How Long Does It Take To Detox from Alcohol

How Long to Detox from Alcohol

Alcohol abuse is a serious problem, with an estimated 88,000 people dying each year due to alcohol-related issues. Out of the estimated 15.1 million people who have alcohol use disorder, more commonly thought of as alcoholism or alcohol addiction, just 8.3 percent of those who need it sought help. For many, the discomfort of detoxing from alcohol coupled with the physical craving by the body to consume more often outweighs the desire to seek help.

Detox From Alcohol At Home Is Not Wise

Believe it or not, alcohol is actually one of the most dangerous drugs from which to detox. This is because some of the alcohol detox symptoms, such as seizures and excessive dehydration, can be life threatening. In the most serious of cases, a condition known as delirium tremens might occur, and those at risk of this condition should only detox under medical supervision. It is important to understand what to expect, including how long the detoxification process will take, before starting.

How Long Does It Take to Detox?

For most people, detoxing from alcohol lasts between 5 to 14 days. There are many circumstances that affect the length and severity of the detox, including the how long a person has had a drinking problem, the number of drinks the person consumed per day and whether or not the person also abused other drugs. A person’s body chemistry, natural detoxification ability, gender, age and current health also play a significant role in the severity and duration of alcohol detox symptoms.

Symptoms of Alcohol Detox: Stage One 0-72 Hours

There are three stages of detoxing from alcohol. The first stage can start even when a person is still intoxicated, as long as he or she is no longer imbibing alcohol and their blood alcohol level has already started to decrease. This stage lasts for up to three days and is the period of time when most succumb to the desire to drink again in hopes of finding relief. Without a safe and controlled environment, these alcohol detox symptoms will play havoc with the patient’s psyche as well as the need for physical relief.

  • Nausea
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Anxiety
  • Tremors
  • Restlessness

A percentage of people will experience more severe symptoms, including increased blood pressure, rapid breathing an accelerated pulse, and seizures.

Stage Two of Detox: 2-5 Days

The next stage of detoxing from alcohol occurs from days two to five. Although many people will start to see a decrease in their symptoms, some of the more severe symptoms, including delirium tremens, might arise for some individuals.

Stage Three of Detox: After 5 Days

Although most people have fully completed detoxing from alcohol after one week, in some individuals it might take longer. Being physically removed from alcohol is just the beginning of a life long journey to get and stay sober. There are often other secondary alcohol detox symptoms including:

  • Fatigue
  • Mood swings
  • Depression
  • Reduced libido
  • Anxiety
  • Hostility
  • Insomnia

These symptoms are known as protracted or post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAW). For those experiencing these symptoms, it is beneficial to discuss them with a medical professional and learn ways to mitigate them. Livengrin Foundation offers several inpatient and outpatient alcohol treatment programs that are designed to help the successfully enter the world of recovery. These treatment programs can help to reduce the risk for relapse, since many of these post acute withdrawal symptoms can also act as triggers for relapse.

We are currently building a new alcohol detoxification facility because the demand for these services continues to grow. Here is peek at the architectural renderings for this new facility.

Alcohol Detox Facility in Bucks County