Alcohol Detox Timeline – What to Expect
Written by SolutionPoint Behavioral Health
Alcohol is legal, highly prevalent, and widely promoted in American culture. Despite its accessibility, however, it is not an innocuous beverage. Alcohol is dangerous – and especially if you attempt to stop drinking after misusing it for a period of time. Detoxing in a professional medical facility is the best way to ensure your safety and success when quitting alcohol. If you’re ready to make the change, here’s what you can expect from the alcohol detox timeline.
How Alcohol Detox Works
Detoxing from alcohol may not take place until a person has reached rock bottom alcohol addiction. The timeline of alcohol detox varies, but the most uncomfortable physical symptoms typically begin to improve three to five days after the last drink.
At SolutionPoint, we monitor clients carefully during the entire alcohol detox timeline. A trained staff member will check on you twice an hour, 24 hours a day, throughout the early stages of detox.
Medication-assisted detox helps people feel better faster, which means they can actively participate in life-saving treatments sooner. The detox from alcohol timeline can vary from one client to the next, which is why our team members provide tailored solutions.
What Is Alcohol Withdrawal?
Alcohol withdrawal occurs when a person stops drinking after heavy or prolonged use. With long-term alcohol use, the brain slowly produces the chemical stimulants norepinephrine and serotonin to compensate for the depressant effect of alcohol.
When alcohol is no longer present, the brain must readjust to the the large amounts of chemical stimulants in the absence of a sedative. Most of the symptoms improve within a few days, but some people experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS).
PAWS symptoms begin to emerge after the typical alcohol detox timeline and can last for several weeks or months. PAWS symptoms include sleep abnormalities, cravings, depression, anxiety, and issues with memory and focus. People who also use other substances are at a higher risk of experiencing this syndrome.
Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
The alcohol detox symptoms and timeline vary for each person. Factors such as the severity of your addiction and your general health play a major role in the overall withdrawal experience. Some of the most common symptoms include:
Flu-like symptoms
Restlessness
Irritability
Anxiety
Mild to moderate tremors
Mood swings
Depression
Fever
Agitation
Increased heart rate
While it is rare, some people may also experience delirium tremens, or DTs. Delirium tremens is a medical emergency that can involve cardiovascular events, hallucinations, confusion, and seizures.
Alcohol Withdrawal and Alcohol Detox Timeline
The alcohol detox timeline is typically divided into four stages.
8 Hours After the Last Drink
Many serious drinkers have experienced this phase before. As the body begins to react to the absence of alcohol, mild withdrawal symptoms begin. Those may include anxiety, insomnia, nausea, loss of appetite, mood swings, depression, tremors, fatigue, and mild heart palpitations. These early symptoms are more uncomfortable than dangerous. They are often the reason why heavy drinkers reach for their next drink—even if first thing in the morning.
24-72 Hours After the Last Drink
After one day without alcohol, heavy users enter the danger zone. Deprived of alcohol, the body goes into overdrive to cope. Withdrawal symptoms at this stage include increased blood pressure, respiration changes, irregular heart rate, confusion, sweating, and mood changes. In a medically managed detox, medications may be prescribed to counter these effects.
2-4 Days After the Last Drink
In this period, severe symptoms still continue. Untreated, heavy users may experience coma, heart attack, or even death. Hallucinations, seizures, and confusion may occur. Professional treatment at this stage is invaluable.
5-7 Days After the Last Drink
Roughly one week after the last drink, physical symptoms of withdrawal begin to abate, and patients can begin the real work of lasting recovery.
Although the specifics of this timeline will vary depending on an individual’s usage, one fact remains the same: detox is worth it.
Everyone struggling with substance abuse deserves a life free of addiction. At SolutionPoint Behavioral Health, you will be cared for in a safe, medically-assisted and comfortable environment as you take that critical first step on your path to recovery.
The journey begins the moment you decide to get better. Make the decision to end the devastating cycle of addiction today.
How Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Are Treated During Detox
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be alleviated with medication, therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and mindfulness practices, such as yoga or meditation. Your physician will develop a treatment plan for managing what happens in detox based on your individual needs and goals.
The Importance of Medically Assisted Alcohol Detox
Medically assisted alcohol detox keeps clients comfortable, prevents unnecessary physical and emotional suffering, and reduces the risk of relapse. Without medications to ease symptoms, clients would have to wait out the timeline of alcohol detox before they feel well enough to participate in other evidence-based therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Alcohol Detox at SolutionPoint Behavioral Health
Medically assisted alcohol detox at SolutionPoint puts clients first. We rely on FDA-approved medications and methods to help manage symptoms and stabilize clients as soon as possible. If you’d like to know more about our detox program, call SolutionPoint today.
Alcohol Detox Timeline FAQs
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You may feel extreme fatigue when you stop drinking because your brain stops producing the extra stimulants that were needed to compensate for the sedative effects of alcohol.
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On the typical alcohol detox symptoms timeline, your body will be fully detoxed within 48 to 72 hours. However, it may take your body longer to rebalance itself, especially if you have been abusing alcohol heavily or for a prolonged period. Most, but not all, of the damage caused by alcohol use disorder is repairable.
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After detox, you can begin fully participating in a comprehensive list of treatments that are shown to be effective for addiction recovery. Follow-up appointments, support group meetings, and enrolling in inpatient or outpatient treatment programs are some of the options.
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To begin, look for a detox center that understands the timeline of alcohol detox and employs staff experienced in helping people manage their withdrawal symptoms. Consider the types of therapies and amenities you prefer and the center’s follow-up support programs.
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