According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, nearly 15% of veterans struggle with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) [1]. Many veterans struggle to transition back to civilian life after serving in the military, using substances to cope with trauma, PTSD, and chronic stress. Alcohol is particularly a problem because drinking is often normalized in military culture, used as a way to bond and cope.
However, the consequences of alcohol abuse can be detrimental, damaging both physical and mental health. Many want to quit, but alcohol withdrawal can be painful, uncomfortable, and even life-threatening. This is where medically supervised detox comes in.
Taking the step to undergo detox from alcohol is a brave decision, as withdrawal can be challenging. Understanding what to expect in the process and coping skills to get through it can help veterans and active-duty military members move forward in their healing journey.
How Alcohol Affects the Brain and Body
Alcohol can be toxic to the brain and body, especially in high amounts. Excessive drinking can damage key regions of the brain, including the hippocampus (memory center), the amygdala (fear center), and the prefrontal cortex (the emotional and executive functioning command center). Alcohol can also affect liver function, digestion, cardiovascular health, and even increase the risk of Alzheimer’s [2].
Alcohol and the Brain [3]:
- Increases GABA activity: Alcohol enhances the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA, which slows brain activity, leading to sedation and relaxation. However, withdrawal from GABA can be dangerous, causing confusion, flu-like symptoms, and even seizures.
- Inhibits glutamate function: Alcohol suppresses excitatory neurotransmitters known as glutamate, causing impaired cognition, memory loss, and blackouts.
- Triggers dopamine release: Excessive drinking causes excess dopamine. This can change reward pathways, reinforcing behavior and the cycle of addiction.
Alcohol and the Body [4]:
- Impaired Liver Function: Excessive drinking increases inflammation in the liver and can lead to cirrhosis (death of healthy liver tissue and scarring).
- Damage Cardiovascular Health: Alcohol abuse can increase blood pressure, arrhythmia, and the risk of heart attack or stroke.
- Chronic Digestive Issues: Alcohol abuse erodes the stomach lining, causing problems such as acid reflux, ulcers, and alcohol-induced gastritis.
Understanding What Detox Is and Its Importance
Alcohol detox is the process of removing alcohol and any other harmful or potentially toxic substances from the body. Medically supervised detox, such as at Miramar Health, provides around-the-clock care, monitoring veterans and active-duty military personnel withdrawing from alcohol.
The first step to recovering from Alcohol use disorder is detox. This helps individuals achieve physical stability and lays a foundation for long-term healing to occur. It’s important to detox at a licensed treatment center to ensure safe, comfortable, and successful withdrawal.
Psychological and Physical Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
One of the reasons it is highly recommended to detox at a facility is that the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be painful, intense, and sometimes even life-threatening. They affect both psychological and physical health.
| Psychological | Physical |
| Anxiety, nervousness, fear | Headache, migraine |
| Mood swings, depression, hopelessness, and in some cases, suicidal thoughts | Muscle and joint pain, tension, and general fatigue |
| Irritability or aggression | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn |
| Confusion, disorientation | Poor appetite or inability to sleep |
| Paranoia, delusions, hallucinations | Heart palpitations, sweating, shaking |
| Intense cravings for alcohol | In severe cases, Delirium Tremens (DTs) causes disorientation, confusion, hallucinations, and seizures |
Best Way to Detox from Alcohol
The medically recommended way to detox from alcohol is to go to a licensed detox facility and participate in an official alcohol detox program. Although some substances can be detoxed from at home (e.g., nicotine), alcohol carries significant risks that may require immediate medical attention.
The Dangers of Alcohol Detox at Home
Detoxing at home can cause severe and potentially life-threatening symptoms. This is due to several reasons, including [5]:
- Severe and painful alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as hallucinations, confusion, nausea, muscle pain, and delirium tremens (DTs) can make it nearly impossible to detox without medical intervention. This can also increase the risk of relapse due to unmanaged physical discomfort and emotional distress.
- Lack of medical supervision means that vital signs, such as heart rate and blood pressure, are not monitored. This can increase the risk of complications such as seizures, heart attack, or stroke.
- Isolation and lack of psychological support can increase anxiety, depression, or other distressing symptoms that accompany alcohol withdrawal.
How to Prepare for Detox
Preparing for detox means understanding what to expect when you enter detox and what comes after to support your long-term recovery.
When Do Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Start?
Alcohol withdrawal can start in as little as 6 to 12 hours just after the last drink, and sometimes even less for chronic long-term drinkers. They may start to feel irritable, anxious, or a bit nauseous, which often leads them to pour another drink.
