Alcohol & Health
Treatment
Helping Alcoholics
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Medically Reviewed by Annamarie Coy, BA, ICPR, MATS
Detoxification is the first step towards sobriety for anyone suffering from an alcohol use disorder (AUD). For many people with an alcohol addiction, the detox process can be frightening and overwhelming. When you stop drinking alcohol, your body will go through withdrawal. The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are often intense enough to turn people fall back to drinking.
The side effects of detoxing can be mild or severe and life-threatening. In fact, one in 20 people undergoing alcohol detox will experience a very serious side effect known as delirium tremens or DTs. Heavy or long-term alcoholics should consider inpatient or residential detox in order to avoid potentially life-threatening complications.
However, knowing what the side effects are and what to expect during detox can help make the process less frightening. Many people are able to break their alcohol dependency with the support of friends, loved ones, and professional addiction treatment. Undergoing detox in an inpatient or residential facility also allows medical professionals to help monitor and assist throughout the process.
Alcohol detoxification causes many side effects, and your body will take time to adjust to operating without alcohol. However, once you go through detoxification, your risk for potentially life-threatening illnesses is greatly reduced.
When someone consumes large amounts of alcohol on a regular basis, the chemistry in their brain and body (neurotransmitters and central nervous system) gets irritated. Alcohol works as a depressant on the brain, slowing down how it functions. Then your body works hard to counteract this depressive state.
The brain begins increasing the production of stimulating chemicals, such as serotonin or norepinephrine. These stimulating chemicals work to balance out the depressive episodes of heavy drinking.
However, when a person stops consuming alcohol, the brain continues producing stimulating chemicals, resulting in alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Detox symptoms are different for everyone and depend on the following risk factors:
While these factors can affect the symptoms a person experiences during detox, there is a predictable pattern and timeline for detox symptoms.
Withdrawal can be broken down into three stages. Not everyone will experience each stage. For example, a person with mild to moderate alcohol use disorder may only experience stage one symptoms. In contrast, a long-term, heavy drinker is more likely to experience symptoms of all three stages.
The average time for alcohol detox is five to seven days but how long it will take to detox is based on the severity of the addiction. However, one person may complete detox within a few days while another struggles and experiences symptoms for a week or more. Withdrawal risk factors play a significant role in detox.
Stage one of withdrawal begins within six to 12 hours after the last drink. As the stimulating chemicals in the brain overpower the diminishing depressive effects of alcohol, symptoms begin to surface. These symptoms can include:
Stage two begins 12 to 24 hours after the last alcoholic drink. A person continues to experience symptoms from stage one, though they can become more severe in nature. In addition to the increase in those initial symptoms, other symptoms begin.
The following symptoms can affect vital signs and may be an indicator that medical monitoring is necessary:
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that the rates of ER visits for chronic alcohol use complications, such as withdrawal, increased by 58 percent between 2006 and 2014.
Stage three begins between 48 and 72 hours after alcohol cessation. This is the most severe withdrawal stage, and often causes people to stop detoxing. It is also the stage that poses the greatest risk for medical and life-threatening complications. If you experience stage three detox symptoms, medical attention and detox assistance from a healthcare professional is advised.
These symptoms can include:
Delirium tremens is the most serious side effect of detoxing and alcohol withdrawal. In addition to the symptoms seen in stage three, DTs can affect normal body function. DTs can affect breathing, cause dangerously high blood pressure, increased heart rate, and interfere with the ability to regulate body temperature. It may precipitate respiratory and cardiovascular failure and, if left untreated, can result in coma or death.
In fact, the current mortality rate for patients with DTs, despite treatment, is five to fifteen percent.
Not everyone experiences DTs and certain factors can increase the risk. These include:
If someone has any of these risk factors, medically monitored detox is necessary in order to avoid possible complications or death. Inpatient and residential detox centers provide 24/7 monitoring and medications to help minimize detox side effects and respond to possible complications.
Many people continue to experience acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms for one to two weeks after medical detox.
Acute withdrawal usually involves physical symptoms, including:
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) might occur weeks or months after going ceasing substance use and going through detoxification. Unlike acute withdrawal, PAWS symptoms are usually more psychological and emotional in nature.
Common symptoms of PAWS include:
Going through alcohol detoxification on your own can be very difficult, and possibly life-threatening for heavy users. Undergoing detox as part of an alcohol addiction treatment program is the best way to make sure you receive the support, care, and medical attention you need in order to overcome your addiction.
Luckily there are several options available for anyone looking to break free of their alcohol addiction:
Inpatient Treatment — Inpatient treatment is the most intensive type of addiction treatment. Patients live at the treatment facility and undergo a detox program, receive medical advice and attention, and take part in therapy programs designed to help set them up for a sober life.
Outpatient Treatment — Outpatient treatment providers are good for people who have a high motivation for getting sober and have responsibilities (such as family, work, or school) that requires their attention.
Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) — MAT is available at treatment centers around the country. You may be prescribed a benzodiazepine in order to help manage withdrawal symptoms. There are additional medications (such as disulfiram, naltrexone, and acamprosate) that are prescribed to help people stay sober.
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