27 Aug What Symptoms Can You Expect During Alcohol Detox?
If you or a loved one is preparing to take the first step towards sobriety, it’s important to be familiar with what symptoms during alcohol detox may be experienced. Read on to learn what to expect from the detox process and tips on how to detox safely and reduce unpleasant symptoms.
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Symptoms during alcohol detox
Moderate to excessive drinking over time can change your brain chemistry, which means you’re likely to experience both physical and mental symptoms as you quit drinking suddenly or begin decreasing the amount you drink.
For most people, withdrawal symptoms will onset within 8 hours after alcohol was last consumed. Severe symptoms tend to appear around the 24 hour mark, typically most severe around 48-72 hours after your last drink.
Symptoms during alcohol detox may include:
- Nausea, vomiting, appetite loss
- Fast heart rate, sweating, and dilated pupils
- Difficulty sleeping, nightmares, and pale skin
- Mood swings, anxiety, depression, and irritability
- Headache, tremors, and shakiness
While the most severe detox symptoms like tremors may subside after 4-5 days from when you last drank, some others such as anxiety or depression may persist for much longer. The severity of symptoms depends on a number of factors, including how much and how often you drink prior to beginning the detox process.
While the most severe detox symptoms like tremors may subside after 4-5 days from when you last drank, some others such as anxiety or depression may persist for much longer. The severity of symptoms depends on a number of factors, including how much and how often you drink prior to beginning the detox process.
What is delirium tremens?
Those who have very high alcohol tolerances or other medical conditions are at higher risk of developing very dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Delirium tremens, aka “DTs”, can be fatal if left untreated.
If you attempt to detox without medical intervention, it’s extremely important to contact emergency medical services if you show any symptoms of DTs. It’s also extremely important to tell emergency services the truth about why you are having symptoms, so the proper intervention can be made to keep you safe.
You should call emergency services if you experience any of the following DT symptoms:
- Extreme agitation
- Extreme confusion
- Fevers
- Hallucinations (feeling, seeing, or hearing)
- High blood pressure
- Seizures
The advantages of medically managing symptoms during alcohol detox
Having the detox process guided by an addiction healthcare expert is the best way to ensure your detox is as safe as possible, while also managing the discomfort of the process to the extent possible. A doctor can evaluate your overall health and determine a detox plan that meets your needs.
Once symptoms during alcohol detox subside, a doctor specializing in addiction can continue to help you through the recovery process, prescribing drugs where necessary to help reduce cravings and help you maintain sobriety.
Healthcare options for medically-managed detox
When most people think of detox and recovery, they generally think of inpatient clinics that offer inpatient programs for a set number of days. Clinics also generally offer outpatient programs as well. Both options provide a safe, clinical setting for self-reflection through individual and/or group therapy. Inpatient programs offer the added bonus of removing people from the stressful situations that led them to develop a drinking problem, allowing them to take a break and gain new perspective.
Despite these advantages, care in a clinic may not be suited for everyone. Many people who need detox and recovery may balk at the idea of abandoning their routines for such a long period of time – especially if they are worried about how to explain their absence without disclosing their condition. The worry about the stigma of addiction may affect their long term employment or standing within the community may prevent someone from seeking help if they think clinics are the only option.
In-home detox: a discreet and modern way to get treatment
Detox and recovery at home is emerging as an alternative to standard rehab clinics. Healthcare professionals specializing in addiction can come to your home to evaluate your needs, design a detox and recovery plan, and continue aftercare counseling.
Not only does this option offer maximum discretion, it may be helpful to those who have attempted detox before and found themselves having difficulty applying what they learned in rehab to real life.
Counseling at home means getting support in applying techniques to real-life situations as they occur, which means you get practice where you need it most.
Elite Home Detox Can Help You Overcome Symptoms During Alcohol Detox
If you are preparing to begin your journey to sobriety, consider Elite Home Detox. Our expert medical team can work with you in the privacy and comfort of your home to design a detox and recovery plan around your needs.
Our in-home medically managed detox means a healthcare professional will stay onsite with you to monitor your progress and ensure your safety. As you come out of detox and begin recovery, our practice can provide addiction-focused primary healthcare to help you manage lingering symptoms and help your body recover.
We’re ready to answer your questions and help you feel like your best self. Reach out with a call or click to Elite Home Detox today!
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