Initial Phase: First 6–12 Hours
Headache, anxiety, insomnia, changes in appetite, irritability or aggression, sweating or tremors may begin, and confusion or paranoia may start within 12-24 hours
Acute Phase: Days 1-3
This is considered the peak or the worst of the symptoms. DTs are most common to develop during this phase, and there is the highest need for medical intervention.
Post-Acute Phase: 4-7 Days and Beyond
Intense physical symptoms begin to subside, although you may still feel queasy, tired, or fatigued. Depression, anxiety, cravings, and other psychological symptoms can last for months
Long-Term Healing for Alcohol Addiction
After detox, it’s essential to participate in a long-term treatment program that addresses underlying military trauma, mental health problems, isolation, or a lack of support that is driving addiction.
Evidence-Based Therapies
Managing symptoms of addiction and withdrawal is only the first step of the healing journey. A clinical team of trauma-sensitive, military-informed therapists leads our evidence-based therapies. Some of the therapies we use to treat alcohol abuse disorder include:
- Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Neurofeedback
- Family Therapy
Alcohol Relapse Prevention Plan
Alcohol abuse disorder requires ongoing care to prevent relapse and develop the skills and strengths for long-term recovery. At Miramar Health, we support our veterans from start (detox) to finish (aftercare) to reduce the risk of relapse, help them transition back to their communities, and continue their recovery journey.
Our alcohol relapse prevention plans support veterans and active-duty military with:
- Ongoing substance abuse counseling and evidence-based mental health therapies
- Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- Trauma-informed care
- Flexible outpatient treatment
- Peer support groups
- Case management services
- Integrated wellness activities
- Active alumni network
Coping Skills for Addiction Recovery: Sustained Sobriety
Throughout treatment, we work with individuals to develop positive strategies to cope with triggers, resist cravings, and manage stress. Some positive coping skills we encourage those in alcohol abuse treatment to implement in their daily lives include:
- Stay busy with healthy activities and fill your time with hobbies, exercise, or staying social with family or friends.
- Manage stress with techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, mindfulness, and journaling.
- Attend peer support groups, connect regularly with supportive friends or family, or meet with a sponsor to build a reliable support system.
- Practice healthy communication such as learning to express emotions effectively and clearly to reduce conflict and strengthen relationships.
- Celebrate the little wins in progress and recovery. Use positive reinforcement to acknowledge milestones.
- Prioritize self-care such as sleeping enough, eating healthy, and getting regular exercise.
- If you have an urge to drink, find functional alternatives such as self-massage, taking a hot relaxing shower, or getting creative and making a mocktail.
Why Veterans Need Personalized Help
Veterans and active-duty military have unique experiences that most US civilians simply cannot relate to. Veterans carry an increased risk of challenges such as combat trauma, operational stress, moral or ethical dilemmas, estrangement from families due to living overseas, difficulty reintegrating into civilian life, and military sexual trauma.
At a veteran-owned and operated center like Miramar Health, we understand these experiences and strive to tailor treatment interventions specifically for veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their loved ones. Our specialized care benefits veterans in several ways, including:
- Military Trauma-Informed: Our team of therapists and staff understands specific kinds of military trauma, with many having served themselves.
- Holistic Approach: We approach addiction and mental health together, understanding how they influence each other. Our blend of holistic healing activities, such as yoga, art therapy, music therapy, and physical fitness, focuses on all aspects of healing to treat both substance abuse and mental health challenges.
- Reducing Stigma: Veteran-specific therapies provide a safe space for sharing experiences, developing positive coping skills, and connecting with others who understand the unique challenges of recovery.
- Peer Support: Veteran rehab centers and treatment programs help former military personnel connect with others who have faced similar challenges. This fosters a sense of camaraderie, community, and accountability.
Contact Miramar Health: Get the Help You Deserve
Miramar Health is a veteran-owned and operated recovery program exclusively serving veterans. Our mission is to free veterans from America’s mental health and addiction crisis and to empower them to create a better future for themselves and their families.
We understand the complex nature of trauma and offer individualized treatment options that are specific to veterans. Take the first step to your recovery. You’re not alone. Reach out to our Admissions team today.
Sources
[1] Back, E. et al. (2017). Substance use disorders in military veterans: prevalence and treatment challenges. Substance abuse and rehabilitation, 8, 69–77.
[2] Alcohol and the risk of dementia. 2024. Alzheimer’s Society.
[3] Banerjee N. (2014). Neurotransmitters in alcoholism: A review of neurobiological and genetic studies. Indian journal of human genetics, 20(1), 20–31.
[4] Alcohol’s Effects on the Body. 2025. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
[5] Newman, K. et al. 2024. Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome. National Library of Medicine.