Know About Alcohol Detox Treatment

The first step of alcohol withdrawal treatment is alcohol detox. In this detox, alcohol is completely flushed from the body. Withdrawal symptoms occur within one to two weeks after starting the detox process. After the detox process, the attention will shift towards other aspects of the recovery process, such as undergoing different activities, therapies, counseling sessions, and emotional balancing. 

Alcohol is a depressant, and your body starts relying on it over months and years of drinking. The brain stops producing chemicals that it receives from alcohol and becomes dependent on the drug. Therefore, during an alcoholism treatment program, when the addict quits alcohol, the body requires time to adapt to the change. Consequently, it causes withdrawal symptoms like headache, fever, irregular heartbeats, nausea, and hallucinations.

Some people are anxious about quitting alcohol because they fear the withdrawal symptoms experienced during the alcoholism treatment program. The severity of the symptoms varies from person to person; some may experience minor effects, while others may face extreme pain. Withdrawal symptoms change rapidly and aggressively. Therefore, it is essential to undergo alcohol detox under medical supervision. Alcohol withdrawal treatment professionals at the rehab center help you manage the pain with different medications and ensure your long-lasting and effective recovery.

Symptoms of Alcohol Detox

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms range from mild intensity to life-threatening. The longevity and severity play a role in the symptoms you experience. Individuals involved in heavy alcoholism for years are likely to develop severe withdrawal symptoms.

Minor alcohol detox symptoms include anxiety, nausea, sweating, headaches, and insomnia. However, severe alcohol detox symptoms include seizers, tremors, disorientation, extreme hallucinations, and delirium tremens (in rare cases). 

Due to the severity of these withdrawal symptoms, it is advisable to conduct the alcohol detox program under medical supervision. You can talk with your treatment provider about the signs and pain you are experiencing. This information will help the medical team to determine which medication to use to relieve your discomfort.

Alcohol Detox Timeline

Withdrawal symptoms begin to occur as early as two hours after your last drink. The most painful symptoms lessen within a week, whereas the mild ones can last for several weeks. Since there is no exact timeline as to what and when you will experience the symptoms, here is a general outline of what you can expect.

In the first six to twelve hours, mild withdrawal symptoms begin to surface. These symptoms include headaches, nausea, anxiety, irritation, and shaking. As time passes, the symptoms become increasingly severe. As soon as you approach the end of the first 24 hours, additional symptoms like disorientation and hand tremors can occur. Similar to the first day of detox, the most painful symptoms continue on the second day. Between day three to seven, hallucinations, panic attacks, and other life-threatening symptoms such as delirium tremens may occur. After completing the first week of detox, many withdrawal symptoms begin to fade away. Only a few minor signs will remain. 

However, some people may suffer from post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), i.e., the prolonged symptoms of detox, including anxiety, low energy, delayed reflexes, or trouble sleeping. With proper medication, the treatment of these remaining symptoms is possible. 

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JorgeBritton Joined: June 24th, 2020