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What is the Timeline for Alcohol Detox?

Alcohol addiction is all too common of an issue. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 140,557 Americans die from alcohol abuse yearly. 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 12 have an alcohol use disorder. 60% of Americans increased their alcohol consumption due to the pandemic lockdown. 

While help is available for alcohol addiction, many people are reluctant to take the first steps. This is primarily because they know they will experience withdrawal symptoms. These appear as the body tries to adjust to sobriety. The symptoms are unpleasant to deal with and cause many people to relapse. 

While there’s no way to escape withdrawal symptoms, knowing the timeline for alcohol detox will familiarize you with what to expect, so there are no surprises. Read on to find out what’s involved when you detox from alcohol. 

Is Alcohol Addictive?

Alcohol causes the brain to release chemicals like dopamine and endorphins. Once these effects wear off, it’s natural for the person to continue to want to experience these sensations. This makes them want to drink more. 

Over time, they will begin building a tolerance for alcohol, so they will need to drink more to get the same effects. 

Their body will also start getting used to having alcohol in their system. It will be unable to function properly when alcohol isn’t present in their body resulting in withdrawal symptoms. 

The person knows the only way to get rid of withdrawal symptoms short-term is to drink more alcohol. This gets them caught up in the vicious cycle of addiction. 

What are the Signs of Alcoholism?

There are several telltale signs of alcoholism. They include the following: 

  • Slurred speech
  • Drinking until losing consciousness or not remembering what happened the morning after drinking
  • Impacted coordination and motor skills
  • Poor judgment and engaging in risky behavior
  • Poor reaction times
  • Hiding your alcohol use from others

What is the Timeline for Alcohol Detox?

Detox is typically the first stage of alcohol recovery. The alcohol detox timeline will vary depending on how much you were drinking and for how long, but here’s a rough idea of what it will look like.  

  • 6-12 hours after the last drink: Minor symptoms will appear, such as excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting, tremors, hypertension, rapid breathing, elevated heart rate, and a rise in body temperature. 
  • 12-24 hours after the last drink: At this point, the patient may start experiencing hallucinations. They may also get pins and needles sensations. 
  • 24-48 hours after the last drink: The symptoms the person was previously experiencing may worsen in some people and become milder in others. It’s also possible for seizures to occur at this point in the timeline for alcohol detox, which may require a trip to the hospital.
  • 48-72 hours after the last drink: This is the phase when withdrawal symptoms are typically at their worse. While most will experience increased symptoms such as tremors and digestive issues, others may display Delirium Tremens, a hyperactive activity that can lead to cardiac arrest in rare cases. 

After the 72 hours is over, withdrawal symptoms will begin to dissipate. They will typically go away completely in 10-14 days. In some instances, Delirium Tremens may continue for five days or more. 

Finding an Alcohol Detox Program in Washington

Detoxing from alcohol is not easy to deal with. Still, the right rehab will provide a staff that will keep you as comfortable as possible, administer medications to relieve symptoms and oversee the process to ensure relapse doesn’t occur. If you are looking for a medical detox program in Washington that’s right for you, look no further than Sequoia Detox Centers. 

Sequoia Detox Centers specializes in detoxing patients dealing with a variety of addictions. We offer private rooms, an on-site pharmacy, and catering services. Our Spokane detox facility is clean, and contemporary and offers a soothing atmosphere to residents. Detox from alcohol isn’t easy to get through. But once you make it to the other side, you will find that it’s all worthwhile. Contact Sequoia Detox Centers to take advantage of an alcohol detox timeline that’s as pleasant as possible. Then look forward to enjoying a happier, healthier quality of life.

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