Alcohol abuse is one of the top preventable causes of death in the United States. 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 symptoms are part of the reasons many people put off quitting. However, with the help of alcohol detox in Tampa, FL, you have an excellent chance of success. At BoardPrep Recovery Center®, we’re proud to provide alcohol addiction treatment in The Sunshine State, which we can tailor to each patient’s unique needs. We have experience in treating patients from all backgrounds. 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 daily
- 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 more potent 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 the entire process is manageable with substance abuse treatment programs.
What to Expect During Alcohol Withdrawal
During alcohol withdrawal, specific 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.
Six 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
- Sweatiness
You may also feel irritable and have difficulty concentrating.
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
You may also experience nausea and vomiting, as well as increased anxiety.
48 to 72 Hours After Your Last Drink
Between 48 and 72 hours, your symptoms will peak. You may experience symptoms such as:
- Delirium tremens
- Delusions
- Seizures
- Racing heart
These symptoms can be hazardous to your health, so it’s almost always best to go through this period under medical supervision.
Three to 7 Days After Your Last Drink
The symptoms above may continue until the fifth day. Then you can expect the withdrawal to begin to subside with alcohol detox. After one week, you should feel better, although a few mild symptoms may persist.
Treatment for Alcohol Withdrawal
A treatment center will provide follow-up therapy once you finish detox so that you reduce the chances of relapsing. For instance, your therapy plan may include the following:
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Holistic therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
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.
Find Treatment for Alcohol Abuse, Addiction, and Withdrawal Symptoms at BoardPrep Recovery Center®
Now that you know how long it takes to detox from alcohol, you can find help from professional and compassionate clinicians. Contact BoardPrep Recovery Center® at 866.796.4720, and we’ll get you on the right road to healing.
