Alcohol Detox Boston

Substance abuse is rarely a choice, but asking for help with rehab is. Since no drug or alcohol addiction is the same, no treatment plan should be either. It’s important to make sure you are getting the right treatment to address your unique situation. At Landmark Recovery, our alcohol detox center, conveniently located in the Boston area, offers a variety of residential and outpatient alcohol detox treatment options to help you get on the path to recovery.

Alcohol Abuse in Massachusetts

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 3.6 million Massachusetts residents aged 12 and over currently drink alcohol, representing 62% of the state’s population. Alcohol is the most widely abused drug in Massachusetts, with around 30% of Massachusetts residents reporting past-month binge drinking (defined by the consumption of five or more drinks on the same occasion), ¹ and nearly 8% of Massachusetts residents reporting heavy drinking (defined as the consumption of more than 60 drinks in the past month). ²

Underage drinking and alcohol abuse is a significant public health concern among Massachusetts’ student population. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 31% of high school students currently drink alcohol, 16% have engaged in binge alcohol use within the past month, and 56% have drank alcohol at least once in their lifetime. ³

It is estimated that 1 in 15 Massachusetts residents currently struggles with alcohol addiction. ¹ During the last year there were 27,356 admissions to Massachusetts substance abuse treatment facilities related to alcohol addiction, accounting for more than one third of all admissions in 2019. ⁴ Unfortunately, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimates that less than 1 out of 10 Massachusetts residents in need of alcohol rehab or alcohol detox actually receive any form of rehab treatment for their addiction. ¹

Alcohol Detox Center  in Boston

The first, and often most difficult, step in alcohol abuse recovery program is detox. This is the process by which the body flushes out all traces of alcohol from your system, giving your body and mind time to adjust to functioning without alcohol before the start of rehab therapy. Given the severity of potential health complications resulting from this process, detoxing should never be attempted at home. A professional alcohol detox center can provide the care you need is a safe and supportive environment.

Alcohol Withdrawal

Many patients undergoing alcohol detox treatment will experience withdrawal, a dangerous set of symptoms that occurs when someone stops consuming alcohol after a period of heavy and prolonged drinking. ⁵ Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal generally appear 6 to 24 hours after a patient’s last drink, with the most painful symptoms typically subsiding within the first week. Rehab patients may experience physical or psychological Alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which may include:

• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Agitation
• Restlessness
• Sleep difficulties
• Headaches
• Trembling of the hands and arms
• Sweating
• Elevated pulse and blood pressure
• Nausea and vomiting
• Increased sensitivity to sounds and light
• Fever

Medical detox

Depending on the nature of your alcohol abuse, you may be able to safely complete a detox program on an outpatient basis with regular monitoring by a medical professional. Individuals who developed alcohol dependence should enter a medical detox program at an inpatient alcohol detox center where doctors can properly manage their withdrawal symptoms. Medical detox should be strongly considered if you meet criteria such as: ⁷

• History of significant withdrawal symptoms
• History of withdrawal seizures or delirium tremens
• Participation in multiple past detox programs
• Co-occurring medical or psychiatric disorders
• High levels of recent drinking
• Lack of reliable support network
• Pregnancy

Landmark Recovery’s detox center in the Boston area provides medical detox services that allow you to recover in a safe and secure environment. Our clinical specialists provide expert care and around-the-clock monitoring, ensuring that you remain safe and comfortable throughout the entire detox process. While undergoing treatment at our Boston alcohol detox center, you will be closely watched for potential withdrawal complications such as delirium tremens, a life-threatening condition characterized by confusion, hallucinations, shaking, shivering, irregular heart rate and pressure, and excessive sweating.

Alcohol Detox Medications

Various medications may be administered during alcohol detox and rehab treatments to help manage the cravings and negative symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. ⁶

• Benzodiazepines can treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizures associated with alcohol withdrawal.
• Antipsychotic medications can be given to counteract hallucinations that may be experienced during severe cases of delirium tremens.
• Beta blockers and adrenergic medications can help control the rapid heartbeat and high blood pressure associated with alcohol withdrawal.
• FDA-approved alcohol addiction medications (acamprosate, naltrexone, and disulfiram) can be prescribed to reduce cravings and treat certain symptoms of withdrawal.
• Other medications used to treat withdrawal symptoms include anti-seizure medications, barbiturates, calcium channel antagonists, and anti-nausea medications.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Alcohol detox is not a form of addiction treatment, and participation in a treatment and recovery program following the alcohol detox process will be needed to sufficiently address the underlying addiction. Landmark Recovery of Boston offers personalized, comprehensive inpatient and outpatient alcohol addiction treatment that is tailored to meet the specific needs of every client. Our alcohol rehab programs feature a variety of evidence-based therapies that include individual and group counseling, medication-assisted treatment, peer support groups, and proven behavioral therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, and contingency management interventions. ⁸

How Can I Get More Information?

If you or a loved one is struggling with drug or substance abuse and more specifically alcohol addiction in Boston, we are here to help. Landmark Recovery’s alcohol detox program can help you get through withdrawal safely and comfortably. Please call our Boston area detox center at 978-619-8073 to learn more about the alcohol detox process and our residential and outpatient treatment.