Waking up each morning with the shakes isn’t pleasant. Because you spend so much time drinking and recovering, life’s passing you by. You want to quit, but you fear the withdrawal symptoms. A detox from alcohol with medical monitoring is the safest and most comfortable way to begin recovery.
The Typical Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline
How long does it take to detox from alcohol? Everyone’s different. However, detox from alcohol seems to follow a general timeline. Usually, people check into an alcohol detox center right around the time that they have the shakes.
That’s about eight hours after the last drink. Over time, the shakes get worse. Your stomach’s in turmoil. Headaches, anxiety, and severe sweating worsen, too.
The next two days could be potentially dangerous. That’s why it’s essential for your safety and comfort to detox under medical supervision. Hallucinations may come on at the 24-hour mark. Experiencing seizures is possible.
Right around the 72-hour mark, there’s the risk of delirium tremens. It’s a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention. It only happens to a small number of people. Nevertheless, it’s a good idea to have doctors on stand-by just in case.
What It’s Like to Detox from Alcohol at a Facility
Comfort and safety are the hallmarks of a good-quality detox center. You undergo a variety of care approaches that help you ease off your alcohol dependency. Most importantly, you manage to break the physical addiction in as little as three to seven days. Modality options include:
- Medical monitoring during the withdrawal process
- Medication assisted treatment that curbs cravings and minimizes physical discomfort
- Process group participation that encourages you to share your thoughts and feelings throughout the process
- Psychotherapy, which lets you plan for rehab after you complete detox
- Assessment for chronic pain or dual diagnosis conditions that require specialized care
At the facility, you live with others who’re also overcoming chemical dependency. There’s a strong camaraderie that encourages you to stick with the process. Most importantly, you learn from others. In the process, you overcome the self-imposed isolation so many people with an alcohol problem encounter.
Should You Enter Rehab Right after Detox?
How long does it take to detox from alcohol? It might take you about a week. How long does rehab take? Typically, it takes about 30 days.
In some cases, you might need a little extra time to heal. It’s tempting to call it quits after a week. After all, you feel good, and your body no longer signals its need for alcohol. Besides that, you don’t wake up with the shakes.
However, that might just be a false sense of security. There are still trigger situations you need to learn to deal with. Failure to do so might send you right back into an early relapse. Almost all program participants benefit from entering rehab as soon as they finish detox.
Find out how to detox from alcohol and enter rehab at the same facility. Don’t let substance abuse issues prevent you from living your best life. A fully accredited rehabilitation facility can be a big help in finding the right path. Pillars Recovery wants to help you. Give us a call at 8667820247, and we will be happy to assist you.
