If you have been drinking excessively for a long time or have experienced severe withdrawal symptoms, then you may need professional help to detox safely and efficiently. Inpatient treatment is one of the most effective ways to detox, as it allows you to receive round-the-clock care from a team of medical professionals.

Symptoms

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be mild or severe, depending on your alcohol use history and the severity of your addiction. People who drink heavily for years or have a co-occurring mental health condition are more likely to experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, like seizures or delirium tremens (DTs).

Withdrawal begins about six to 12 hours after you stop drinking. Symptoms like nausea, vomiting, sweating, restlessness and anxiety start to develop.

These symptoms usually last a few days, but they may persist for weeks after you stop drinking. Thankfully, most of the most serious withdrawal symptoms fade within a week of quitting.

Timeline

Alcohol withdrawal is often a long process. It can take weeks or months to completely flush the body of all traces of alcohol.

The length of time that you need to detox will depend on a number of factors including your health, age and the amount of alcohol that you drink regularly. The severity and duration of your alcohol withdrawal symptoms will also have an impact on the overall timeline.

Symptoms of alcoholic withdrawal usually start within six to 12 hours after your last drink and may vary in severity. Typically, early symptoms are mild and include headaches and hand tremors. However, DTs or other serious withdrawal symptoms such as seizures may begin after twelve to twenty-four hours and should be monitored by a medical professional.

Medications

A number of different medications can be used during alcohol detox to help ease withdrawal symptoms. These include medications to reduce anxiety and stress, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and opioid partial agonists such as buprenorphine or methadone.

The type of medications used depends on the severity of your alcohol dependency and the severity of the symptoms you’re experiencing. Medications for mild cases are typically not required.

Detoxification medications can be injected, given as tablets, or taken by mouth. For example, chlordiazepoxide is an effective drug for alcohol withdrawal syndrome and is the most common medication used in detoxification.

During detox, a patient may also be prescribed an anticonvulsant to prevent seizures. Some anticonvulsants work by inhibiting the action of epinephrine and norepinephrine. Other anticonvulsants such as phenobarbital, levetiracetam (Keppra) and clonazepam (Klonopin) work by blocking the effects of norepinephrine on the brain. They can help to treat the symptoms of tremors and disorientation, and reduce cravings for alcohol.

Support

Alcohol detox is a difficult and sometimes life-threatening period, especially if you have been drinking for a long time. In severe cases, the withdrawal process may cause seizures, delirium tremens, or even death.

For this reason, it’s crucial to receive professional medical care during alcohol detox. Depending on the severity of your addiction and your health history, you may need to stay in a detox facility for several days or more.

Residential drug treatment programs offer a safe environment for individuals who are battling an alcohol addiction. They also provide around-the-clock support and intensive therapy in group and individual sessions.

There are a variety of faith-based groups that run outpatient and inpatient substance abuse treatment facilities. They offer support to individuals with an addiction to alcohol and their families. These programs often include 12-Step support and counseling, spiritual or religious motivation, and peer-support group meetings.