Author: Gary Jackson

How Long Does It Take to Detox from Alcohol? Timeline and More

Recently, with COVID-19 precautions, many programs offer programs via telehealth. It can be an alternative to inpatient or residential treatment or a step-down from one of those programs. Inpatient treatment at a hospital or medical center isn’t as common as it used to be, but these programs make sense if you have serious medical or mental health issues. If you need alcohol for your body to feel normal, then you likely need help. Getting through detox isn’t just a matter of willpower, and stopping “cold turkey” without at least medical help is never recommended. It can range from mild to severe, depending on how many symptoms you have.

• Keep it interesting and varied with sparkling water, virgin cocktails (also known as mocktails), fruit juices, low-fat milk, or kombucha.
• The key point to remember is that’s never safe to self-detox from alcohol at home.
• However, it’s important to keep in mind that alcohol detox can be dangerous if it’s done at home.

You may do this after partial hospitalization, detox, or residential rehab. Rehab programs can include a range of services from medical care and counseling to life skills training and help preventing a relapse. Too much alcohol affects your speech, muscle coordination and vital centers of your brain.

Do I Need a Detox Program?

During the 12- to 24-hour time frame after the last drink, most people will begin to have noticeable symptoms. These may still be mild, or the existing symptoms might increase in severity. There is no exact timeline for alcohol withdrawal, and individual factors, such as the level of dependence on alcohol, will influence it. Nanci Stockwell of Advanced Recovery Systems discusses the risks of detoxing at home and the benefits of detoxing from alcohol and other drugs in a safe environment. A small percentage of people going through alcohol withdrawal have hallucinations at this point. Doctors may prescribe other medications to treat withdrawal-related symptoms.

Some people avoid medically supervised rehab because they prefer natural remedies for alcohol withdrawal. Slowly tapering off alcohol is the safest way to naturally overcome alcohol withdrawal, and many at-home remedies can help you cope with mild withdrawal symptoms. However, medical treatment is necessary to treat major symptoms of withdrawal.