Did you know that three in every four people who struggle with addictions eventually end up recovering? If you drink an excessive amount of alcohol you can decide to stop and be successful. Withdrawal symptoms are something you will have to face but you will also see immediate results.
There are many factors involved in how long it fully takes to detox from alcohol because learning how to manage anxiety for days after drinking really depends on your current mental and physical state. Your personal history will determine how long alcohol rehab takes and how long it takes you to detox from alcohol.
Knowing how long it takes to get alcohol out of your system will give you clarity about the discomfort you experience from a 5 day hangover or intense cravings. Many luxury centers for Nashville residents provide a peaceful environment to focus on healing during the early stages of your personal sobriety journey and lasting wellness.
There are many types of alcoholism treatment programs at rehabs in Tennessee offering extra support. If you are searching for rehab around the Nashville area or need support by the Knoxville area, we offer professional help at Apex Recovery. Our team can guide you toward a life defined by health rather than dependency. Contact us today.
What to Expect When You Stop Drinking
There are different kinds of withdrawal symptoms that will set in at different times for everyone who goes through alcohol rehab. The most important circumstances that will determine the intensity of your withdrawal symptoms will be your age along with your drinking history and how much you weigh.
You might experience minor withdrawal symptoms as soon as several hours after you stop drinking. These symptoms will probably last for up to three days if you are a light drinker. Heavy drinkers may experience these symptoms for up to a week after they stop drinking.
And even though it is very rare, some people with a history of severe alcohol abuse experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms for up to a month after they stop drinking. Sobriety can bring on anxiousness and irritability for several days while the body is adjusting to the lack of dopamine regulation that the alcohol used to be in charge of. That lack of regulation might leave you feeling depressed, fatigued, or struggling to think clearly. Don’t be surprised if your body is shaky and if you experience mood swings.
Medical professionals recommend that alcoholics not try to detox without having the support of a doctor because of the varied levels of withdrawal someone might experience. It is a good idea to seek in-patient care. Even if your withdrawal symptoms are minor enough for you to detox on your own, it is still a good idea to have somebody beside you in case you run into challenges you didn’t expect.
How to Detox From Drinking Alcohol
Sometimes doctors at alcohol rehab centers may decide to prescribe one or more of several different medications to assist addiction treatment. Here are some of the most commonly used medications and vitamins that are important for you to know about before starting treatment.
Benzodiazepines
Healthcare professionals prescribe these medications to people who are at risk of having seizures during alcohol withdrawal. The most common types of benzodiazepines are diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), and lorazepam (Ativan).
Neuroleptic Medications
These types of medications prevent people from having seizures and from feeling agitated. They work by depressing nervous system activity.
Nutritional Vitamins for Support
Micronutrients such as thiamine, magnesium, and folic acid, are important to have in your system during the rehabilitation process. The main purpose doctors prescribe these are to help patients replenish nutrients that are lacking from their bodies as a result of alcohol use.
The Timeline for Alcohol Withdrawal
The first symptoms of withdrawal come up within six hours or less after you stop drinking.
In more extreme cases, you might start having auditory or visual hallucinations between twelve and twenty-four hours after you quit drinking. More commonly though, you’ll probably have the shakes or some gastrointestinal issues along with impaired sleep and headaches. As you move past the twenty-four hours post starting alcohol detox, you might continue to have headaches and tremors depending on the severity of your alcoholism.
You should expect your symptoms to peak after twenty-four hours if you are experiencing mild alcohol withdrawal. For most individuals in recovery after about five days, your symptoms will start to decrease. A small percentage of people experience severe alcohol withdrawal (Delirium Tremens), which can cause a rapid heart rate and a fever and might even experience seizures. People with Delirium Tremens will feel the worst around seventy-two hours after they stop drinking.
Alcohol Rehab Guide: The Long Term Outlook
Most people who quit drinking are able to return to living healthy and meaningful lives once their withdrawal symptoms pass. There is unfortunately also the possibility for permanent organ damage that lasts throughout your lifetime in individuals who have a severe alcohol use disorder.
Sleeping troubles and mood swings may persist after you finish your treatment at an alcohol rehab center, but are usually not something that will carry on through time.
If you want to remain sober long-term, then it is a good idea to consider continuing to get professional help. This may look like seeing a therapist regularly, attending twelve-step meetings or AA, and making proactive lifestyle choices with guidance from aftercare programs.
Why Do People Experience Alcohol Withdrawal?
Drinking alcohol on a regular basis for a long period of time conditions your body to have a chemical dependence for alcohol. The need for the substance can be so great that stopping immediately places your body and brain in shock.
Alcohol tends to suppress the brain’s neurotransmitters, so they need to readjust in order to start functioning correctly without the influence of alcohol.
Why It’s Important to Get Professional Help
Working with medical professionals who specialize in alcohol detox will give you a higher chance at successfully recovering from your substance use. Even though it can be challenging to reach out and go through alcohol rehab, it is important to keep in mind that you will start feeling better. You can make a difference in your life and begin the road to recovery from alcoholism.
Reclaiming Your Future Through Alcohol Abstinence
Quitting alcohol starts with admitting you have a problem. Once you recognize your need for help is a good idea think about alcohol rehab programs. Sometimes, depending how long you’ve been drinking, how old you are, and how much you weigh, you may experience a wide variety of withdrawal symptoms. You may wonder how long it takes to detox from alcohol and how to manage anxiety for days after drinking, so we want to help you find a sense of what your recovery will look like.
Do you or somebody you love struggle with alcohol addiction? Then, fill out our confidential contact form so we can help you to get on track to getting sober. There are even specialized environments that our luxury Nashville rehabs provides if you’re looking for extra comfort. When you contact us, we can help you find the reassurance you need and help you understand more about how long it fully takes to detox from alcohol safely.
There are dedicated programs for every walk of life. Rehab for mothers considers every family member, and makes sure the expectant mother receives the support and medical guidance necessary for a healthy transition to sobriety. Other programs also, like rehab for seniors, take special considerations when focusing on long-term health. Christian recovery program offer a place where people can find spiritual strength as well as professional help for alcohol addiction.
Navigating a 5 day hangover is often the first sign that you need to get alcohol out of your system for good no matter how long it takes. Regardless of how long alcohol rehab takes for your specific needs, help is just a phone call away. If you have concerns about your financial situation, our team will explain all the rehab cost factors and help you find a sustainable path through even just a 30 day rehab today.
Please call (877) 881-2689 to begin your recovery journey now.
