How Long Does it Take to Detox from Alcohol? Overcoming Alcohol Use

Alcohol is a commonly used substance across the United States. Sharing a drink in social situations from time to time does not necessarily mean that a person has a reliance on alcohol. However, alcohol is still addictive, and understanding alcohol use disorder (AUD), the effects of alcohol on daily life, and treatment options available can ensure that each person can manage their relationship with alcohol and address alcohol dependence with effective detox and comprehensive treatment programs if their use becomes more destructive. 

What Happens When You Drink Alcohol Every Day?

While having a drink on occasion may not lead to substance use disorder (SUD), drinking alcohol every day can lead to a myriad of dangerous effects. Both the body and mind can be profoundly impacted by this consistent use of alcohol, with effects ranging from mild symptoms to intensely destructive effects. Moreover, these symptoms depend not just on the frequency of alcohol use but also on the amount of alcohol a person drinks each day. 

Some of the most common ramifications of drinking every day include:

• Increasing tolerance
• Alcohol cravings, or feeling like alcohol is necessary to feel “normal”
• Impaired decision-making and ability to create memories
• Disrupted sleep cycles
• Physical health consequences

As a person drinks more each day, the effects of substance abuse can become more severe, emphasizing the need for professional support to heal. However, it can be challenging to quit drinking, and those drinking every day can benefit from a dedicated medical detox program under the supervision of medical professionals to manage symptoms of addiction, as well as severe withdrawal symptoms that can complicate this first step toward a sober life. 

What Are Some Environmental Factors That Can Lead to Alcohol Abuse?

AUD is a complicated disease that affects every aspect of daily life. Some environments can increase the risk of developing an addiction to alcohol, or may even be actively detrimental to seeking professional help for heavy alcohol use or addiction. Common environmental factors that can influence alcohol abuse include:

• Access to alcohol: This can include bottles being in reach at home, especially when paired with family members who may regularly drink or celebrate alcohol use
• Peer pressure in certain environments or communities: This can include office workplace cultures that celebrate going to the bar after work, offering alcohol at work parties, or alcohol-expected circumstances like parties on college campuses
• Excessive stress: This can be caused by interpersonal conflict, interpersonal harassment or abuse, or unhealthy workplace expectations or deadlines

Some environments may further lead to alcohol abuse by providing a lack of support for sobriety. A lack of understanding around alcohol addiction, or stigmatizing words like “recovery” or “addiction,” can all further the impact of the disease, leading to an increased risk of addiction. 

How Do Genetics Play a Role in Alcohol Abuse?

Genetics plays an important role in determining the risk factors for addiction. Those who have a relative who has been diagnosed with the disease may be at an increased risk of developing the disease themselves. A parent’s or grandparent’s past use of drugs or alcohol can lead to a genetic predisposition to developing AUD. However, AUD is always a personal journey, and genetics are not the only factor at play. 

Just because a person has a relative who has been diagnosed with addiction does not mean that they are guaranteed to develop addiction themselves, only that there is an increased risk. Likewise, addiction is always possible even without this genetic component, and nobody is “immune” to AUD or its effects on their physical and mental health. 

What Other Risks Can Contribute to Alcohol Abuse?

Each person’s journey with alcohol use is unique, and innumerable other factors go into each person’s unique relationship and journey with addictive substances like alcohol. Some of these other potential risk factors can include:

• A person’s age when they had their first drink
• Underlying mental health problems 
• Levels of stress, whether personal or professional
• Lack of developed self-care outlets 
• Unhealthy or ineffective support groups for managing stress or needs

Working with professionals at a local treatment facility, such as Hawaii Island Recovery, to personalize an alcohol detox and recovery journey is paramount for finding the most effective treatment options for each person. Treatment centers play an imperative role in successfully helping people address alcohol use as well as overcome the underlying conditions that led to alcohol dependence.

Signs of Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction is a profound and devastating disease. However, there are signs of the disease that can lead each person to explore detox and professional care. Working with professionals to identify these physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral signs of addiction can empower individuals and families to take action and explore effective treatment for AUD before more negative consequences occur. 

What Are the Physical Signs of Alcohol Addiction?

