List of Additional Resources
Unfortunately, there are not any medical detox centers for alcohol addiction located in South Dakota. To help you find the treatment you need, we have included additional services in the surrounding area. While this may be inconvenient, being away from home can be therapeutic. Not being close to where someone is using drugs and alcohol can help focus on their recovery.
Commitment to Quality
Addicted.org's team of addiction professionals has over 100 years of combined experience in the field of substance use and addiction recovery. They use this experience when assessing each service listed in our directory. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any of the listings in our directory, you can contact the team directly at Communications@addicted.org. We will utilize your feedback to make any necessary updates to our list of services.
Ask a Professional
What type of drug is alcohol?
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. It slows respiration and brain function, impairing motor coordination and causing many other effects. Most notably, alcohol impairs judgment, and excessive drinking can cause heavy sedation and illness. Because of alcohol's toxic nature, the drug can also cause overdose and death.
How long does alcohol stay in your system?
Alcohol leaves the system rapidly, usually within 24 hours. This time frame depends on how heavily the person abused alcohol and the quality of their overall health. But the drug metabolizes rapidly, and within five hours, more than half of the alcohol consumed up to that point will have left the system.
How does alcohol affect the brain?
Alcohol triggers a release of dopamine and endorphins. Tolerance and dependence develop rapidly, eventually controlling the person's behavior through cravings and withdrawal symptoms, which can be deadly without medical intervention. Alcohol's ability to alter the brain's functioning makes it the second most used substance behind tobacco.
How do I determine if someone I know has a drinking problem?
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines "heavy drinking" as consuming more than four alcoholic drinks in a day or more than 14 drinks per week for men. For women, the threshold is consuming more than three drinks per day or seven weekly. When it comes to binge drinking, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration defines it as consuming five or more drinks on one occasion for men and four or more for women on at least one day per month. They also consider binge drinking on five or more days per month as heavy alcohol use.
How long does it take to withdraw from alcohol?
Withdrawal from alcohol can take anywhere from 5 days to two weeks. The length of time depends on an individual's age, how long they have been drinking, and how much. For heavy alcohol users that have been consuming alcohol for an extended period, alcohol withdrawal is a long process that requires medical supervision. Those who seek rehabilitation to handle their binge drinking may not need a medical detox if their body has not formed a physical alcohol dependence. Always err on the side of caution and consult a medical professional before starting alcohol withdrawal. Stopping alcohol cold turkey could be fatal.
The questions from Addicted.org's "Ask a Professional" are answered by Michael Leach, CCMA. If you need further clarification on any of the questions above or have any other questions you can contact him directly at M.Leach@Addicted.org.
What's Next?
After completing an alcohol detox and/or rehab in South Dakota, it is vital to arrange aftercare support. No one form of recovery support is the same for each person. Sober coaches, group meetings, outpatient programs, or sober living homes in South Dakota all offer excellent recovery opportunities to consider. The goal is to maintain life-long sobriety.
