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How Long Does Alcohol Detoxification Take?

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Alcohol Detoxification Timeline

If you have never been through alcohol detoxification you may typically experience some anxiety about the process.

Especially if you have intentionally tried to complete alcohol detoxification on your own without help.

Adequately understanding the possible timeline for alcohol detox will provide tremendous help.

Knowing what to expect may reduce initial anxiety before treatment.

Physical withdraws happen because the body needs to have the substances to function properly.

Dealing with alcohol detox side effects alone makes detoxing at home dangerous.

Excessive alcohol use is dangerous and life-threatening.

Monitoring long-term alcohol users while detoxing from alcohol is important.

Resurgence Behavioral Health can help you appropriately manage alcohol detox side effects.

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Why Me?

Anyone can invariably suffer from alcohol use disorder.

Many decent people develop an extreme dependence.

For some it is a genetic predisposition.

Countless others drink to cope with stress or cultural influences their drinking habits.

Many people ask themselves why.

Like an onion, there are many distinct layers or key reasons the lead someone to drink.

Alcoholism doesn’t discriminate.

Anyone can progressively develop an addiction to alcohol over time.

The important thing to ask is what you can do about it.

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What is Alcohol Withdrawal

The effects of the withdrawal of alcohol affect the central nervous system. Alcohol withdrawal can range from mild symptoms to life-threatening. Those who suffer from this addiction will do almost anything to get their hands on a drink. Once a person becomes dependent on alcohol to function normally, a person must drink.

A person experiencing alcohol withdrawal is heartbreaking to watch. The most observable sign is trembling. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually improve within five days. Others may experience persistent symptoms lasting for weeks. The duration and severity of alcohol withdrawal differ according to several factors. When you enter into an alcohol detoxification program you will be asked the following questions to determine the care needed.

  • How long have you been drinking?
  • How much alcohol do you consume in a day, week, or month?
  • Are you addicted to other substances?
  • Do you suffer from other medical conditions?
  • Do you have a history of mental illness?

Usually, it’s hard for people who drink to be entirely frank about how much they drink. It is very important that your drinking history. This way you will have the proper monitoring for withdrawal symptoms. It’s critical to know what to expect when going through alcohol detoxification. Even the most serious signs of alcohol withdrawal will develop within a few hours. Resurgence assures that your privacy is a top priority. There is nothing to be ashamed of. We provide support without judgement.

Alcohol Detox Timeline

When you understand what to expect it can help you gauge your progress through detox. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal arise consistently after the last drink. It is important, to be honest about your drinking history. No one will shame you, nor treat you unkindly. Everything you say to your addiction specialist is private and confidential.

Here is a common alcohol detox timeline a person may experience on their recovery journey to sobriety. Alcohol detox side effects vary, but many will experience the following.

6 hours

Within a few hours after the last drink people can begin to experience uncomfortable withdraws. The most noticeable side effect of alcohol detoxification are tremors. Rapid heartbeat an increase in blood pressure can make it feel like a heart attack is happening. After six hours of non-drinking, the risk of seizures increases for the next 48 hours. Medical supervision is important for the protection of the person.

12 Hours

Those with severe alcohol dependence may experience hallucinations. This means that they may see or hear things that are not there. These hallucinations can range from moderately disturbing to highly terrifying. Prompt medical intervention can lessen these experiences. Supportive care allows clients to feel safe and secure while going through this stage in alcohol detoxification.

24 Hours

After one day of not drinking individuals may experience other symptoms. Many begin to experience nausea, stomach cramps and migraines. This stage in alcohol detoxification is the most difficult. Craving are difficult to manage. Support at this stage is critical for long-term recovery.

48 Hours

After a day of not drinking that next stage in alcohol detoxification is the most serious. A dangerous side effect of alcohol detoxification are delirium tremens or DTs. Hardened drinkers are likely to experience this alcohol detox side effects. Elevated body temperatures are likely at this stage. Medical intervention is important to avoid serious alcohol detox side effects.

72 Hours

The 72 hour is the peak of alcohol detox side effects. Symptoms may be unmanageable without proper medical care. People experience rapid heartbeat and panic attacks. Some will even become delusional. The upside is that at this point in the alcohol detox timeline is the beginning of better days.

Alcohol Detoxification

There is no doubt that the alcohol detox side effects can range from mild to potentially life-threatening. That’s why people should resist the DIY path to sobriety. Choose clinical support to avoid the worse of alcohol detox side effects. If you have been unsuccessful on your own, or this is your first time, give yourself the gift of managed alcohol detoxification. Today’s medical advances in alcohol detox side effects make the process comfortable. During alcohol detoxification, you are treated as a patient, with needs met and managed with therapeutic interventions.

Fighting Back Against Withdrawal

The best way to detox safely, minimize your stress, and motivate you every step of the way is professional support and guidance. The good news is that unpleasant consequences of alcohol detox side effects are managed with proper treatment. You can free yourself from the worst of withdrawal by getting support to detoxify your body. Resurgence Behavioral Health provides comprehensive care. Starting with alcohol detoxification to recovery and everything between. You can rest assured that your alcohol detox side effects are immediately addressed.

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What Happens After Alcohol Detoxification?

Alcoholism treatment begins with a decision. Once alcohol detoxification is complete, it is essential that you do not start drinking again. This is only the first stage in treating addiction. You must follow up detoxification with formal rehabilitation. This can include inpatient or outpatient care.

Follow-up care allows you to learn more about your triggers and support your newfound sobriety. The key is to manage your stress. Individuals will transition from the hospital environment to a residential treatment center after alcohol detoxification. Although they no longer need 24-hour medical care or medical treatment, they may continue to get intensive treatment.

Alcohol Detoxification Treatment

Anyone who struggles with alcoholism can get the medical care they need to safely avoid the alcohol detox side effects. You’ll be safely weaned off alcohol in a medical detox facility, like the one at Resurgence Behavioral Health while being supervised around the clock by medical professionals. Everyday your vital signs are closely monitored.

Your comfort level is our highest priority. To help keep you safe and feel relaxed, prescriptions may be provided when needed. We take pride in our luxurious faculties that make your alcohol detoxification peaceful. Every treatment and program are focused on your needs that make recovery possible.

Free Insurance Verification for Rehab

Insurance Verification

Many insurance providers cover alcohol detoxification.

At Resurgence, we accept many major insurance carriers.

We offer public access to our insurance verification tool to get you started.

Everything is confidential, your privacy is important.

David Rofofsky
David Rofofsky
After growing up in New York, David chose to get help with substance abuse in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than nine years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for eight years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. David remains passionate about the field because he understands how hard it is to pick up the phone and ask for help. However, once the call is made, someone's life can be saved.


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