How long does alcohol withdrawal last?

It’s difficult to comprehend withdrawal from alcohol. It is socially acceptable to consume alcohol and most people find it hard to comprehend that someone can become chemically dependent on alcohol, let alone experience withdrawal symptoms from stopping alcohol consumption.

For those who are addicted to alcohol, things are real. Alcohol withdrawal is highly uncomfortable and could be dangerous, with risks of seizure or stroke.  You cannot predict how long alcohol withdrawal will last – it could last 2 weeks. Alcohol withdrawal has three stages, but not everyone goes through all three, but may experience one or more of them. The likelihood that an individual suffering from alcohol dependence may develop alcohol withdrawal symptoms when stopping alcohol consumption depends on many factors.

They include:

• Duration of alcohol consumption
• Quantity of alcohol consumed
• Frequency of alcohol consumption

A person consuming alcohol on a daily basis for a longer period is more likely to experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms than one who drinks for a shorter period of time, intermittently. Mental health issues may exacerbate alcohol withdrawal symptoms, as anxiety is one of the withdrawal symptoms. It is hard to predict the severity of alcohol withdrawal or duration. It may vary from individual to individual even when the duration of consumption, the amount of consumption and frequency are similar.

We can divide this withdrawal phase into three stages

First stage of alcohol withdrawal

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms start to occur when a person who has developed alcohol dependence quits drinking. It could start two hours to a full day after someone has had his/her last drink. Although the first stage is the least intense, each person will experience it differently.

The first stage of alcohol withdrawal symptoms includes-

• Anger
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Insomnia
• Nausea
• Depression
• Heart palpitations
• Foggy brain
• Tremors
• Mood swings

 

The second stage of alcohol withdrawal

The second stage of alcohol withdrawal is more severe as compared to the first stage. The second stage of alcohol withdrawal sets in about 48-72 hours after a person stops consuming alcohol.

• Second-stage alcohol withdrawal symptoms include-
• Rise in body temperature
• High blood pressure
• Confusion
• Abnormal heart beat
• Sweating
• Irritability
• Breathing problems
• Mood swings

 

The third stage of alcohol withdrawal

The most difficult and dangerous phase of alcohol withdrawal is the third stage, where they symptoms become severe. The first signs of withdrawal appear about three days after the last drink an alcoholic consumes, and these can last for weeks.

Third-stage symptoms include

• High fever
• Hallucinations
• Seizures
• Stroke

 

Please be advised that not everyone will experience these stages of withdrawal in the above order. Symptoms can vary wildly across the time spectrum referred to above, so alcohol detox should never be attempted outside of a licensed treatment facility with experience dealing with alcohol withdrawal. Some severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms, such as seizure or stroke could lead to death. So access to a medical team that can address such issues need to be present when alcohol detox is attempted..

Consequently, it evolves that alcohol detox is not to be taken lightly as withdrawal symptoms can lead to severe medical consequences. RecoveryCNT.com can offer effective  Alcohol addiction treatment under the guidance of a Board Certified Addiction Medicine expert. Also our alcohol detox is easy to access because it in an outpatient setting. There is less resistance to entering treatment when the person suffering from an addiction to alcohol realizes that they can access detox treatment for alcohol from the comfort of their home instead of going away for days on end to an inpatient treatment center

 

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What is a Methadone Clinic & How does it Works?

Methadone is an opioid agonist, and it is used to treat opioid dependence. It is effective against prescription pain pills such as Oxycontin, Oxycodone, Tramadol, and Percocet, as well as heroin and fentanyl. It has been used to treat heroin addiction since the 1950s and addiction to other opioids more recently. Methadone can help people with opioid addiction by preventing the worst opioid withdrawal symptoms and reducing cravings.

Before starting methadone treatment, an evaluation with a medical and clinical professional is necessary to determine treatment appropriateness and dosage. If you decide to move forward with treatment, most people will visit a methadone clinic daily in order to receive the medication. under medical supervision. If you or a loved one is addicted to opioids, you may be looking for a treatment regimen that helps you quit. Methadone clinics can be an effective treatment option for opioid dependence.

How does it work?

1) It all starts with you! It may be a cliché but is so true in the case of recovery. No one can help you unless you decide to help yourself first. You must make the initial decision to quit your dependence on substances and enter recovery. It is never easy to admit that you need help, but it is a crucial part of your recovery process. You need to gain insight into the life you are leading with addiction – the negative impact on yourself and your loved ones. If you’re not fully committed to entering recovery, it is going to be difficult to effect lifestyle changes needed to sustain recovery. The desire to change should come from within you.

2) Deciding to change is the first step, but you also need to commit to this decision through your actions. This means learning coping skills to deal with your triggers, learning relapse prevention techniques to stay on the sober path, and effecting lifestyle changes that help sustain recovery. Remember that addiction is chemical dependence you body has developed to a particular drug. Will power is helpful, but in most cases, may not be enough to pull you through to the other side of addiction. Remember it is not easy, despite getting help from medication to address cravings and withdrawal symptoms and therapeutic support.

3) The role of a supportive network – self-help groups such as AA or NA and family and friends – in achieving and maintaining sobriety cannot be overemphasized. Not only does your support network nourish your recovery with encouragement and support, they may be most available resource when you are in crisis. People in your support network can be reached any time of the day and they care enough about your recovery to prioritize it.

4) When it comes to addiction treatment, there are now many options Outpatient detox and other levels of outpatient addiction treatment are increasingly sought after, as they reduce stigma associated with the disease of addiction and they also make addiction treatment more accessible. You should take the time to do your research and explore all the different options that are available so that you can find a treatment plan that will work best for you.

If you are not sure where to start, call us and we will guide you with understanding treatment options. You can also do some research online to get familiar with treatment options and how they are different.

 

Conclusion

It is usual to feel trapped when you are trying to overcome an addiction. You might be ready to make a change, but unsure of where to begin. It can be difficult to admit you need help, but that first step is vital in beginning your journey towards recovery. It requires courage not only to admit that you have a problem but also to make the first call to seek help

 

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