How Long Does It Take to Detox From Alcohol?

Understanding Alcohol Detox

What Is Alcohol Detox?

The alcohol detox process involves a person stopping alcohol use so the substance itself can completely leave their system. 

During medical-supervised detoxification, you are closely monitored by medical professionals to ensure that the process is safe, comfortable, and supportive.

Why Is Detox Necessary?

Detoxification is always the first step in your alcohol addiction recovery journey because you cannot focus on treatment while alcohol is still in your system. 

While alcohol remains present in your body, it will continue to do damage. Detoxification will allow your body to begin its natural healing process once alcohol is gone from your system. This also allows you to engage with other needed medical interventions without the interference of alcohol.

Once you have stabilized and withdrawal symptoms are managed, you are better able to focus fully on treatment and recovery.

Is Detox the Same as Treatment?

No, detox is a part of a treatment plan, but not the same as treatment itself, as it alone is not enough for full alcohol addiction recovery. 

Detoxification is an essential part of addiction treatment, but detox alone is not enough for a full recovery. You will need the help of a treatment program and therapies as well. Many treatment centers will build detox into their inpatient residential treatment programs to make the transition into treatment easier for their clients.

Factors That Affect How Long Alcohol Detox Takes

What Influences the Length of Detox?

Many factors influence how long detox takes, such as average alcohol intake, nutrition rate, sex, age, how long you were drinking, and if another substance use disorder (SUD) or mental illness is present. 

Genetic factors also play a significant role in detoxification, which can make two people with the same sex, weight, and addiction severity still detox at different rates. That’s why treatment centers always emphasize that everyone detoxes at different rates.

You or your loved one with an alcohol use disorder will take exactly as long as you need to during detox. It’s important not to rush the detox process to ensure maximum safety and comfort.

Does Mental Health Play a Role?

Yes, mental health does play a role in the detoxification process.

People with mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may experience amplified withdrawal symptoms or feel less comfortable during detox. During addiction treatment, these issues are taken seriously and are treated alongside the addiction itself.

How Does Overall Health Impact Detox?

Overall health can greatly affect the speed at which detoxification occurs, especially if organs involved in the body’s natural detoxification process are not functioning well.

This is because people with chronic health problems, especially conditions that affect the liver, kidneys, and heart, need more time for alcohol to fully leave their system. The kidneys and the liver, in particular, are responsible for removing and flushing toxins out of the body and are thus important for detoxification.

People with health issues often require additional medical care and assistance during detoxification to do so safely. Trained medical professionals are there to help people detox without aggravating or worsening their underlying conditions.

Alcohol Detox Timeline: How Long Does It Take?

What Happens 6-12 Hours After the Last Drink?

After 6-12 hours, you will typically experience mild withdrawal symptoms such as headache, insomnia, mild anxiety, irritability, stomach pains, alcohol cravings, poor appetite, and tremors.

Your blood alcohol concentration will begin to decrease and is typically cleared within 6-12 hours. Physical coordination and mental clarity also improve within these hours as the central nervous system is no longer depressed by alcohol.

What Happens 12-24 Hours After the Last Drink?

After 12-24 hours, you may begin to experience more withdrawal symptoms, such as sweating, nausea, and restlessness. 

Depending on the severity of the addiction, a person may experience hallucinations. Symptoms such as headaches and fatigue tend to fade due to dehydration recovery, as alcohol is a diuretic. Your blood sugar will also begin to stabilize at this time.

What Happens 24-48 Hours Into Detox?

Those with mild to moderate withdrawal will see symptoms peak at this time and progressively resolve as time goes on.

However, those with complicated or severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms are at a high risk of seizures at this time. You may also experience other symptoms, such as insomnia and vivid dreams. At this time, irritation in the digestive system subsides, which may result in increased appetite.

What Happens 48-72 Hours Into Detox?

After 48 hours, people with complicated or severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms can progress into tremors, seizures, or hallucinations, known as delirium tremens (DTs), a potentially fatal condition if left untreated.

Long-term heavy alcohol use can cause delirium tremens during withdrawal. This is why medical supervision is heavily utilized during detoxification.

Other symptoms may include fever (increased body temperature), sweating, confusion, rapid heart rate, and high blood pressure. The third day after stopping alcohol use is typically considered the worst for moderate to severe alcohol use.

