Alcohol Detox and Addiction Recovery in Portland, Maine
At Liberty Bay Recovery Center, we offer safe ways to detox from alcohol, with licensed professionals supervising you every step of the way.
What Is Alcohol Withdrawal and Detox?
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is when a person can’t stop drinking or cut back even though they want to. AUD changes the brain, making it hard to stop drinking without help.
Detox at an alcohol rehab is the first step in treatment. Withdrawal symptoms begin shortly after you’ve had your last drink. Because they’re uncomfortable and often painful, they can cause people to drink again. That’s why alcohol detox centers in Maine, like Liberty Bay, are so important.
Some people try to quit “cold turkey” on their own without medical help. Without doctors nearby, you might have a health crisis that needs quick medical care. Our medical staff provides medications that help manage the risks of alcohol detox so you can get through it safely. After this hurdle, you can move on with treatment.
How Long Does Alcohol Detox Take?
The worst withdrawal symptoms usually last 24-72 hours, but medical detox typically takes 3-7 days. Withdrawal might be worse if:
- You’ve been drinking for more than 10 years
- You drink a lot of alcohol daily
- You’ve had withdrawal symptoms before
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Timeline
Alcohol withdrawal stages each have varying affecting factors, like duration of use and co-occurring disorders. For some symptoms, like post-acute withdrawal syndrome, the effects can even last months. Alcohol detox symptoms include:
Early Stage (First 24 hours)
- Feeling anxious
- Upset stomach
- Headaches
- Shaking
- Trouble sleeping
Middle Stage (24-72 hours)
- Higher blood pressure
- Fast heartbeat
- Fever
- Confusion
- Worse shaking
Severe Stage (After 72 hours)
A very severe addiction can lead to “delirium tremens,” or DT, which can be deadly. The delirium tremens timeline is most dangerous between days 2-5. Symptoms include:
- Very fast heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Extreme anxiety
- Bad headaches
- Severe shaking
- Being bothered by light
- Throwing up
- Feeling confused
What Helps With Alcohol Withdrawal?
Going through alcohol detox at Liberty Bay is much safer than trying to quit “cold turkey” at home. We offer holistic therapies like yoga, massage therapy, and meditation alongside evidence-based treatments. These complement our medical detox program for better outcomes.
Alcohol Withdrawal Medication
Our medication-assisted treatment for alcohol can include:
- Librium for alcohol withdrawal to calm anxiety and prevent seizures
- Phenobarbital for alcohol withdrawal when needed
- Gabapentin for alcohol withdrawal to help with nerve pain
- Anti-alcohol medication and medication to reduce alcohol cravings
Safe Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Maine
At Liberty Bay Recovery Center, you’ll start with an assessment for a customized treatment plan. We’re CARF accredited, ensuring quality care from our team of licensed nurse practitioners. During alcohol detoxification, we provide medication-assisted treatment with regular monitoring of your vital signs.
Alcohol Rehab Levels of Care
You have several options for ongoing treatment, from getting clean to maintaining support.
Medical Detox
In our medical alcohol detox program (usually 3-7 days), you’ll have 24-hour medical care.
Outpatient Alcohol Treatment
Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) gives more support than regular outpatient care but less than a PHP. Outpatient alcohol rehab lets you live at home and attend in-person or telehealth therapy sessions. This works for people with:
- Less severe addiction
- Strong support at home
- Work or family duties
- Previous inpatient treatment
Aftercare and Continued Support for Alcohol Recovery
After treatment, we offer continued in-person and virtual support through:
- Sober living homes
- 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous
- Regular check-ins
- Ongoing counseling
- Family therapy
Inpatient Alcohol Rehab
For those with severe addiction, our inpatient alcohol rehab near Maine provides around-the-clock support in a stable, drug-free place to recover.
We also offer a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) where you get daytime treatment and go home at night. This is a great option for less severe cases where individuals have commitments outside recovery.
Drug and Alcohol Counseling
At Liberty Bay, in-depth alcohol counseling and mental health therapy help you understand why you drink and learn healthier ways to cope. Our staff can address both mental health and alcohol use problems with dual diagnosis treatment. If needed, we can connect you with residential mental health facilities for more help.
Start Your Recovery With Liberty Today
At Liberty Bay Recovery Center, we provide safe, caring detox services to help you start your sober journey. If you notice signs of alcoholism in a loved one, be sure to reach out before attempting to cut out alcohol. Our team is ready to support you or your loved one through every step. Contact us and find your way to a fulfilling, sober life.
FAQs
What is CIWA?
The CIWA is a tool doctors use to check how bad your withdrawal symptoms are and decide what treatment you need.
Can alcohol withdrawal cause death?
Yes. Without medical help, severe alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures or heart problems that can be fatal.
How to safely detox from alcohol at home?
We don’t recommend trying to detox at home if you’ve been drinking heavily. The symptoms can be dangerous or even deadly. It’s safer to get medical help at a licensed center like ours.
What does alcohol detox cost?
Costs vary based on what treatment you need and what your insurance covers. Call us to check your insurance benefits.
What is thiamine for alcohol withdrawal?
Thiamine (Vitamin B1) is given during detox because alcohol depletes this vitamin. Without enough thiamine, you could develop serious brain problems.
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