Alcohol withdrawal refers to a specific set of symptoms that people who have been alcohol dependent may experience when they stop drinking. The symptoms remain mild and are over quickly for some people, but detoxing can be more serious for others.
To understand more about the alcohol withdrawal timeline and what you can expect from alcohol withdrawal, contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida today at 866.294.5306. Our experienced addiction specialists can help you or a loved one begin down the path to recovery.
Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline
The process of withdrawal can begin as soon as four hours after taking your last alcoholic drink. As the level of alcohol in the blood drops, the symptoms of detox begin. Not everyone’s detox experience is the same. Issues that affect detox include:
- How heavily the person was drinking
- Level of dependence
- Age
- Gender
- How long the person was drinking
- Poor general health
- Co-occurring physical or mental health issues
- Having been through detox one or more times in the past
- Having had DTs or other severe symptoms in the past
While it’s not possible to predict an exact alcohol withdrawal timeline for each client, some common symptoms are expected.
The First 72 Hours
During the early hours of detoxing, clients may feel restless, moody, and experience high anxiety levels. Physical symptoms may include:
- Insomnia
- Fever
- Nausea and other flu-like symptoms
- Body aches
- Tremors
It’s possible to manage most early symptoms with over-the-counter medications, rest, hydration, and good nutrition.
3 to 5 Days
Symptoms may become more severe during this period and could include:
- Increased agitation
- Confusion, disorientation
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Delirium tremens
At this point, medical intervention and pharmacotherapeutics may be necessary to keep the patient safe and comfortable.
5 to 14 Days
As the detox progresses, patients may begin to experience more psychological symptoms in addition to physical discomfort. Symptoms may include:
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Feeling nervous, anxious, or shaky
- Nightmares
- Brain fog
- Insomnia
As their bodies cleanse from alcohol, individuals with an untreated mental health issue may feel that the condition worsens without alcohol to help relieve the symptoms. However, detoxing provides an opportunity to diagnose and treat co-occurring disorders properly.
How Can an Alcohol Detox Center Help?
Detoxing from alcohol addiction is, at best, uncomfortable. At its worst, detoxing may lead to severe and even life-threatening symptoms. At a medically supervised alcohol detox center, patients are closely monitored 24/7. Medical staff can provide medications that ease detox symptoms and treat other mental or physical health issues if they emerge.
The fear of going through alcohol withdrawal prevents some people from getting help for their alcohol use disorder. With medical detox, you don’t have to face the fears alone or tough them out. The compassionate, experienced staff at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida will do everything they can to keep you comfortable and get your recovery journey off to a positive start. During detox, you will begin participating in the evidence-based therapies that will help you gain long-term sobriety, including:
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Treatment for mental or physical illness
- Nutritional therapy
Detoxing is the necessary first step in a life free from alcohol addiction. Once your brain and body are free from the toxins left behind by chronic alcohol use, you will begin to think more clearly and make better decisions for your health and your life.
Begin Alcohol Detox at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida
Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida provides medically supervised detox programs to keep you safe and comfortable during withdrawal. Don’t go through detox at home, putting yourself or others in danger. Contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida today at 866.294.5306 to learn how we can help you take the first step on your path to sobriety.