Undergoing an intensive treatment program for alcohol addiction can be a bit scary when you do not know what to expect. If your healthcare provider has asked you to enter an inpatient program, they may have also suggested that you go through an alcohol detox program first. While it may seem intimidating, alcohol detox plays a crucial part in your recovery journey.
If you reside in Los Angeles (CA), you can find a number of rehab centers in your area. You can speak to your healthcare provider and pick a Los Angeles alcohol detox program that suits your needs. But before you do that, it is important to understand what to expect from the process of alcohol detoxification.
What Is Alcohol Detox?
Alcohol detoxification is the first step towards recovery for people suffering from alcoholism. It is the process that helps an individual’s body adjust to the absence of alcohol. It is recommended to perform alcohol detox in a controlled, medically supervised environment.
Since unpleasant or painful withdrawal effects typically follow alcohol detoxification, the detox process involves a combination of medication, therapy, and other forms of support. Such medical assistance helps individuals manage withdrawal symptoms and ensure their safety.
How Long Does Alcohol Detox Usually Take?
Depending on the circumstances, alcohol detox may take about a whole week. However, it may take longer than that in severe cases. In general, the amount of time needed for an alcohol detoxification process depends on a number of factors.
- How frequently and how much alcohol does the person consume
- Whether the person uses additional drugs or substances along with alcohol
- Whether the person has any underlying medical or mental health issues
- Age
- Gender
- Body weight
- Family history
Even if you complete the detox program, it may take several weeks or months for your body to heal your mind fully and get over addictive habits and behaviors.
What Are the Common Symptoms Experienced During Alcohol Detox?
The symptoms experienced during alcohol detox differ among individuals. They typically emerge within hours to a day after you have your last drink.
Mild Detox Symptoms
Mild symptoms usually emerge within 12-24 hours after you had your last drink. They include:
- Anxiety
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Vomiting
Even though these symptoms may seem unpleasant, they are usually manageable with medical support. They are basically your body’s initial response to the absence of alcohol.
Severe Detox Symptoms
In certain cases, detox can result in more severe symptoms, such as hallucinations, seizures, or confusion. These symptoms usually appear within 48-72 hours after your last drink. In rare cases, individuals may also develop a serious condition called delirium tremens. You may experience severe confusion, seizures, and possibly a coma when you have this condition.
What Usually Happens During the Alcohol Detox Process?
While the bodies of different individuals respond differently to the process of alcohol detox, most experiences can be segmented into four stages.
Early Stage
Both withdrawal and detox can begin as early as just a couple of hours after the last drink. However, they usually occur around 6-24 hours after the last drink. During this stage, the symptoms are generally mild. So, the individual does not typically require any medication at this stage.
Peak Stage
In this stage, people are most likely to relapse. It generally occurs between 24-48 hours after the last drink. As all of the alcohol leaves the body during this stage, the withdrawal symptoms start to get worse. During this period, medication and therapy are considered essential.
Weakening Stage
As individuals enter this stage of alcohol detoxification, their bodies start to grow accustomed to the absence of alcohol. As a result, the withdrawal symptoms begin to subside. The healthcare professional monitoring the process can reduce the dosage or stop the medication depending on the condition.
Final Stage
This stage usually lasts between 5 to 14 days after the detoxification process starts. As the individuals approach the end of the detox, they prepare themselves for the residential treatment that follows.
Wrapping Up
Before you decide to undergo alcohol detox, you must consult a healthcare practitioner. The professional expert will be able to guide you through the detoxification process and tell you how to approach your treatment process for alcohol addiction. You won’t have to worry about anything as long as you follow their advice.
