According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes in the United States. Alcohol is one of the top preventable causes of death in the country; it steals lives, destroys homes, and breaks hearts. The average life span of someone who drinks is shortened by 30 years. If you’ve thought about quitting drinking, you may have wondered —how long does it take to detox from alcohol?
Alcohol withdrawal is one of the reasons that many people put off quitting. However, with the help of an alcohol addiction treatment center in Tampa FL, you have an excellent chance of success. At BoardPrep Recovery Center®, we’re proud to provide a medical alcohol detox program, which we can tailor to the unique needs of the client. We have experience in treating clients from all backgrounds, so regardless of your challenges, we can help. To learn more about our alcohol addiction treatment options, please contact BoardPrep Recovery Center®. You can call 866.796.4720 or use our convenient online form.
How Long Does it Take to Detox from Alcohol?
Alcohol withdrawal is different for each person but follows a similar timeline. Of course, the symptoms a person will experience largely depend on a few factors, such as:
- How long a person has been drinking alcohol
- How many drinks on average a person was drinking a day
- What type of alcohol a person had been drinking
- Whether they were using alcohol along with another substance
The longer you drink, the more you drink, and the stronger alcohol you drink will all cause the withdrawal to be a bit more intense. However, most people can expect to be through the worst of the withdrawal symptoms after about seven days. Some people may experience mild symptoms after that, but with substance abuse treatment programs, the entire process is manageable.
What to Expect During Alcohol Withdrawal
During alcohol withdrawal, certain symptoms usually appear in a particular order. Let’s take a look at the alcohol detox timeline for more information. Here are symptoms you may experience at each interval:
6 Hours After Your Last Drink
Roughly six hours after your last drink, you will begin to experience symptoms such as:
- Anxiety
- Shaky hands
- Headache
- Upset stomach
- Difficulty sleeping
- Sweaty
12 to 24 Hours After Your Last Drink
After 12 hours, your symptoms will become more intense. You may experience symptoms such as:
- More serious physical symptoms such as elevated body temperature
- Irregular heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Hallucinations
- Confusions
- Moodiness
48 to 72 Hours After Your Last Drink
Between 48 and 72 hours, your symptoms will peak. These symptoms can be highly dangerous to your health, so it’s almost always best to go through this period under medical supervision. You may experience symptoms such as:
- Delirium tremens
- Delusions
- Seizures
- Racing heart
3 to 7 Days After Your Last Drink
The symptoms above may continue until the 5th day. Then you can expect the withdrawal to begin to subside with alcohol detox. After one week, you should be feeling a bit better, although a few mild symptoms may persist.
Treatment for Alcohol Withdrawal
Going through alcohol withdrawal is not just difficult; it can be dangerous. It’s crucial to go through the procedure with the help of trained clinicians at a treatment facility. A medical detox center will provide medication to help ease your discomfort. In addition, they can ensure that you are safe from any danger to yourself or others. Finally, a treatment center will provide follow-up therapy once you finish with detox so that you reduce the chances of relapsing. For instance, your therapy plan may include:
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Holistic therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
Welcome to BoardPrep Recovery Center®
BoardPrep Recovery is a professional alcohol treatment center. Offering evidence-based therapies, we get results. Some of our treatment programs include:
- Outpatient rehab program
- Intensive outpatient rehab program
- Partial hospitalization rehab program
- Medical detox program
Don’t let alcohol addiction interfere with a peaceful life. Now that you know how long does it take to detox from alcohol, you can find help from professional and compassionate clinicians. Contact us at 866.796.4720, and we’ll get you on the right road to healing.