What Happens After 72 Hours?

Physical withdrawal symptoms typically begin to resolve and lessen in severity after the third day of detox. 

Some people may experience prolonged symptoms that can last for weeks or months after the last drink. Typical symptoms include cravings, depression, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, or lack of motivation.

When these symptoms continue to interfere with your life, they are known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) and are managed through therapy, medications, and other mental health services.

Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

What Are Mild Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal?

Mild symptoms of alcohol withdrawal appear similar to a hangover, and can include symptoms such as:

• Headache
• Incomnia
• Mild to moderate anxiety
• Shaking
• Upset stomach/nausea 
• Vomiting
• Decreased appetite
• Heart palpitations 

These symptoms will typically appear up to six hours after you stop drinking alcohol.

What Are Moderate Withdrawal Symptoms?

The next stage of withdrawal results in moderate withdrawal symptoms, which can include the previous mild withdrawal symptoms, along with: 

• Fever (increased body temperature)
• Increased blood pressure 
• Confusion
• Excessive sweating 
• Mild tremors
• Moderate anxiety
• Rapid, shallow breathing

These symptoms typically appear 12 to 24 hours after you stop drinking alcohol.

What Are Severe Withdrawal Symptoms?

In the case of heavy drinking or severe alcohol use disorder, a person may experience severe withdrawal symptoms or complicated withdrawal, which can include symptoms such as:

• Severe anxiety
• Moderate to severe tremors 
• Seizures 
• Delirium tremens

It’s important to note that delirium tremens is serious and can result in death if left untreated.

The symptoms of delirium tremens can include:

• Severe confusion
• Agitation
• Sensitivity to touch, light, and/or sound
• Hallucinations
• Heart arrhythmia
• Fever 
• Rapid mood changes 
• Tremors
• Dangerous changes in blood pressure
• Excessive sweating

What Is Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome?

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is the term given to a set of symptoms that may occur with the reduction or cessation of alcohol use after a period of excessive use. 

The above symptoms are part of AWS, and symptoms typically begin six hours after your last drink of alcohol.

AWS occurs in those with alcohol dependence, and symptoms can occur following a planned or unplanned decrease in alcohol use. Mild to moderate symptoms typically peak and get better after a day or two. The risk of severe symptoms, however, makes it so that medical supervision is needed for a safe and successful detox.

Treatment Options for Alcohol Detox

How Does Medical Detox Work?

Medical detox works by having you collaborate with a dedicated team of medical and mental health care professionals to help you safely and comfortably detox. 

Most people stay in an inpatient facility where they can have access to medical support and supervision. Withdrawal symptoms are managed through the use of medications as needed.

Your team will consider your physical health and other characteristics that may influence the detox process and give you the best medical advice to stay safe and comfortable.

The goal of any medical detox program is not just to help you detox, but to keep you safe and comfortable. Withdrawal can be dangerous, and your medical team will keep a close eye on you to ensure that any problems are caught and addressed immediately. This stabilization process is essential before moving on to treatment.

What Medications Help With Detox?

The most common medications used for alcohol detox include beta-blockers and benzodiazepines such as chlordiazepoxide or diazepam. 

These medications are used to strengthen vital signs and make those undergoing detox more comfortable by reducing the severity of withdrawal symptoms. Those who have other underlying conditions will still utilize their normal prescription medications throughout detox.

What’s the Difference Between Inpatient and Outpatient Detox?

The main difference between inpatient and outpatient detox is where you stay while undergoing the detoxification process. 

Inpatient detox involves staying at a dedicated rehab facility with medical supervision throughout the entire process. This is the best option for those with a severe addiction or substance use disorder, as medical intervention can occur quickly in the event of an emergency. It offers several perks, such as privacy, structure, stability, and access to a 24/7 medical team.

Outpatient detox involves going to a treatment center for medical and counseling support and then returning home. This method is more flexible and allows busy people to get the services they need without much interruption to their schedules. Outpatient detox is best for people with mild substance use disorder who do not require access to 24/7 medical support.

How Do Treatment Programs Support Detox?

Treatment programs support medical detox by making it easy for those who complete it to quickly transition into treatment with minimal delay or stress. 

