Detoxing from Alcohol: How Long Does it Take and What to Expect

Alcohol misuse is common in the United States. In fact, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 14.1 million American adults had an alcohol use disorder, which is the clinical term for an alcohol addiction, as of 2019. When a person has an alcohol use disorder (AUD), they often require treatment to help them stop drinking. This is because an AUD is a legitimate medical condition that causes changes in the brain and leads people to continue drinking, even in the face of consequences. If you seek alcohol rehab, the first stage in the treatment process is going through alcohol detox. So, how long does it take to detox from alcohol? Learn the answer, as well as the benefits of medication assisted treatment for alcohol use, here. 

Alcohol Withdrawal and Detox Symptoms 

People who are preparing to go through alcohol detox often ask, “What happens when you stop drinking?” While everyone’s experience may vary slightly, if you have an AUD, you are likely to experience some withdrawal symptoms when you give up alcohol, especially if you have been drinking heavily for an extended period of time. For some people, withdrawal symptoms are mild, whereas others can experience severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. 

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms occur when a person is dependent upon alcohol. Once a dependence develops, the body adapts to the presence of alcohol and cannot function the same without it. Withdrawal symptoms are the body’s reaction to being without alcohol after having developed a dependence. 

Common alcohol withdrawal symptoms are explained below. 

Sleep Problems 

Sleep disturbances are considered a mild alcohol withdrawal symptom, and this symptom may occur alongside anxiety. Mild symptoms of alcohol withdrawal tend to appear 6 to 12 hours after the last drink, so you may have difficulty sleeping as soon as you stop drinking. 

Tremors

Another early withdrawal symptom that may appear 6 to 12 hours after the last drink is tremors. This symptom can be described as shakiness, often in the hands or arms.

Various Forms of Pain

Also among the mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms are various forms of pain. Most commonly, people experience headaches or an upset stomach.

Hallucinations 

Some people experience only mild symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, whereas others experience symptoms that become more severe. Twelve to 24 hours after the last drink, some people may experience withdrawal hallucinations. This can include hearing, seeing, or feeling things that are not actually present. 

Seizures

In some cases, alcohol withdrawal will conclude with hallucinations, which will never worsen. Unfortunately, some people may proceed to more severe alcohol withdrawal side effects, which can include seizures.

Delirium Tremens

In the most severe cases of alcohol withdrawal, people may experience a potentially fatal condition called delirium tremens. This condition requires immediate medical treatment and includes symptoms such as fever, sweating, agitation, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, disorientation, and visual hallucinations. 

Alcohol Detox Timeline

One important factor associated with the detox time for alcohol is the detox timeline, which outlines not only how long withdrawal symptoms last, but how soon to expect specific symptoms to appear after quitting alcohol. 

The following graphic provides a visual representation to answer the question, “How long does alcohol detox last?”

While not everyone’s experience with alcohol withdrawal will be the same, the above timeline provides a general guideline. In many instances, alcohol hallucinations resolve within two days. Not everyone will progress beyond mild symptoms to alcohol hallucinations. Furthermore, not everyone who experiences alcohol withdrawal will have severe symptoms, like seizures or delirium tremens. 

For those who experience only mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms, side effects usually resolve within 5 to 7 days, but some people may go through detox even faster. In cases of severe withdrawal involving delirium tremens, withdrawal symptoms can last for about two weeks. 

Factors That May Influence the Detox Timeline

While some people may experience only short-term withdrawal symptoms and never progress to complications like alcohol withdrawal seizures or delirium tremens, others may experience these withdrawal side effects. Two factors that can influence how long it takes to detox from alcohol are the length of time someone has been drinking, and how heavily they drink.

A person with a lengthy history of alcohol misuse, or who has been drinking heavily, will likely take longer to detox when compared to someone with a mild alcohol use disorder. People who have been drinking for shorter periods of time may experience only mild withdrawal symptoms, which may pass within 36 hours. On the other hand, high levels of chronic drinking tend to increase the duration of the alcohol withdrawal timeline. 

How to Detox From Alcohol at Home

Some people may be able to undergo alcohol detox at home, but it is important to consult with an alcohol rehab program before trying to detox on your own. While fewer than 20% of people require inpatient detox services for alcohol, some may require inpatient care or hospitalization. For instance, withdrawal seizures can lead to serious complications. Furthermore, delirium tremens represents a medical emergency, which requires treatment in a hospital setting.

