Another misconception is that withdrawal is the hardest part of recovery. While withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable, they are usually temporary and treatable. The most uncomfortable detox withdrawal symptoms usually peak around hours after the last drink and start to lessen by hours. Although delirium tremens is unlikely, roughly 30% of those who get it will also develop Aspiration Pneumonia.
Unlocking Your Body’s Natural Stress Relief: The Relaxation Response
Detoxing from benzodiazepines can take between 3 and 14 days, depending on the severity of your addiction. In the first four days of detox, you will likely experience short-lived anxiety and insomnia. Between 10 and 14 days, after you stop using benzodiazepines, you will experience the worst of your withdrawal symptoms. Recovery after this period depends on your treatment and how well your body takes to it.
– Eat a balanced diet that includes healthy fruits and vegetables.
You might also take anti-seizure meds and antipsychotics, along with other alcohol detox drugs. Over time, your central nervous system adjusts to having alcohol around all the time. Your body works hard to keep your brain in a more awake state and to keep your nerves talking to one another. Some people may feel so “broken” that they almost feel they can no longer experience joy and confidence, or have healthy relationships again. The abstinence stage typically begins right after you stop drinking. BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat.
- For example, individuals who have struggled with years of heavy drinking are more likely to develop serious withdrawal symptoms like seizures or delirium tremens.
- Individuals should be prepared to be uncomfortable during this period and have medical help available if needed.
- Dr. Streem suggests starting with the World Health Organization’s Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT).
- When people who are dependent on alcohol drink, they feel normal.
Alcohol Detox Programs
- If you drink alcohol heavily for weeks, months, or years, you may have both mental and physical problems when you stop or seriously cut back on how much you drink.
- Most commonly, people attempt to detox from drug or alcohol dependence.
- By the time you finally sink into the couch, all you want to do is switch off.
- Although delirium tremens is unlikely, roughly 30% of those who get it will also develop Aspiration Pneumonia.
- Detox doesn’t treat addiction, which is a disease characterized by compulsive behaviors, such as chronic alcohol use.
- Symptoms that occur after two weeks are usually more psychological in nature and can last for several months in some cases.
Expect to feel some discomfort, including anxiety, sweating or irritability. If you feel severe symptoms, such as hallucinations, rapid heartbeat or disorientation, call 911 immediately. Outpatient programs provide the same level of medical expertise as inpatient detox, but with the added benefit of allowing patients to maintain their independence.
The Detox Process
- A person who has a long history of heavy drinking could have a seizure six hours after stopping drinking.
- Alcohol withdrawal can have serious consequences, including death.
- Alcohol detox is the process of allowing the body to naturally eliminate all alcohol from its bloodstream and adjust to the absence of alcohol.
- It’s important to be honest about your alcohol use — and any other substance use — so your provider can give you the best care.
- One example is a beta-blocker (such as propranolol) to reduce high blood pressure.
Some people use detox drinks or detox kits to help the detox process. These resources may https://ecosoberhouse.com/ provide a small amount of help, but they are unlikely to majorly improve the detox process. For those with alcohol use disorder, withdrawal is just the first (but very important) step on a long journey to recovery.
However, medically supervised detox and professional rehab are more likely to help you maintain long-term sobriety. For alcohol and most substances, the acute phase of detox—where withdrawal symptoms are at their peak—lasts between three and seven days. However, cravings and psychological symptoms like depression, anxiety, insomnia, and mood instability can persist for months and may need ongoing attention. These chronic, less physically based symptoms are called “post-acute withdrawal symptoms,” or PAWS. For many people, contemplating the possibility of alcohol or drug withdrawal can also be scary. Many folks have a sincere desire to stop using alcohol or substances but remain hesitant to take the first step due to detox concerns.
Delirium tremens (DTs), or “alcohol withdrawal delirium,” is one of the more extreme symptoms that can occur after quitting alcohol. It is marked by delirium and a change in the level of consciousness, and it can be fatal in 5% to 15% of cases. These symptoms may start a few hours or a few days after your last drink of alcohol. Sometimes, symptoms may be severe enough to require medical treatment at a hospital or rehabilitation facility.