How long is alcohol detox? That is a complicated question. The length of detox depends on a wide range of factors, including:
- How long you have been drinking
- The type of alcohol you have been drinking
- The frequency and amount you drink
- Your weight and overall body chemistry
- If you have been mixing alcohol with other substances
The alcohol detox timeline can last between two days and two weeks. Even after the initial withdrawal symptoms wear off, a client may continue to experience cravings, anxiety, or depression.
How Long-Term Drinking Leads to Dependency
When you ask the question, “How long is alcohol detox?” the answer depends on how deep-rooted psychological dependency is on the substance.
Alcohol is both a stimulant and a depressant. Therefore, it alters brain function. When you first start drinking, you may feel relaxed or intoxicated. The more you drink, the more the effects wear off. As a result, you may increase your consumption levels to continue feeling the side effects.
Over time, your body and mind form a dependency on the substance, but at Recovery Ways, we can walk you through the alcohol detox timeline. Prolonged use causes intense cravings. You may get to the point where you can’t get through the day without drinking. When you decide to stop drinking, you may experience mild to severe withdrawal symptoms. You may also suffer from health problems or mental health issues.
Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline
How long is alcohol detox? Let’s take a closer look at the timeline.
When you stop drinking alcohol, you will go through three main stages of an alcohol detox program:
Stage One: Withdrawal Symptoms
‘Crashing’ usually means that you have gone from an extreme high to an extreme low. You may experience fatigue, stomach problems, hallucinations, sweating & chills, muscle spasms, headaches, and irritability.
Stage one of your detox can last for three to five days. During this time, a treatment specialist will monitor your symptoms and even provide medication to help with the withdrawals. If you can get through stage one, you are more likely to recover with less chance for a relapse.
Stage Two: Cravings
Eventually, your body will clean itself out. All traces of alcohol will disappear from your system. However, you will still experience cravings that could for several months. With the proper treatment and support from your therapist, family, and a support group, you can manage the cravings and overcome your urges.
Stage Three: Recovery
Regardless of how severe your addiction is, recovery is possible. Much of it depends on your desire to quit. Once you get through the detox period, you have access to a wide range of treatment plans that include:
- Inpatient or outpatient treatment
- Treatment for mental health disorders
- Individual, family, and group therapy
- Evidence-based treatment
- Holistic treatment
- Men’s and women’s treatment centers
Once you take the first step and enter a detox program, a therapist can meet with you to develop a treatment plan. You will discover lots of options for treatment that are suited to your goals, your addiction, and your life circumstances. The good news is that you never have to battle your addiction alone. You will receive ongoing support from professionals that care about your recovery.
Find the Answer to How Long Is Alcohol Detox Today
How long is alcohol detox? Find out at Recovery Ways. We have the facilities, treatment plans, and staff that can give you everything you need to quit. Find out more about our treatment options by calling us at 888.986.7848.
