What is the Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline?

You’ve made the decision to get sober. Congratulations! This is a monumental first step that will make things so much better for you and for those who love you. Where do you go from here?

Depending on how much and how long you’ve been drinking, you may need to go through a detoxification process. Because it can be helpful to know what you might expect—and for how long—here’s some information to consider:

How long does it take to reset your body from alcohol?

Alcohol detox typically takes about a week, but the exact timeframe differs slightly for everyone who goes through it.

The process of detoxing begins when you stop drinking alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms usually subside within 5-7 days. Cravings and other side effects may continue after detox.

What happens to the body when you stop drinking?

A decision from the outset is whether to attempt detoxing at home or to seek out professional help. Studies suggest that self-detox is rarely successful. This data, coupled with the reality that you may encounter severe withdrawal symptoms while attempting to detox, suggest it is a difficult road to walk alone.

At Honey Lake Clinic, you’ll have licensed and experienced medical and addiction professionals walk this path with you. We’ve done this many times over, with many different people in many different circumstances. We know what to expect and how to respond and we have the necessary tools to help you get sober.

What happens after 2 weeks of no alcohol?

The Alcohol Withdrawal Timline can be a very uncomfortable period and sometimes lead to dangerous experiences. Having Christian medical and mental health professionals assist and oversee your detoxification can be the difference between success and failure. At Honey Lake Clinic, you’ll have professionals by your side and medications to help alleviate some of your symptoms if needed, all helping you concentrate on the hard work at hand—your recovery.

What are Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?

• Minor withdrawal symptoms (such as headaches, chills, and nausea) usually start 6-12 hours after the last drink.
• Moderate withdrawal symptoms (such as vomiting, confusion, and fever) may follow within 12-24 hours.
• Severe withdrawal symptoms (known as delirium tremens, a potentially fatal medical emergency) are rare, most common among people who’ve been drinking in excess for months or years. These symptoms typically occur 48-72 hours after the last drink.

What are DTs (Delirium Tremens)?

Delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal involving sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes. It is a rare—less than 200,000 cases per year are reported in the U.S.—but life-threatening condition.

The symptoms of DT progress from earlier withdrawal symptoms like agitation, irritability, confusion, trembling, nausea, and heartrate, increasing in intensity, leading to even scarier symptoms like hallucinations and seizures.

Risk factors for delirium tremens increase based on the following:

• Having consumed higher amounts of alcohol in the weeks prior to withdrawal
• Previous episodes of alcohol withdrawal
• Underlying health issues
• Presence of other medications and/or supplements in your system
• Comorbidity

If you are looking into recovery for yourself or someone you love, we can help guide you. Speak confidentially with a counselor right now at (855) 222-4756.

The Honey Lake Clinic Alcohol Withdrawal Detox

The key to Honey Lake Clinic’s success is our Christ-centered rehabilitation program. Different from other treatment facilities, Honey Lake Clinic offers a residential, holistic treatment model which treats each patient on three different levels, mind, body, and spirit.

Don’t delay any longer. You don’t have to face this struggle alone. Alcohol doesn’t have to have the last word. Call Honey Lake Clinic to speak with someone who not only cares, but who understands what you are going through and can help.