(Newswire.net — January 20, 2021) —
Detox is a major step in a person coming clean off alcohol. The process isn’t easy but working with professionals who are ready to step in with techniques to help minimize the effects of the detox. Some of the symptoms that a person will experience during this time are troublesome; however, the reward of getting sober is a big benefit that may fuel you through this time.
While everyone is a bit different, there are some general things that you might expect if you’re going through alcohol detox. The withdrawal process usually follows a similar timeline so you can have a general idea of what to expect.
How Long Do Withdrawal Symptoms Last?
Typically, withdrawal symptoms will start around six hours after your last drink. They usually progressively get worse until they peak at around 72 hours. Once you pass that peak, they will start getting better over time. People who were heavy drinkers may experience severe withdrawal symptoms that require them to have medical monitoring.
Most people experience mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms for about a month after their last drink. While these are bothersome, they are usually manageable.
What Are the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal?
In the first 72 hours, you may experience things like the shakes, tremors, upset stomach, headache, and similar symptoms. Some heavy drinkers may also experience seizures, hallucinations, delirium, high heart rate, and fever. Those serious symptoms are the ones that require medical attention.
Throughout the first month, the nervous system is still overreactive, which is due to taking alcohol away. Alcohol is a nervous system depressant that makes the body make extra neurotransmitter receptors. Those have to be controlled when you get off the alcohol. Some of the common symptoms in the first month include:
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Rapid heart rate
- Irritability
- Tremors
- Sleep disturbances
- Depression
In some cases, people will go through a severe withdrawal experience during that first month. This is known as delirium tremens. Sometimes, it’s referred to as alcohol withdrawal delirium. The symptoms of this include:
- Seizures
- Illusions
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- High body temperature
How Can You Minimize the Symptoms of Alcohol Detox?
One of the best ways that you can minimize the symptoms of alcohol detox is to enter into a program that enables you to have the help of professionals who are familiar with the condition. This is almost always necessary for people who have become so dependent on alcohol that they don’t feel normal when they don’t have it.
Trying to quit alcohol cold-turkey might seem like something a person can do if they’re strong enough. The issue with this line of thought is that many people who have an alcohol use disorder can’t safely quit alcohol in that manner. Not only does trying to quit cold turkey put your life in danger, but it can also hamper your chance of being successful.
When you realize that you need to stop drinking alcohol, you have to be mentally prepared to fight the battle toward sobriety. You may find that it is a challenging road to walk, but it’s fully possible if you have the proper support system.