Roughly 14 million Americans suffer from Alcohol Use Disorder, or AUD. In order to recover from this level of physical and mental dependence on alcohol, detoxing is a crucial step.

Recovering from alcoholism and avoiding relapse is a lifelong process. The first step is recognizing that alcohol consumption is no longer a choice, but something that a person depends on. The second is seeking help.

Why is seeking help important? Detoxing is one of the more difficult phases of recovery, as alcohol detox and withdrawal symptoms go hand in hand.

Read on to learn more about what to expect from alcohol detox and withdrawal to better prepare yourself for the journey ahead.

What Is Alcohol Detox?

Addiction rewires the way the brain’s reward system functions. This leads heavy substance users to turn to alcohol or drugs in order to replicate positive feelings like euphoria, relaxation, and happiness. As a result, the body reaches a kind of homeostasis that is dependent on alcohol use.

Alcohol detox, also known as alcohol detoxification, is the process the body undergoes in order to shed toxins and other waste products from the system. These toxins and waste products build up during long-term alcohol abuse. The more severe the alcohol abuse was, the more likely a patient is to experience withdrawal symptoms.

Alcohol detox is considered the preparatory phase of rehabilitation. It typically involves medications that help monitor the brain and body while it relearns how to function without alcohol. Detox is accompanied by stabilization, a process that involves medical and psychological therapy that enables patients to get and stay sober.

Alcohol Detox and Withdrawal: Phases and Symptoms

Your body begins to naturally detox the moment a patient stops drinking. Typically, someone suffering from AUD will consume more alcohol in order to curb or reverse withdrawal symptoms. However, during a full, rehabilitative detox, patients remain sober, meaning that withdrawal symptoms will be present.

What are those withdrawal symptoms? Read on to learn more.

Acute Withdrawal

Acute withdrawal occurs in the first few hours of cessation. Depending on the severity and length of alcohol abuse, this phase can last between three days and a few weeks. During this time, patients often feel withdrawal symptoms including:

• Anxiety
• Hallucinations, both visual and auditory
• Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite
• Sweating and temperature fluctuations
• Insomnia
• Shaking, convulsions, and/or full-body tremors
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Heart failure

Because these symptoms range from mild to dangerous, it is important to undergo acute withdrawal under full medical observation.

The First Months of Alcohol Abstinence

It can take months for the brain to get back to normal functioning and substance-free regulation. This second phase is called post-acute withdrawal and tends to last much longer than the first phase. However, symptoms tend to be less severe, and include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Feelings of restlessness
• Insomnia or trouble sleeping
• Loss of appetite

During this time, it is most important to focus on your mental health. The best way to maintain sobriety is to continue meeting with a counselor and psychiatrist, especially when these withdrawal symptoms are still present.

How Can We Help You Detox?

As we’ve mentioned already, detoxing from severe substance abuse should always be done with the help of medical and psychological professionals. As your body adjusts to life without alcohol, patients are at risk of various heart-related problems that can be dangerous and, at times, fatal. Quitting alone and cold-turkey is never recommended.

At Detox Center, we access your medical history and current medical conditions in order to make a recovery plan catered to your needs. We may use medications including benzodiazepines, valium, or Ativan to manage withdrawal symptoms and prevent seizures.

While these medications are beneficial during the detox and recovery process, the use of them must be monitored. Patients should never take more than the recommended dosage of prescribed medications. They should also not cease taking medications without consulting their doctor, as the sudden cessation of certain medications can lead to worsened withdrawal symptoms.

In addition to medication-assisted detox, our counselors provide the guidance and talk therapy necessary to understand substance dependence and recover from it. Combining medical and psychological therapies is the best way to get sober and remain sober.

How Long Does Detoxing Take?

The length of each patient’s detoxification process will vary based on a number of factors. These include things like medical history, genetics, length of substance abuse, and severity of substance abuse.

Typically, the first 72 hours are the hardest. Withdrawal symptoms may present themselves as early as six hours after a patient’s last drink. They may continue to escalate for the next 24 hours before leveling out for the next two or so days.

For most patients, withdrawal symptoms start to lessen after five to seven days. Typically, most physical withdrawal symptoms will clear up at this point. However, psychological symptoms can continue for several more weeks or months, which is why we always recommend developing a strong aftercare plan before a patient heads back to their day-to-day life.

Detox Center Is Here to Help

Recovering from Alcohol Use Disorder is not easy and going through it alone is not recommended. Admitting that you need help and seeking that help is a sign of strength and the first step to reclaiming your life. Detox Center is here to help you get through alcohol detox and withdrawal as well as the continuing stages of recovery.

To find out more about our programs, availability, or payment plans, contact us today. Our representatives are here to answer any questions you may have about your road to recovery and the role we can play in it.