Drug and alcohol abuse can cause permanent changes in your brain that can affect concentration, memory retention, and other vital functions. The brain in recovery is chemically imbalanced and unable to communicate properly with your body. This can lead to depression, anxiety, and strong cravings for more drugs or alcohol. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction and wants to quit, a recovery program is a safe and effective way to beat addiction with fewer risks of relapse and overdose.
At Evoke Wellness in Coconut Creek, our accredited treatment center works with men and women who are struggling with addiction and ready for a positive change. We combine evidence-backed behavioral therapy with medical support for a well-rounded recovery experience. Patients are able to focus on their recovery instead of being overwhelmed by the painful and sometimes deadly withdrawal symptoms that are common with addiction recovery. For more information about our drug and alcohol recovery program, please send us a message online or call 866.693.3871 today to speak with our knowledgeable team.
The Effect of Substances on the Brain
What happens to your brain in recovery? After abusing drugs or alcohol for an extended time, the brain is unable to send signals to your body to function normally. Neurotransmitters such as dopamine are unable to talk to the rest of the body without more of the substance you abuse. The chemicals in drugs and alcohol bind with cell receptors in the body and signal a massive release of dopamine. This is what causes intense euphoria and is something your body can never reach on its own.
The more you abuse, the more your body will come to depend on the substance. When you stop using, your body can’t return to normal until the toxins are gone. During this time, you will experience mild to severe withdrawal symptoms and cravings that can last several weeks to months in severe cases. Common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Stomach cramping
- Trembling
- Muscle and joint pain
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Other serious medical conditions
At Evoke Wellness, we know how dangerous detoxing can be and provide patients with a safe and supervised space to break the cycle of addiction and begin to focus on healing. We offer detox and residential treatment programs where patients can regroup, recharge, and recover.
What Happens to The Brain in Recovery?
During the recovery process, it can take several weeks for your body to cleanse itself from all of the toxins you’ve been ingesting. The longer the abuse, the more severe the withdrawals and cravings will be. Your brain will do everything it can to get you to continue abusing, convincing you that the only help you need is with more drugs or alcohol.
Here is what happens to your brain in recovery:
- The first 48 hours – The first few days after stopping will involve a steady increase in withdrawal symptoms. The first 6-8 hours after coming down may feel normal, but some symptoms will begin to appear. Common withdrawal symptoms during this stage include mild to medium cravings, trembling, headache, nausea, insomnia, and anxiety. Between 24-48 hours, additional symptoms such as hallucinations and seizures can occur.
- 48-72 hours – Between days two and three, symptoms will continue to worsen as well as more powerful cravings. Symptoms typically peak around 72 hours and can be fatal. Additional symptoms during this stage include seizures, high blood pressure, increased heart rate, paranoia, seizures, and delirium tremens.
- 96+ hours – Around day four, symptoms will begin to diminish as the last of the toxins are cleansed. You are on the backside of withdrawals, and most symptoms will disappear completely. In severe cases of addiction, the damage caused by the abuse is permanent, and patients will need a lifetime of medical and mental health support.
The brain in recovery is in a state of change and will cause dangerous symptoms that can be eased by using medications as part of an addiction recovery program. Patients will attend regular therapy sessions while participating in medication-assisted treatment.
Learn More About Our Recovery Program at Evoke Wellness
At Evoke Wellness in Coconut Creek, our treatment programs are tailored around each patient’s unique symptoms to create a beneficial recovery program that treats all aspects of the addiction. During admissions, we will perform a full assessment to determine the best treatment method for the severity of the addiction. Patients will participate in group and private therapy sessions using a combination of behavioral and holistic therapy.
To begin recovery and stop the abuse once and for all, call 866.693.3871 or fill out our online form today for more information about our drug and alcohol recovery program.