Some inpatient residential treatment programs will include detox as part of their essential programming. Treatment centers without inpatient treatment available will work closely with you to ensure a smooth transition into residential or outpatient care, such as a partial hospitalization program (PHP) or intensive outpatient program (IOP).

Why Detox Alone Is Not Enough

Is Detox the Same as Recovery?

No, detox is not the same as recovery, but it is an essential part of it. 

Recovery refers to a state in which a person can successfully manage their chronic condition without relapsing.

In the case of alcohol addiction, recovery is being able to live your life with the tools learned in treatment to not just prevent relapse, but also enrich your life. Remember that recovery is considered a journey, not a race. Trying to only detox and forgoing treatment will not result in successful recovery.

Why Is Ongoing Treatment Important?

You cannot recover from addiction with detox alone; you also need treatment provided by trained and licensed mental health care professionals.

Treatment for alcohol use disorder and addiction involves not just treating the addiction itself, but the underlying causes of it.

Addiction often stems from the desire to reduce, mask, or numb pain caused by factors such as trauma, untreated mental health conditions, and more. Once you treat this underlying cause and teach healthier coping strategies, people are then less likely to turn to alcohol use again to manage negative feelings, sensations, and memories.

At Infinite Recovery and other addiction treatment centers, this is done by working closely with a mental health care provider to create a treatment plan. Treatment plans can include many programs, such as residential, outpatient, and aftercare services.

All treatment programs will include evidence-based therapies, with common therapies being cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), art therapy, and group therapy.

When detox is paired with a treatment program, your chances of a successful recovery improve dramatically.

How Does Aftercare Improve Recovery?

Aftercare improves recovery by giving recovering clients access to extended support.

Isolation is one of the factors most likely to cause a relapse, so helping clients find avenues of support after treatment is complete can prevent it.

Typical aftercare programs used by many addiction treatment centers include an alumni program, which often pairs newly recovered people with a more experienced mentor. Sober living is also helpful. This program provides safe, sober housing, allowing clients to practice their newly learned skills with extra support.

Other forms of aftercare include access to support groups, community events, and mentorship programs.

FAQs About Alcohol Detox

How long does it take to detox from alcohol?

The timeframe for full detox varies depending on the individual, but most fully complete detox within 5-7 days. 

Some people may need more time to complete detox, especially if they have underlying medical or mental health conditions. It’s important not to rush detox for the safest and most comfortable experience.

How long does alcohol withdrawal last?

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal typically peak between 24 and 72 hours and then progressively improve with time. 

Some people, however, may experience withdrawal symptoms for weeks after their last drink. This is usually known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), and it can be managed with further treatment and medical intervention.

Can alcohol withdrawal be life-threatening?

Yes, with delirium tremens and seizures being the most dangerous and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol abuse. 

Due to these symptoms, alcohol detox is always supervised by experienced medical professionals. These symptoms typically occur because of severe alcohol addiction, but medical professionals will never take chances when it comes to your health and safety.

Do you always need medical help for detox?

Yes, you should never try to detox from any amount of alcohol use by yourself. 

Detoxing alone comes with many risks, especially when regularly engaged in heavy drinking. Having access to medical attention doesn’t just prevent deaths from symptoms like delirium tremens, but can also make the effects of alcohol withdrawal safer and less severe.

Always talk to a medical professional before beginning any type of detoxification program.

Can people recover from alcohol addiction?

Yes, anyone can recover from alcohol addiction, and the best way to do so is with professional help.

Treatment centers like Infinite Recovery are ready to help you or a loved one break free from alcohol dependence and substance abuse. You simply need to reach out for help.

Recovering from alcohol addiction, use, and abuse is possible for anyone, including yourself and your loved ones. We at Infinite Recovery, located in Austin, Texas, provide quality, comprehensive, and compassionate alcohol addiction treatment. This includes all aspects of addiction treatment, from detox to aftercare services. Our medically assisted detox services especially allow our clients to detox successfully from alcohol in safety and comfort. It’s not just detox services we provide, but education as well, helping clients understand the risks of alcohol use and abuse and when to seek help. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, don’t wait. Call Infinite Recovery today at (844) 928-1502 to learn about our treatment programs.