When an individual is dependent on substances like alcohol, not using or drinking can be a problem. Detoxification happens once an individual stops using or drinking alcoholic drinks and substances start to leave their system. But, how long does the process take? While people go through detoxification, they can develop symptoms of withdrawal. In some instances, these symptoms can be pretty life-threatening.
When an individual is ready to quit drinking alcohol, they need to consider looking for professional help to minimize withdrawal syndromes’ intensity. This article will take a closer at how long it will take to detoxify from alcohol. We will also discuss signs and symptoms of addictions, symptoms that people can expect during detox, and how to treat these signs and symptoms.
Check out this site for more info about how addiction takes over the brain.
How long does it take?
According to AAC or the American Addiction Centers, detoxification takes about one to two weeks. But people may find that their signs and symptoms will continue for a lot longer. In some cases, people can expect the timeline mentioned below:
About eight hours after the first shot, the first stage of withdrawal signs and symptoms starts.
After about one to three days, signs usually peak.
After five to seven days, signs of withdrawal may minimize in intensity.
After the first seven days, some side effects, especially psychological symptoms, may continue.
Withdrawal symptoms
Withdrawal signs usually happen in three stages:
Stage 1: The first signs include nausea, insomnia, abdominal pain, and anxiety. It starts within eight hours of a person’s last drink.
Stage 2: Manifestations can include increased body temperature, high blood pressure, confusion, and abnormal heart rate. These indications usually start one to three days after a person’s last drink.
Stage 3: Manifestations usually start about two to four days after the last drink and can include agitation, hallucinations, seizures, and fever.
As alcohol leaves the body, people need to start to notice manifestations decreasing. A lot of individuals tend to notice a reduction in signs within five to seven days. In addition to physical manifestations, people will most likely experience psychological side effects like anxiety or alcohol cravings.
And lastly, it is imperative to note that an individual could encounter problems that are life-threatening because of withdrawals in some cases. According to experts, the withdrawal happens when people stop drinking after prolonged and heavy use.
Experts also note that individuals can experience withdrawal manifestations whether they have been drinking for years, months, or weeks. These symptoms can be pretty dangerous, especially if people experience some seizures or hallucinations. Thus, experts advise going to rehab facilities, where the staff can help them monitor the worsening withdrawal syndromes.
Visit https://www.healthline.com/health/hallucinations to know more about hallucinations.
Treatment
When detoxification occurs in medical facilities, professionals usually use medications to help treat withdrawal syndromes. Medical professionals may prescribe benzodiazepines to treat or manage seizures and other withdrawal manifestations. In these facilities, healthcare teams will monitor people’s body temperature, breathing, and blood pressure.
In some instances, people may choose to minimize their consumption moderately over several days or weeks. During these times, they need to work with medical professionals or healthcare providers to develop schedules that people can safely follow to minimize dependency.
If people slowly detox, they may be able to avoid alcohol withdrawal manifestations. A physician can also recommend dietary changes or health supplements like Vitamin B9 or folic acid and B1 or thiamine to help our body cope up with minimizing alcohol intake.
When to look for help
Individuals need to look for help if they notice that they have indications of alcohol-use disorder. Looking for help can be pretty tough for individuals who are struggling with this type of addiction. Friends and family members can also aid by letting the addicted individual know that they have someone who can help them in their problem.
Suppose individuals are not sure whether they need help. In that case, they can read psych news or ask medical experts about tools like the CAGE questionnaire, which is a valid and reliable questionnaire that medical professionals can use to screen a person for treatment. If people can answer yes to at least two of the questionnaire questions, they need to consider looking for help.
Summary
It takes at least one week to detoxify the body from alcohol in some instances. Individuals can sometimes become very dependent on these substances within a couple of weeks, but it can take a couple of years in some cases. When individuals decide to quit alcohol, they need to consider asking professionals for help. The help may take the form of working with medical experts or rehabilitation facilities to minimize substance consumption gradually over a couple of weeks.
