Alcohol Detoxification

What is alcohol detox? Read on to learn more about alcohol detox, alcohol withdrawal, and how withdrawal relates to alcohol dependency.

Written and medically reviewed by the clinical team at Ripple Ranch Recovery Center, including licensed therapists, addiction specialists, and medical professionals.

What is Alcohol Detox?

Alcohol detox is one of the many steps to take when treating alcoholism. It is a process that helps individuals that suffer from alcoholism detoxify and get through withdrawal symptoms. Individuals going through this process need medical supervision because it can be dangerous and painful. Detox helps to expel alcohol from a body that has adjusted to regular usage of the substance.

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The Importance of Alcohol Detox

Individuals use alcohol detoxification because of its various importance to the body. Some of the importance of detoxing alcohol are:

Detoxing alcohol helps the boy to expel toxins of alcohol in the body
It gives room for medical professionals to assist individuals experiencing withdrawal symptoms
The mental health of the individuals who detox from alcohol becomes stabilized during recovery

Symptoms of Alcohol Detox

There are several symptoms of alcohol detox. Some of the symptoms that individuals who detox from alcohol experience are:

Nausea
Insomnia
Disorientation

Alcohol Detox Timeline

When an individual decides to go through an alcohol detoxification process, they experience some withdrawal symptoms. These individuals experience these symptoms at least two hours after their last drink.

First Six to Twelve Hours

The symptoms an individual will experience at the initial stage of detoxing alcohol are mild but may worsen. Some examples of the early withdrawal symptoms are nausea and shaking.¹

Day One

At the end of the first 24 hours when detoxing alcohol, the individual may experience more severe symptoms. Additional symptoms the individuals will experience, along with the effects of the first 12 hours, include seizures and disorientation.

Day Two

Individuals undergoing detox will experience more painful symptoms on the second day. These individuals will experience panic attacks and hallucinations as the body system gets rid of the alcohol.

Day Three to Seven

There is a great risk for lethal symptoms such as delirium tremens during this period. The individuals will experience various other recurring symptoms.

After One Week

After the first week’s completion, some withdrawal symptoms will start to wear off. However, some may persist for some additional weeks, but they are mostly mild and treated with some medications.

What is Alcohol Withdrawal?

Alcohol withdrawal is when an individual experiences physical and mental problems due to a reduced alcohol intake. It happens when there is a prolonged intake of alcohol which leads to severe symptoms.²

Causes of Alcohol Withdrawal

The depressive effects of alcohol on the body system cause the brain to function slowly. It keeps the brain in an awake state. Once there is a sudden decrease in the alcohol level, the brain stays in this state and causes withdrawal.

Dangers of Alcohol Withdrawal

When there is an abrupt reduction in the intake of alcohol in an individual, there are certain dangers that arise. Some of these dangers are:³

Cardiovascular complications
Depression
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

The following are some of the alcohol detox symptoms that arise in an individual going through alcohol withdrawal:

Insomnia
Fatigue
Extreme Agitation

Timeline of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Various individuals experience mild to serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms based on how long and how much they drank.

How Long Does it Take to Detox from Alcohol?

Although the detox can begin after taking the last drink, it depends on how much and long the individual drank. The length of the detox also depends on the severity of the individual’s substance use disorder.

How Long Does it Take?

The longer the substance use disorder of an individual, the longer the detox from alcohol symptoms and the withdrawal symptoms timeline.

12 – 48 Hours After Your Last Drink

At this withdrawal symptoms timeline, the individuals experience hallucinations and minor withdrawal symptoms. Some of these withdrawal symptoms are stomach upset and headache.

6 Hours After You Stop Drinking

The individuals will begin to experience mild withdrawal symptoms six hours after the last drink to detox from alcohol symptoms. Some mild alcohol detox symptoms the individual will experience at this period are carvings and an upset stomach.

48 – 72 Hours After You Stop Drinking

Individuals experiencing an extreme form of alcohol disorder (DTs) experience high body temperature and heart rate during this period.

Finding the Right Alcohol Detox Center

Finding the “right center for alcohol detox near me” can help with mental health and managing alcohol withdrawal timelines. The right addiction centers help to determine the best step to reduce or stop the large intake of alcohol.

Four Must-Ask Questions to Finding a Detox Program

When looking for an available ‘alcohol detox,’ it is crucial to figure out details and ask questions. These questions determine whether the alcohol detox is right for the individual. The four must-ask questions to finding addiction centers for a detox program are listed below:

What Type of Insurance Is Available?

It is crucial to be aware if the alcohol detox program accepts my insurance and how much it covers.

At Ripple Ranch, we’re happy to work with you and your insurance provider to ensure accessible, affordable treatment and lasting recovery.

How Do You Lessen the Side Effects of Withdrawal?

Asking the center about their medications and managing the various severe withdrawal symptoms that might emerge is very important.

Do They Offer Any Medical and Counseling Services?

Having a medical and counseling service in case of emergency, mental and emotional stress is crucial.

Do I Receive Aftercare When I’m Done with the Program?

Relapse is possible after the program; it is best if the center provides follow-up care for a year at least.

Alcohol Detox: How to Detox from Alcohol Safely at Home

Individuals desiring to detox from alcohol often choose a date to quit. These individuals start engaging in several activities to distract them from alcohol and stop triggers.

Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment at Home

There are several ways individuals treat alcohol withdrawal syndrome at home. The following are ways are listed below:⁴

Have an all-ready first aid kit
Understand cravings
Have vegetables and healthy fruits
Clearing your schedule
Focus on relaxing

The Risks of At-Home Alcohol Detox and Withdrawal

Individuals who detox from alcohol at home are at certain risks. The following are risks attached to detoxing alcohol at home and withdrawal:

Lack of medical attention
Low success rate
Possibility of life-threatening symptoms

Pros of Detoxing at Home

Detoxing at home can benefit individuals in a variety of ways. Some of the benefits of detoxing at home are listed below:

Comfortability of the familiar environment
Room for privacy and anonymity
Saves money

How Withdrawal Relates to Alcohol Dependency

When an individual dependent on alcohol abruptly reduces or stops the intake of the substance, withdrawal symptoms ensue.

Alcohol Dependence, Withdrawal, and Relapse

The physiologic dependence on alcohol by an individual is known as Alcohol Dependence. When an individual decides to do alcohol detoxification, the individual may experience some withdrawal symptoms. Relapse takes place when the individual stops maintaining their detox goals and returns to their previous alcohol level of intake.

What is Considered Alcohol Dependence?

Alcohol dependence in an individual means that the individual will not be able to function fully without the intake of alcohol. These individuals consider alcohol to be their top priority in life.

What Happens During Alcohol Dependence?

In this case, the individual’s body becomes reliant on alcohol, and they have an increased desire to feel the effect of alcohol.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholism

Some of the signs and symptoms of alcoholism in individuals are:

Memory loss
Drowsiness
Poor coordination

Three Stages of Alcoholism

Listed below are the three stages of alcoholism:

Stage 1: Early Stage of Alcoholism: The early stage is the developmental stage where a pattern of the misuse of alcohol begins. At this stage, the individuals find reasons to consume more alcohol, which becomes regular.
Stage 2: Middle Stage of Alcoholism: At this stage, drinking alcohol becomes more frequent and consistent in the individual’s daily life. It starts to affect their relationships with families and friends negatively.
Stage 3: Late or End Stage of Alcoholism: The individual’s body begins to strongly require alcohol at this stage to function properly and feel normal.

Taking the Next Step – Alcohol Detox

When an individual notices any alcohol addiction, it is best to seek professional help for a detox.