Alcohol detox is the first step in an alcoholism treatment program. During this stage of treatment, your body rids alcohol from the system. The process typically takes about 1-2 weeks, where you are expected to experience several withdrawal symptoms. Having a clear understanding of the Alcohol detox time can help you plan your recovery better.
If you are suffering from alcohol use disorder (AUD), you need to consult a medical practitioner who can help you prepare a treatment/recovery plan. You also need to shortlist comprehensive detox services that can help you kickstart your recovery journey. If it is done under medical supervision, alcohol detox can have a number of health benefits.
Health Benefits of Quitting Alcohol
When you stop drinking alcohol, your body starts experiencing some positive changes. As your body does not receive the harmful substances anymore, you are no longer at risk of alcohol poisoning and mental health problems associated with drinking. Quitting alcohol also reduces the rate of miscarriages in women. You can also avoid accidents, injuries, and risky indecent behaviors linked to unhealthy alcohol use.
In the long term, your body starts recovering from the effects of alcohol. During this phase, you can expect:
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Lower risk of cancer
- A healthier immune system
If you suffer from a fatty liver or alcoholic hepatitis, your liver also begins to recover and repair itself when you stop drinking. It may not be possible to reverse the impact of cirrhosis, but you can certainly add years to your life when you choose to quit drinking.
When you have an alcohol use disorder, drinking becomes a priority for you. As a result, you end up pushing people and other priorities away. Once you stop drinking, you start noticing the following things:
- Improved mood and lower levels of stress and anxiety
- Better sleep quality
- Feeling more energetic and productive throughout the day
- Focus on having better relationships
- Enjoying better attention and concentration at work
Alcohol Detox Timeline
When you stop drinking alcohol, withdrawal symptoms can start surfacing as early as two hours following your last drink. The most painful symptoms usually subside within the first week of your detox journey. However, you may notice some mild symptoms for several weeks up to a year. While the timeline for withdrawal symptoms varies from one person to another, here is a general outline of what you can expect during the detoxification process.
- First 6-12 Hours
The initial withdrawal symptoms are mild, but they can soon begin to worsen. Some of the early symptoms during the detox process include anxiety, headaches, nausea, irritability, and shaking.
- First Day
Towards the end of the first 24 hours of alcohol detox, the symptoms start getting more severe. While you continue experiencing the effects felt in the first 12 hours, you may also suffer seizures along with disorientation and hand tremors.
- Second Day
You may continue experiencing the most painful symptoms into day two. During this time, your body flushes alcohol from the system completely, which may result in hallucinations and panic attacks.
- The remainder of the First Week (Days 3-7)
For the rest of the first week in detox, different withdrawal symptoms may come and go. This is also the phase where you are at risk of developing life-threatening symptoms like Delirium Tremens.
- After Week One
Most of the withdrawal symptoms start to fade away as you complete the first week of detox. You may still experience some symptoms for a few weeks. However, most of them are mild and can be treated with medication.
Individuals usually experience the most uncomfortable alcohol withdrawal symptoms around 10-30 hours after the last drink. These symptoms start to lessen by 40-50 hours. You are less likely to develop life-threatening symptoms like Delirium tremens. Around 30% of those who experience these symptoms are also likely to develop Aspiration Pneumonia. You can prevent such serious complications by choosing a medically-assisted alcohol detox process. It will also help you keep track of your health conditions and relieve any painful effects you may experience during the detox process.
Conclusion
It is never too late to quit drinking. While the detoxification process can be challenging in the beginning, you can soon start to experience the positive effects of alcohol detox. When done under medical supervision, alcohol detox can improve your mental health and help you avoid risks linked to drinking.
