Are you struggling with alcohol addiction? If you regularly drink more than intended, find that you need a drink to get through the day, or experience anxiety or insomnia when you try to stop drinking, you might have developed a dependence on alcohol. Trying to stop drinking on your own can be challenging. Withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable and in some cases dangerous. However, an alcohol detox program can provide a strong foundation for long-term sobriety.
Before beginning an alcohol detox program, it can be helpful to know what to expect.
The Typical Alcohol Detox Timeline
Depending on factors like how much the individual drinks, how long they’ve been addicted to alcohol, and whether they are addicted to any other substances, the alcohol detox timeline can vary.
You will likely begin to experience symptoms associated with detox within six hours of your last drink. You might notice a headache, nausea, or rapid heart rate.
Within the first 24 hours after your last drink, you will start to experience the worst of your withdrawal symptoms. For some, these withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Hallucinations
- Tremors
- Seizures
- High fever
- Paranoia
These more severe symptoms are more likely to occur in those who have been addicted to alcohol for a long period of time. After these more uncomfortable or painful symptoms peak, they can last for several days. Four to five days after your last drink, you’ll begin to feel relief from these symptoms. While minor or moderate withdrawal symptoms can last for up to a month, these first few days are when it’s most vital to have medical support.
Relapse can be a risk for those who are going through alcohol detox. If you try to detox on your own, it can be tempting to drink again just to feel relief. However, once you get through detox, you can begin to heal in body, mind, and spirit. That’s why going through detox in an alcohol detox program can be the best way to begin the journey to recovery. Accountability and support can make a difference in your path to sobriety.
How an Alcohol Detox Program Can Help
In an alcohol detox program at a treatment center, you’ll have support and medical care during this challenging time. Detox can be physically, mentally, and emotionally draining. However, a recovery center can provide everything you need to be as comfortable as possible during the process.
First, you’ll go through an intake assessment. This will help your treatment team determine the best therapies and services to address your needs. The priority of a detox program is to keep you safe and comfortable. Your treatment team can provide medications and other interventions to ease any discomfort you might feel.
Additionally, you’ll participate in group and individual therapy sessions. These sessions can help you process what you are going through. You’ll meet others in recovery and can begin to build the healthy coping skills you’ll need for long-term sobriety.
Reach Out to Clearhaven Recovery Today
At Clearhaven Recovery, we can connect you with a high-quality detox center where you can go through alcohol detox. Then, you can begin a treatment program in our Waltham, MA recovery center. Here, you’ll find compassionate care in a supportive setting. We help individuals and families heal from the effects of addiction. Our outpatient programs offer flexibility and help participants build healthy coping skills. We don’t just help the individuals in our care get sober. Instead, we address the underlying issues that may have led to addiction.
If you’re ready to take your life back from alcohol addiction, reach out to our team today. At Clearhaven Recovery, you’ll find hope and healing. Connect with us online or reach out to our team today at 833.970.2054.