Before undergoing alcohol detox, it is important to contact a treatment program. They can monitor your symptoms and provide guidance regarding whether you can safely detox at home. A treatment program can also link you to a recovery coach who can provide support along the way. 

If you are detoxing from alcohol at home, the following tips are helpful:

• Be sure to follow the recommendations of your treatment program, which may include taking a prescription medication to manage withdrawal symptoms.
• Spend time in a quiet room with minimal lighting to make withdrawal symptoms more manageable.
• Drink plenty of fluids and consider taking dietary supplements, like thiamine and magnesium, if recommended by your treatment team to correct nutritional deficiencies. 

If you have certain risk factors, such as a serious mental health condition, a history of severe withdrawal symptoms or delirium tremens, or recent history of heavy drinking, you may require hospitalization or inpatient treatment while withdrawing from alcohol. A physician or treatment center can help you determine if it is safe to detox at home. 

Alcohol Withdrawal/Detox Symptoms Treatment and Medications

Some patients experience mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms and do not require medication or other treatments. Some people may be able to detox at home, while staying in touch with a treatment center regarding their symptoms.

For people who have a more severe case of alcohol withdrawal, medication may be necessary to manage symptoms and prevent serious complications. Benzodiazepines are the most commonly-prescribed drug for treating alcohol withdrawal side effects. If necessary, you will be started on a benzodiazepine, which will be tapered off over time as you go through withdrawal. Other medications, including barbiturates and anticonvulsant drugs, may be given in some cases as alternatives to benzodiazepines.

If you’re in an inpatient alcohol detox, medical staff will provide around-the-clock support and medical care to keep you as safe and as comfortable as possible as your body rids itself of alcohol. You may receive medications to address specific symptoms like sleep problems or headache. You may receive dietary supplements or IV fluids as well. 

FAQs

If you’re looking for information on how to detox your body from alcohol, the answers to the following questions may be useful for you. 

How Long After You Quit Drinking Does Your Body Return To Normal?

The amount of time it takes for the body to return to its normal state after drinking will depend upon your unique health situation and your drinking history. In some cases, people who have been misusing alcohol for only a short period of time may be able to get through withdrawal in a day or two, without serious symptoms.

On the other hand, chronic, heavy drinking can lead to more severe withdrawal complications, which may last for up to two weeks. In some cases, alcohol misuse can cause serious health problems, like liver damage, which may take longer to correct. 

How Long Does It Take Your Brain Chemistry To Return To Normal After Alcohol?

An alcohol use disorder can cause changes in brain functioning, but fortunately, these changes do resolve with treatment. In fact, one study found that after 14 days of treatment, people with alcohol use disorders had significant improvements in brain functioning. In this study, brain functioning did not fully recover during this 14-day period, so it may take additional time for brain chemistry to fully return to normal. 

How Long Does It Take For Alcohol To Get Out Of Your Liver?

The amount of time it takes for your liver to metabolize alcohol depends upon the amount that you have consumed. The liver can generally metabolize one standard drink per hour. If you have been drinking heavily over time and consuming more alcohol than your body can metabolize at once, alcohol will begin to accumulate in your system. 

What Is The Fastest Way To Remove Alcohol From Your System?

There is no way to quickly remove alcohol from your system. The liver must do the work of processing and metabolizing alcohol to remove it from your body. You can make the process more manageable by consuming plenty of fluids, spending time in a  calm, quiet environment, and consulting with a treatment center about any medications or interventions you may need to help your body detox from alcohol. 

Does Water Flush Out Alcohol? 

Water does not magically “flush out” alcohol. It is important to stay hydrated while detoxing from alcohol, so it can be helpful to consume water while going through withdrawal. Ultimately, your liver does the work of flushing alcohol from your system. 

Can You Die From Alcohol Detox?

While rare, some cases of alcohol withdrawal can be fatal without medical treatment. Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms can lead to seizures or a life-threatening condition called delirium tremens. For this reason, it is important to consult with a medical provider or alcohol treatment center before detoxing from alcohol. 

Recover From Alcohol Use Disorder With Confidant Health 

Going through alcohol detox is just the first step in the recovery process. Once you have safely completed withdrawal, it is important to continue with alcohol rehab services. One option that is beneficial for keeping people in recovery is medication assisted treatment for alcohol use. This treatment modality uses medications, often alongside counseling, to help people recover from an alcohol use disorder. 

At Confidant Health, we provide MAT for alcohol use in a completely online environment, so you can recover from home. Download our app today, on either the Apple Store or the Google Play Store, to get started.