Medically Reviewed by Dr P. E. Pancoast, MD
In this article
The time it takes to recover from alcohol abuse is different for everyone. The brain typically needs at least 2 weeks to reverse the damage from alcohol.
Recovery is a lifelong goal; withdrawal is usually the hardest during the first week. Nevertheless, it’s essential to start an alcohol detox to get better.
Recovering from alcohol abuse can seem complicated and endless, which makes many people apprehensive about recovery. However, knowing what challenges and benefits to expect can make recovering from alcohol abuse more worthwhile and even easier.
In this blog post, we cover how long it takes to recover from alcohol abuse and how to maintain long-term sobriety.
Although people recover from addiction differently, most people will generally follow these stages:
While these timeframes might seem straightforward, every person will react differently to treatment. This is because every case varies, depending on how much damage has been done to your brain and body.
Over 3 million people use BetterHelp. Their services are:
Answer a few questions to get started
Alcohol abuse can cause brain matter to shrink due to brain cells changing in size. It’s a result of brain cells dying and brain tissue shrinking. However, studies have shown that the brain can begin to reverse the damages from alcohol abuse in as little as 2 weeks.2
When you stop drinking alcohol, and your body removes all residual substances, your brain cells begin to normalize. Some researchers say this is the only time that recovery truly begins.2
As the brain recovers, you can also retrain it to avoid triggering a relapse. Mindfulness and meditation can help form better habits that support long-term sobriety.
If you suddenly stop drinking, your body will react adversely to the lack of alcohol, causing alcohol withdrawal.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the severity of your alcohol use disorder (AUD). Mild symptoms include:
Moderate alcohol consumption should be relatively safe and cause mild and short-term effects. However, these effects can be amplified when you engage in heavy alcohol use or binge drinking.
Heavy alcohol users may experience severe symptoms, such as:
DT is a severe symptom of alcohol withdrawal and requires immediate medical attention. Its symptoms include:
DT can result in medical complications like cardiac arrhythmia, respiratory arrest, or aspiration pneumonitis. These conditions can lead to severe infections or death.
They’ll connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor
Find a TherapistAnswer a few questions to get started
Starting the recovery process for alcohol abuse begins with detox. This process can be done at home or in a hospital setting.
The first 48 hours are when the alcohol withdrawal symptoms are the most severe. During these episodes, people recovering from alcohol abuse are sedated to prevent exhaustion and injury.
Here’s what to expect:
An abrupt cessation of alcohol intake can manifest these symptoms as early as 6 to 8 hours after the last drink. Symptoms during this time include:
These symptoms might subside by the second day.
Some people may experience visual, auditory, and/or tactile hallucinations. Seizures might also occur during the first 12 to 48-hour time period.
Most people recovering from alcohol addiction experience mild symptoms. However, 5% of these people might experience DTs.
DTs commonly manifest 48 to 72 hours after the cessation of drinking. DTs can cause a person’s body temperature to become dangerously high or cardiac or peripheral circulation failures. These are all life-threatening situations.
Most withdrawal symptoms will disappear after 4 to 5 days. However, in some cases, symptoms may last from one week to a month.
Meanwhile, people who experience DT may feel symptoms for 3 to 4 days. They may even last up to 8 days.
BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat.
Find a TherapistAnswer a few questions to get started
Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to dependence, preventing you from functioning normally without alcohol. Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) refers to a set of impairments that can last for weeks or months after quitting alcohol. It’s also referred to as post-withdrawal syndrome or protracted withdrawal syndrome.7
PAWS is characterized by symptoms similar to mood and anxiety disorders, such as:
PAWS can last until the brain can naturally produce endorphins and dopamine, which can take 6 months to 2 years.7
Seeking professional addiction treatment can help in many ways, such as:
Various treatment options can help you recover from AUD. These programs can provide the necessary tools to create a stronger foundation for long-term sobriety.
Available treatment options include:
Since people react to treatment differently, it’s essential to talk to a doctor or an addiction specialist. They’ll be able to recommend treatment options that cater to your needs.
People with long histories of alcohol abuse can still recover and become productive members of society. A common saying in AA groups is, “All you have to do is quit drinking and change your whole life!” However, to do that, there are challenges to overcome.
Sobriety can be difficult to maintain since it may be challenged by triggers leading to relapse. One of the biggest challenges to staying sober is dry drunk syndrome.
Dry drunk syndrome is a term used to describe a person who still experiences issues or behaviors associated with AUD despite quitting alcohol. Symptoms include:
People who drink are at risk of developing long-term health problems and diseases. Maintaining long-term sobriety lessens the risk of various complications, such as:
Stopping alcohol consumption can also make you feel healthier and more energetic. You’ll also be able to maintain better relationships with friends and family outside the influence of alcohol.
Anyone recovering from addiction is prone to relapse, so they need access to support groups that follow the same recovery principles. 12-step groups provide lifelong support groups where people offer help through active listening.
Telling and listening to recovery stories can remind people of the challenges of drinking alcohol and motivate others to continue recovering. Much of the discussion revolves around managing the following without drinking alcohol:
Some examples of 12-step programs include:
Recovering from alcohol abuse is different for everyone. The brain typically needs at least 2 weeks to reverse the damage from alcohol. However, withdrawal symptoms may persist for longer.
Recovery is a long process and can take up to one year. During recovery, you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms from the lack of alcohol in your system.
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome can have various side effects ranging from mild to severe. Fortunately, there are treatment programs that can help you manage withdrawal and maintain sobriety. Contact an addiction specialist to get the help you need.
In this article
