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However, the length of the detox process largely depends on how long the individual has been drinking alcohol and the severity of alcohol consumption. Detoxing is the period of time it takes for a substance to leave the body and for the person to recover from it. In the case of long-term alcohol use, this process can come with withdrawal symptoms and other side effects that can vary in intensity and may require medical care. If you’re thinking about detoxing from alcohol, it’s important to speak with a medical professional to find out what method of detoxing will work best for you.
- Research studies have also started to look into whether or not acamprosate helps reduce the symptoms of PAWS including insomnia, anxiety and restlessness.
- This type of seizure can cause abnormal sensations, nausea, vertigo, loss of consciousness and impaired breathing.
- While some symptoms may persist for a few weeks, most of them are minor and can be treated with medication.
- Choosing to quit drinking alcohol is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your health.
- Contact us today to learn more about alcohol addiction treatment programs that can work well for your needs.
In the short term, alcohol is processed through your liver in about an hour. Essentially, feeling “drunk” is when your liver becomes too overwhelmed to properly process alcohol, so it overflows temporarily into your bloodstream. This is what causes you sober house to feel light-headed or tipsy after multiple alcoholic drinks. Multiple factors can affect how long it may take you to withdraw from alcohol. A doctor will consider all these factors when estimating how long-lasting and how severe your symptoms may be.
Symptoms You’ll Experience During Detox
The second stage can begin within 48 hours of your last drink, and it is when serious symptoms such as seizures can occur. It is estimated that around 5% of people will go through this phase of alcohol withdrawal. The first stage of alcohol withdrawal is typically mild and can happen within hours of your last drink. Usually, this includes symptoms like nausea, tremors (often referred to as “the shakes”), changes in blood pressure and problems sleeping.
This can be dangerous when a person’s body is used to having alcohol in its system. In this case, a person will likely go through withdrawal symptoms when alcohol starts to leave their system. The severity of symptoms depends on how long a person has been using alcohol, how much alcohol they use and the severity of their alcohol use disorder. Immediate and acute withdrawal symptoms usually involve sweating, tremors, headaches, feeling restless or anxious and being unable to sleep.
Detox from Severe Alcohol Addiction
They will also be able to identify symptoms that are crossing into dangerous territory and will be able to provide assistance or even transfer the client to a hospital if necessary. Their support, along with the comfortable environment and treatment programs these centers provide, will help anyone going through detox stay with treatment as long as they need to. In either treatment setting, long-acting benzodiazepines like chlordiazepoxide or diazepam are often used to reduce the risk of seizures and delirium tremens.
- People with severe alcoholism who suddenly stop drinking can experience dangerous alcohol withdrawal symptoms that they may not know how to manage.
- This is what causes withdrawal symptoms such as headache, fever, nausea, irregular heartbeat and hallucinations.
- Symptoms most often occur 48 to 96 hours after drinking, but they can begin as long as 10 days after the last drink.
At Serenity House Detox & Recovery in Houston, TX, we work to make sure you have all the tools at your fingertips to get the most effective treatment possible. This way you can leave https://www.healthworkscollective.com/how-choose-sober-house-tips-to-focus-on/ rehab feeling better about yourself and stay clean and drug-free from then on. When you have all the right tools and the support behind you, staying sober feels easier and worth it.
Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
However, if it is left untreated, it can lead to more serious issues such as stroke, sudden cardiac arrest, heart failure or death. A person undergoes alcohol detox when they cease drinking, and alcohol begins to leave their system. This can be a challenge for someone dependent on alcohol, especially if they have misused it for many years. A person should seek help if they notice that they or someone they love has symptoms of alcohol use disorder. Seeking help can be challenging for the person who is struggling with addiction.
That’s why many of us wonder if a month of avoiding drinking is enough to “reset” your liver back to normal. But a full detox is needed for the most benefit, and how much time that takes depends on a variety of personal factors. People who become dependent on opioids are likely to start experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, agitation, and insomnia within the first 12 to 30 hours of their detox. Detoxing is typically the first step for people looking to begin their recovery journey from substance abuse. Depending on what substance you are dependent on, detoxing can take some time. A person’s tolerance to alcohol and the severity of his or her addiction are two of the biggest factors that influence the length of time that it takes to detox.
Will Your Insurance Cover the Cost of Treatment?
When alcohol detox is treated in an inpatient rehab facility, different medications may be used to help reduce uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Medications can also help keep a person’s body chemicals in balance, lowering the risk for serious complications. In rehab, a medical professional will administer the medication and monitor its effects. If the medication begins to cause unwanted side effects or interferes with the detox process, another remedy can be used.