What to Expect in Alcohol Detox

Alcohol addiction is a serious, life-threatening condition, but recovery is possible with the right tools. Rehabilitation centers help people get sober so they can reclaim their lives. Before starting rehabilitation, the first step is going through detox. Knowing what the detox process looks like can help patients set expectations on what’s to come.

What Is Alcohol Detox?

Alcohol detoxification is the process of quitting all alcohol consumption and ridding the body of any traces of alcohol. When a person has been drinking regularly for a while, their body adjusts to having a steady stream of alcohol. So, when that supply is suddenly cut off, the body detoxes the alcohol. This process is also sometimes called alcohol withdrawal because the body responds to the abrupt cutoff with withdrawal symptoms.

What Is the Detox Process?

So, what is detox like? Alcohol detox can be a challenging step for many people. Your body and mind have become used to a regular supply of alcohol, and breaking that dependence is hard.

Alcohol detox starts with mild withdrawal symptoms in the first 6 to 24 hours. You may experience headaches, anxiety, irritability, nausea, insomnia, and shaking.

As you reach the 24-hour mark, your symptoms will typically intensify. In addition to the above symptoms, you may also experience hand tremors, seizure,s and hallucinations.

For many people, day 2 is the most challenging. This is when symptoms are the most severe, and some people experience panic attacks at this stage.

By day 3, you’ll notice a gradual decline in the intensity of symptoms. You’ll likely still experience them anywhere from days 3 to 7, but they’ll often come and go in waves. However, while this stage feels more manageable, it’s also the time when people are at the highest risk for life-threatening symptoms, such as delirium tremens.

Ultimately, detox looks different for everyone. The types of symptoms you get — and their severity — depend on your overall health, how long you’ve been drinking, and how much you were drinking. Those who’ve struggled with addiction longer are more likely to experience an intense detox.

Role of Medical Supervision in Detox

Alcohol withdrawal can come with life-threatening symptoms, such as seizures and cardiac complications. For this reason, it’s highly recommended that you opt for detoxification in a rehabilitation center. This will ensure you’re supervised at all times, and someone can assist if you have a medical emergency.

Additionally, detoxing in rehab means you can opt for a medically assisted withdrawal. The medical staff will provide you with medications to help reduce and relieve some of your withdrawal symptoms, making the entire detoxification process a lot more manageable.

Physical Withdrawal Symptoms

The physical withdrawal symptoms that are most common with alcohol detox are:

Emotional and Psychological Challenges of Alcohol Detox

In addition to the physical withdrawal symptoms you’ll experience with detox, there are also emotional and mental symptoms. Going through detox is hard on the body and the mind. Many people experience a range of side effects, including anxiety, insomnia, mood swings, irritability, and even depression.

When someone is going through the hardest part of detox, they might feel despair, hopelessness, and loneliness. In some severe cases, this can cause the person to self-harm or have suicidal thoughts. This is yet another reason alcohol detox in a rehabilitation center under medical watch is the optimal choice.

The good news is that these emotional symptoms usually disappear once the detox is completed. Of course, other mental health and emotional side effects may come up during rehabilitation, but that’s why talking to a therapist is critical for recovery.

Preparing for Alcohol Detox

Before starting your detox and rehabilitation program, there are a few steps you can take to prepare for what’s to come:

1. Notify work. You’re legally protected and can notify work about going into substance abuse treatment without being fired. The Family and Medical Leave Act ensures most people are entitled to up to 12 weeks of medical leave. So, your job will be protected and still there while you receive treatment. However, if you don’t want to share these personal details, arrange for time off with your employer.
2. Notify loved ones. Ensure friends and family know where you’ll be and how to contact you in an emergency.
3. Take care of financial obligations. Make sure your bills and financial obligations are handled while you’re away.
4. Pack the essentials. You only need to bring the essentials with you, so don’t overpack. And make sure to check with the rehabilitation center about allowed items.
5. Commit to the program. You’ll be given all the tools to succeed in detox and rehabilitation, but it’s ultimately up to you. Prepare yourself by having the right mindset from the beginning. Know that this will be a challenge but that you’re ready and capable to take it on. Have a list of reasons sobriety is important to you so you can remind yourself of these when you need motivation.

Post-Detox Steps Toward Recovery

After detox, individuals focus on the rehabilitation portion of recovery. Alcohol rehabilitation includes medical or psychotherapeutic treatment for addiction.

Individuals take therapy to learn what leads them to addiction and what their triggers for drinking are. They also learn coping mechanisms to reduce the risk of relapse. This is especially important as alcohol is often present everywhere you go, so people who are committed to sobriety need to learn how to work through this temptation.

Rehabilitation has both inpatient and outpatient programs. Inpatient programs allow the person to complete rehab by living within the facility. Outpatient programs require the individual to come on-site for therapy and medication and then go home.

Similar to detox programs, rehabilitation is most successful when completed in a professional program setting. Attempting to address your addiction on your own can be challenging and increases the risk of relapse. It’s important to access mental health professionals who specialize in addiction treatment and can offer their expertise.

Seeking Help Is Critical

Sadly, far too many people who struggle with alcohol addiction don’t get the help they need. It’s estimated less than 10% of people who have an alcohol use disorder receive treatment for their condition.

There are many barriers to seeking help, including shame, financial limitations, or lack of support. But treatment is the best course of action for anyone struggling with alcohol. If left untreated, addiction can lead to serious physical and mental health effects, including death. Getting help is choosing a fresh start.

FHE Health Offers Alcohol Detox Programs

Alcohol detox may sound unpleasant, but it’s a necessary step to a better life. FHE Health offers inpatient medical detox that keeps patients as safe and comfortable as possible during detoxification. We understand that each patient has unique needs, so our detox services are personalized for each individual. Contact us today to find out more.