According to the World Health Organization, alcohol use and abuse are responsible for over three million deaths worldwide every year. This statistic perfectly highlights how much of a devastating impact alcohol abuse has had and still currently has on health and wellness worldwide.1
Even though alcoholism is extremely dangerous, alcohol addiction is very treatable, and many treatment centers offer effective alcohol detoxification treatment programs. Read on to discover what alcohol detoxification is and how long alcohol withdrawal takes.
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Our team is standing by to address your questions. Your call is confidential and no obligation is required.
Alcohol detoxification refers to the gradual reduction or abrupt elimination of alcohol intake. Alcohol withdrawal refers to a process of reducing the body’s alcohol content level till there is no longer any alcohol left in the body. Ideally, alcohol detoxification should be carried out in a “systematic reduction” fashion to ensure patient safety and positive overall wellness.2
Detox from alcohol is usually accompanied by the manifestation of several symptoms of withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms vary in severity, and while some are relatively mild (like headaches), others are significantly more life-threatening. Although withdrawal symptoms will always accompany detox from alcohol, it has been established that abrupt cessation of alcohol consumption will, more often than not, trigger severe acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
During the detoxification process, you can expect to feel some withdrawal symptoms ranging from mild, like headaches, to much more severe, like alcohol withdrawal seizures. The severity of symptoms experienced during the detox process depends on several factors, such as underlying conditions and the duration of alcohol abuse. Generally, you should begin to experience significant relief from these withdrawal effects in about three to seven days.3
Note that therapy may be necessary after detox to learn effective coping skills for dealing with addiction triggers.
More severe withdrawal effects that may occur during the detox process are seizures, high blood pressure, and delirium tremens. Delirium tremens is one of the most severe side effects of alcohol withdrawal, and it can be fatal if affected persons are not promptly treated. Delirium tremens is characterized by symptoms such as seizures, visual and auditory hallucinations, elevated blood pressure, fever, and increased agitation.
Although inpatient alcohol detox is the recommended option for people dealing with alcohol addiction, at-home detox is possible in some cases. However, it carries serious risks because alcohol detoxification is often accompanied by severe side effects, some potentially life-threatening, which require proper medical intervention for safe management.
People who have been dealing with alcohol addiction for an extended period should also not opt for at-home alcohol detox because there is an increased chance that they’ll experience severe withdrawal effects and they won’t be able to manage themselves during the detoxification process.
If you or someone you know is currently searching for an alcohol detoxification treatment center that can offer safe and effective care, Essence Health and Wellness is the place to be. At Essence Health and Wellness, you’ll have access to an individualized alcohol detox program managed by experienced and licensed medical professionals. Reach out today to begin your journey to sobriety.
At EHW, we accept health insurance plans from most providers. If you are covered by a private or commercial insurance policy, your plan may cover your substance use and mental health treatment costs.