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Alcohol Detox Timeline and What to Expect

two people talk to a counselor bout Alcohol detox

Having a glass of wine with dinner or celebrating with champagne is common practice. Drinking alcohol in moderation is fine, but excessive drinking is a problem. Alcohol use disorder is characterized by uncontrolled drinking and preoccupation with alcohol. People with alcohol use disorder develop a physical and emotional dependency on alcohol. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol use disorder, it is critical to reach out for help. Receiving treatment from an addiction facility can provide the support and care a person needs to overcome their addiction.

Detox is a crucial early stage in alcohol addiction treatment and recovery. Before participating in outpatient treatment or therapy programs, it is critical to completely flush the alcohol out of your system. We provide a drug and alcohol detox center at Rise Above Treatment to help our clients through the difficult and uncomfortable process.

What to Expect During Alcohol Detox

When a person drinks an excessive amount of alcohol for an extended time, their body becomes dependent on it. When they suddenly stop drinking or reduce their alcohol consumption, they can experience withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms are often uncomfortable and can be painful. It is best to go through alcohol detox at a drug and alcohol detox center instead of by yourself. Alcohol detox is a complicated process; withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous and require medical attention.

Some common alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Headaches
  • Tremors or shakes
  • Insomnia
  • Mood changes
  • Heart palpitations
  • Fatigue
  • Anxiety
  • Increased blood pressure or heart rate
  • Hallucinations
  • Seizures

The timeline of alcohol detox can vary. At Rise Above Treatment, we have an extensive medical staff and resources to help our clients manage their withdrawal symptoms. Our medically-assisted detox program administers medication to clients going through alcohol detox to reduce the severity of dangerous withdrawal symptoms. We provide a safe, supportive environment where our clients can receive proper care should any health complications arise.

How Long Does it Take for Alcohol Detox to Occur?

One of the most common questions during the early stages of treatment is how long for alcohol detox. The timeline of alcohol withdrawal and detox is different for each person. The detox timeline for alcohol depends on a variety of factors such as:

  • Age
  • Weight
  • Gender
  • Genetics
  • The amount of alcohol typically consumed
  • Whether other substances are consumed alongside alcohol
  • Co-occurring mental health conditions
  • Physical health condition

No one factor will determine the length or duration of alcohol detox but may provide valuable information to therapists and counselors in developing an appropriate treatment plan.

Timeline of Alcohol Withdrawal

The timeline of alcohol detox is typically divided into four stages. The first stage in the detox timeline for alcohol withdrawal can begin as early as the first 6-12 hours after a person stops drinking. In stage one, clients experience withdrawal symptoms like headaches, anxiety, stomach pain, insomnia, and nausea.

The next stage in the timeline of alcohol detox occurs in the next 12-48 hours when clients may experience hallucinations or seizures. The third stage in the timeline for alcohol withdrawal is in the next 48-72 hours. During stage three, the withdrawal symptoms are at their worst and can include symptoms such as fever, confusion, fast heart rate, high blood pressure, and tremors.

The last stage in the timeline of alcohol withdrawal is after the first 72 hours and when withdrawal symptoms begin to dissipate after the first week.

Drug and Alcohol Detox Center at Rise Above Treatment

At Rise Above Treatment, our large medical staff helps clients throughout each stage of treatment and recovery. Our drug and alcohol detox center provides medically-assisted detox to help manage severe withdrawal symptoms during alcohol detox. We offer many additional programs that include:

  • Dual diagnosis treatment program
  • Early intervention program
  • Intensive outpatient treatment
  • Partial hospitalization program
  • Medication-assisted treatment program
  • Residential treatment center
  • Relapse prevention plan
  • Sober living center

Contact Rise Above Treatment today at (877) 641-0717 to begin your recovery.

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