Alcohol detox is the first stage of sobering up and treating alcoholism. However, it can also be the most challenging. The symptoms can make it very difficult to stick with. However, knowing the timeline can help you know what to expect if you plan to detox…
Alcohol Detox: What’s The Timeline?
First 6-12 hours
The alcohol detox timeline can start as soon as two hours after your last drink. However, many begin to experience symptoms within the first 6 to 12 hours. These can include headaches, anxiety, and irritability. Still, these initial symptoms can be pretty mild.
Of course, that doesn’t mean more serious symptoms can’t pop up. For instance, you could also experience nausea and shakiness. Plus, the other symptoms could progressively get worse. These first few hours are mainly about preparing for the road ahead.
Day one
Day one of your alcohol detox is when things really begin to ramp up. The symptoms you experienced during those first initial hours will still be there, at a higher level of intensity. However, you can expect to have a couple new ones thrown into the mix.
Some of these new symptoms can include feeling disoriented, hand tremors, and even seizures. This is where it can help to have friends or family nearby to give you some help. They can help make sure you’re safe and ensure you remain hydrated while you get ready for the tougher days ahead.
Week one
The rest of your first week of alcohol detox is going to be similar to the first day. The biggest change will be new symptoms and the varying intensity of them. For example, hallucinations and panic attacks become common as your body continues to rid alcohol from it’s system.
This period is when these symptoms could potentially become life-threatening. If you feel at any point that your symptoms go from being painful to potentially dangerous, you should seek out medical attention. Not only can they help get your symptoms under control, but they can help you with your detox process.
After your first week, you’ll be happy to know the most severe part is out the way. You might experience some symptoms in the upcoming weeks, but they’ll be minor compared to before. Now, you’ll be able to focus on the rest of your treatment plan.