You’re waking up to the shakes. You know it’s a withdrawal symptom. It’s time to quit drinking. But you want to know, how long does it take to detox from alcohol?
Understanding the Importance of Detoxing From Alcohol
Before you can enroll in the Bayview alcohol addiction rehab center in Tacoma, WA, you need to quit drinking. Right now, this sounds like a tall order. After all, you feel miserable six to eight hours after the last drink. In fact, you feel so bad that you drink for breakfast when others have coffee.
However, it’s possible to overcome a drinking problem. Because the alcohol detox timeline comes with several dangerous possibilities, it’s essential not to quit cold turkey. Rather, work with a detox facility that understands what you’re going through. Most importantly, know what happens to take the fear of withdrawal out of the equation.
It’s important to remember that your body comes to rely on alcohol. In other words, you begin to need it in order for basic bodily functions to continue as they should. For instance, you can’t sleep because your body has adapted to the sedative. As a result, you experience agitation, anxiety, and tremors. You also experience dehydration when you need water more than ever.
Through the process of alcohol detox, your body will rid itself of toxins in order to deal with withdrawal symptoms. It takes this action because it doesn’t have the option of indiscriminately putting alcohol into your blood. As a result, your body has to work very hard to focus on dealing with toxicity.
The path toward reclaiming your life begins with knowing what happens when detoxing the body from alcohol. Once you understand the process, you’ll know what to expect during your treatment. This knowledge will help you make informed decisions about your future.
How Long Does it Take to Detox from Alcohol?
Your individual alcohol detox timeline depends on your age, overall health, and daily alcohol intake. Besides that, you should also factor in how long you’ve been abusing alcohol. That said, there are some commonalities in withdrawal that most people experience.
For example, your first full day of alcohol withdrawal will bring shakes and gastrointestinal upset. At a detox facility, therapists will administer IV treatments to prevent dehydration. These treatments also provide nutrients to keep you healthy. Some people encounter hallucinations.
Therapists are on hand to provide comfort and support. Day two continues along the same lines. If you caught your alcohol use disorder early, you might peak at this point. Therapists can assist with medications to combat intense cravings.
Some people continue to experience signs of withdrawal. For them, day three brings a possibility for delirium tremens. It’s a rare event that nevertheless requires immediate intervention from medical personnel.
Moving on to Rehab
How long does it take to detox from alcohol all in all? It takes about a week. Imagine yourself waking up in a week and not having signs of withdrawal! Once you reach this point, it’s time to enter rehab.
Although you no longer have a physical addiction, there’s still psychological dependency. At rehab, you overcome it. Care options include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy encourages you to replace negative self-talk with healthy coping mechanisms
- Dialectical behavior treatment that empowers you to take control of emotions
- Family therapy, which helps loved ones rebuild trust and find healthy ways of communicating with you
- Psychotherapy, which benefits program participants who struggle with underlying depression or anxiety
- Trauma treatment as a tool for dealing with destructive memories from the past that creates alcohol use triggers
Don’t Consider Rehab Optional
You enter detox at a facility because of the health risks that come from ending a drinking problem. You understand that medical intervention at the right time eliminates pain and minimizes discomfort. Similarly, you know that there may be potentially life-threatening signs of withdrawal that call for treatment.
The same goes for the psychological aspect of alcohol addiction. It’s not something you can deal with on your own. Instead, you need the assistance of specialists who recognize triggers and stressors in your life. They then work with you to heal.
So, how long does it take to detox from alcohol in your case? Contact Bayview Recovery, and find out. Therapists are standing by at 855.478.3650.
