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Here’s What to Expect During a 7-Day Alcohol Detox

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Did you know that over 85% of adults in the US have consumed alcohol at some point? Using alcohol long-term increases your risk for chronic illnesses like heart disease and cancer and can also seriously impact your mental health. Your first step towards remedying the toll your alcohol use has taken is an alcohol detox program. Contact our admissions so we can help you understand how alcohol withdrawal affects your body.

There are a variety of Tennessee rehab programs available to you and more specialized luxury centers by Nashville. Apex Recovery’s facilities in Tennessee can provide the professional environment necessary for success. Entering a 7 day alcohol detox will support you through the difficult withdrawal process. The detox timeline alcohol withdrawal follows creates certain physical and mental shifts you should be prepared for. Knowing what is to come as you work toward being day 7 sober will increase your likelihood of success.

Apex Recovery has experienced staff running all of our one week alcohol detox programs. Our rehabs near Nashville and other support close to Knoxville have the ability to enroll you in 7 day rehab programs. Keep reading to learn about the changes that you can experience during a 1 week alcohol free period. We want you to know that a comprehensive 7 day alcohol detox program like ours is possible. Reach out today so we can help you decide if 7 day detox might be right for you.

Overview of Alcohol Withdrawal and Detox

If you drink a large amount of alcohol regularly, the neurotransmitters in your brain adjust to the alcohol present in your body. Alcohol suppresses the neurotransmitters in your brain, making you feel relaxed after drinking.

When these neurotransmitters are no longer suppressed by alcohol, your brain becomes overstimulated, which leads to mental and physical symptoms known as alcohol withdrawal. If you abruptly stop drinking, you’ll start detoxing from alcohol on your own and start experiencing symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. These symptoms start occurring over a specific period of time and can start as early as five hours after your last drink.

Alcohol Detox Timeline

The alcohol detox symptoms that occur once you stop drinking vary for each person, but most people follow this timeline and go through each stage.

Stage 1

The first stage of detox typically begins between 5 and 8 hours after your last drink. Symptoms at this stage usually peak between 24 to 48 hours after you stop drinking, but sometimes they can last longer. In this stage, you can expect symptoms such as:

  • Vomiting
  • Sweating
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Anxiety
  • A rapid pulse and low blood pressure
  • Rapid breathing

Stage 2

Stage 2 occurs between 24 to 72 hours after you stop drinking. Symptoms may include high blood pressure, rapid pulse, confusion, and, in more extreme cases, hallucinations.

Stage 3

Stage 3 usually starts about 72 hours after drinking and can last up to five days. Symptoms can be more severe at this stage and include fevers, agitation, and seizures.

Sometimes, you can have a severe type of alcohol withdrawal called delirium tremens. This condition occurs when you stop drinking alcohol after drinking heavily for a long time period. You’re more likely to get this condition if you don’t eat enough food during your withdrawal period or have a history of alcohol withdrawal. Delirium tremens is a medical emergency will involve symptoms like heavy sweating, chest pain, vomiting, seizures, and rapid muscle tremors.

Overview of a 7-Day Alcohol Detox Program

Finishing alcohol withdrawal without professional help is risky considering the possibility that your physical state can take a turn for the worse in a matter of hours. Checking into a specialized center is the safest and surest way to get through that first week while your organs finally clear out any leftover alcohol and scrub the toxins from your blood. You won’t have to face the hard parts alone, because a medical team stays on the floor day and night to make sure you stay physically stable.

The steps for 7-day detox programs like Apex Recovery’s alcohol therapy program will include:

Intake

As you arrive specialists have a look at your background and discuss with you how alcohol has been affecting your life. You will usually sit down for these private talks with a doctor who then gives you a full medical check to see if there are other health problems to watch out for. We take all those details and use them to put together a healing plan that matches your mood and your physical strength right then.

Detox

The alcohol detox phase usually subsides in about a week, but a detox schedule depends on how each individual’s body handles the stress of quitting. Sometimes it can be a more extended period if your symptoms are more severe or if you have been drinking heavily for a number of years.

Our clinicians and staff will regularly measure your heart rate and blood pressure and administer you meds, if they are considered necessary for recovery. Some medications may be used during treatment to settle your stomach and calm your nerves, but they are not intended to be a replacement for alcohol. Staying safe is the most important part of the stay. Everything we do is so we can to make sure you can actually rest and heal.

Therapy

Therapy work generally becomes the most beneficial when your detox phase is over and your head starts to clear. You will begin to feel like you have your strength back, so the focus turns to your mental health. A strong mind is the most effective angle to approach staying sober for good.

At Apex, we use methods like motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) because they work to build inner strength and implement healthy changes to your life. CBT is built to help you catch any bad mental habits that may lead you to fall into a relapse. Therapy is about learning to deal with stress or social pressure without needing a drink.

Navigating Your 7 Day Alcohol Detox Safely

Choosing to begin a 7 day alcohol detox can be a life-changing decision. Making that decision means acceptance that have a problem and knowing you should seek a comfortable space where you can feel safe as you recover. One week alcohol detox may seem pretty straightforward, but there are difficult physical and psychological shifts you will face through the process. Going at it alone puts you at risk, so reach out for help. If 7 days is too short, you can seamlessly transfer into a longer 30 day rehab program in one of Apex Tennessee Recovery’s facilities. For those seeking specialized environments, our luxury Nashville rehab options offer a therapeutic place of healing.

The detox timeline alcohol withdrawal follows is unique to every individual. You can get peace of mind by entering a program and gaining access to a professional who knows how to manage symptoms effectively. Our clinicians are on your side; they take your life stages and circumstances into account. We offer ways to reach dedicated support for elderly senior care, because we know that every patient needs age-appropriate medical attention. Do not take unnecessary risks by attempting to detox from alcohol alone.

Be aware of these aforementioned dangers and seek professional help. Unmonitored withdrawal can lead to severe complications like seizures or delirium tremens. Our team is here to support specific needs. We find help for mothers and can connect you to Christian recovery paths if you wish to integrate your faith into your journey. If you want to know a bit more about the rehab program costs to become 1 week alcohol free, call our team at (877) 881-2689 to learn about your options and start your recovery.