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Outpatient detox can be an option if you have mild to moderate symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. In this treatment setting, you would typically visit your health care provider each day and return to a safe, supportive environment between appointments. Some people are apprehensive to quit drinking because they’re nervous about the withdrawal symptoms experienced during alcohol detox. While some people may only be affected by minor effects of alcoholism, others may face extreme pain.
When individuals use alcohol over a long period, their brain chemistry changes. Because alcohol is a depressant, the body responds by producing more stimulating chemicals. This includes the neurotransmitters dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This creation of stimulating neurotransmitters temporarily restores chemical homeostasis. It is the body’s attempt to counteract the effects of long-term alcohol use.
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Withdrawal symptoms can be mild to severe, but they can be life-threatening in some cases. For most people going through detox, alcohol withdrawal symptoms will begin within the first eight hours. The severity of alcohol withdrawal can be categorized into three levels or stages—mild, moderate, and severe. This framework can be used to assess and describe the symptoms that a person is experiencing.
- John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine.
- Delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal involving sudden mental or nervous system changes.
- You’ll begin needing more alcohol in order to feel the same effects, which is known as tolerance.
Going through alcohol detox at home can be dangerous for someone with alcohol addiction. People with severe alcoholism who suddenly stop drinking can experience dangerous alcohol withdrawal symptoms that they may not know how to manage. If you have been drinking heavily for an extended period of time, it is possible that your body has become physically dependent on alcohol. In this case, stopping alcohol use suddenly can be dangerous and can cause withdrawal symptoms such as tremors, seizures, and even delirium. There are many options for professional alcohol detox that a person can choose from. This process focuses on keeping the individual as safe and comfortable as possible during detox.
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The withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe, based on how dependent on alcohol a person has become. Detoxing from alcohol at home can be dangerous or even deadly if the withdrawal symptoms are severe. Quitting alcohol cold turkey is extremely dangerous and exacerbates withdrawal symptoms, so safely detoxing from alcohol involves gradually https://www.excel-medical.com/5-tips-to-consider-when-choosing-a-sober-living-house/ tapering off your alcohol consumption. During medical detox, your doctor will design an appropriate detox plan to ensure you withdraw from alcohol carefully. They will continually monitor and evaluate your symptoms, adjusting your plan and treatment if necessary. Alcohol detox is the process of removing alcohol and all its toxins from your body.
When speaking with your medical professional about how to detox from alcohol, they will tell you it’s the first step of a comprehensive rehab program. If you are facing withdrawal symptoms, you should address the root of the problem by getting professional help and undergoing treatment after detox. The amount of time that it takes for alcohol to completely leave your bloodstream depends on multiple factors, including age, gender, health, genetic makeup and history of alcohol use. According to the National Library of Medicine, alcohol withdrawal typically begins within eight hours after the last drink, but it can also take a few days to begin in some cases.
Stop Asking “How Long?” And Start Detoxing
Depending on the severity of their condition, patients can receive treatment at inpatient treatment, an intensive outpatient program (IOP), or a partial hospitalization program (PHP). These rehab programs offer individual and group counseling, family therapy, 12-step programs, and dual diagnosis treatment, among other evidence-based treatments. These treatment programs help people in early recovery develop healthy routines, stay accountable, and maintain their motivation to stay sober.
