and frequency of their past alcohol abuse
• The type of symptoms they develop
• If they have any medical or mental health concerns
• If they have previously gone through alcohol withdrawal before 

What to Expect During Alcohol Detox

Features of alcohol detox programs in Arkansas include:

• You will be in a safe, closely supervised treatment environment where you won’t have access to alcohol or other addictive substances.
• Your care will be provided by a team of experienced professionals who are familiar with all aspects of the recovery process and prepared to address any contingencies that may occur.
• You may receive prescription medication to safeguard your health and alleviate certain symptoms.
• You may take part in various forms of therapy to help you manage your symptoms and begin to build a foundation for long-term recovery.
• Before you transfer out of detox, your treatment team will recommend the follow-on treatment options that align most closely with your needs and goals.

Recommended: Supplements for Alcohol Withdrawal

Does Insurance Cover Alcohol Detox?

Most major insurance plans cover alcohol detox and other types of addiction treatment. However, the specifics of this coverage can vary depending on the language in each person’s policy.

Before you begin treatment at Time Wellness Detox, we can help you review your policy and get answers to any questions that you have about paying for care. With your permission, we can coordinate directly with your provider to determine the extent of your coverage.

More on Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

• How To Spot an Alcoholic Face