AUD can have a profound effect on a person’s physical health and central nervous system, both immediately after the use of alcohol and long after the effects of alcohol have worn off. Some of these physical signs of alcohol addiction include: 

• Compromised coordination, slurred speech, and compromised motor skills
• High blood pressure and rapid heart rate
• Elevated body temperature
• Comprmoised personal hygiene
• Gastrointestinal and digestive problems
• Shaking, especially as a symptom of alcohol withdrawal syndrome

The Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Signs of Addiction

However, there are just as many risks to a person’s mental and emotional health as there are to their physical health. Recognizing the mental, emotional, and behavioral signs of alcohol addiction can help friends, family, and loved ones reach out to a healthcare provider or addiction specialist like Hawaii Island Recovery to learn more about the treatment options available. 

These signs include:

• Intense cravings or a preoccupation with alcohol, such as thinking about drinking, how long it has been since a person’s last drink, or when they will be able to drink again
• Impaired judgment and decision-making skills
• Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, anger, or intense mood swings
• Feeling detached from friends, family, and loved ones
• Disinterest in previous hobbies or the ability to tend to personal or professional ambitions
• Intense feelings of guilt, shame, or lowered self-esteem or sense of self-worth

Those living with alcohol addiction may also hide their use from others or adopt a more secretive lifestyle, leaving the house at inconsistent times, becoming more isolated from friends and family members, or even being more secretive around personal spaces, such as locking doors. Inconsistent ability to tend to responsibilities is also common, both at home and through compromised workplace attendance or performance.

How Do I Know If I’m Addicted to Alcohol?

Each person has a unique relationship and history with alcohol. Diagnosing AUD is a complicated and personal journey, and talking to a trained professional about each person’s relationship with alcohol, frequency and intensity of alcohol intake, and factors and challenges that may inform alcohol use is all part of determining how AUD may or may not be impacting a person’s life. However, if someone is asking this question, it usually means that a change of some degree is necessary, and cutting out alcohol is always a healthy option. Calling to talk to a professional is the best way to determine the next step in each person’s healing journey and plan out a personalized recovery journey. 

When Professional Intervention Is Needed

Not all people will necessarily realize the extent to which alcohol impacts daily life. For many, the daily use of alcohol can become so normalized that a person may not realize that there is a problem to address in the first place. Others may recognize the need for change, but find it difficult to take that first step, or may not know where to begin if they don’t feel supported.

Professional intervention and detox programs may be necessary when alcohol begins to interfere with other areas of daily life. Asking oneself or a loved one some important questions can determine the need for professional intervention to take this first step toward healing. These questions include:

• Does alcohol use interfere with everyday life?
• Do you exhibit signs of alcoholism?
• Does alcohol use interfere with relationships at home or work?
• Do you think about drinking often?
• Have you ever drunk more than intended, even if you didn’t want to?
• Do you experience mild or severe alcohol withdrawal when not drinking?
• Have you blacked out or experienced memory loss after heavy drinking?
• Do you drink to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues?

Experiencing negative effects of alcohol use, either in personal relationships, personal life, or even legal challenges, and continuing to use alcohol regardless, can also be a sign that professional intervention is necessary. If alcohol affects overall health and a person finds it difficult to stop, trained professionals are often necessary to better understand addiction and begin the healing process.

How Long to Detox From Alcohol Addiction

Overcoming AUD is challenging, and there is no easy journey or “quick fix” to alcohol addiction or its effects. It takes time and effort to overcome the disease. However, the first step in effective healing is always detox. Understanding the alcohol detox timeline and expectations can ensure that each person can begin their journey with the right expectations and goals for an effective healing journey. 

Do I Need Detoxification for Alcohol?

Detox is an essential part of recovery and healing. Before a person can make meaningful and sustainable changes to their lives in sobriety, it is paramount to first expel the traces of alcohol from their body. However, it can be impossible to know exactly how each person will react to the cessation of alcohol use, with withdrawal symptoms bringing any number of unique challenges. Some severe withdrawal symptoms may demand medical attention, with medical supervision and medical advice being crucial parts of overcoming this first major step in healing. 

There is no replacement for trained, professional detox programs to navigate these challenges. These professionals can also help answer important questions, from helping set expectations to exploring questions like, “How long does it take to detox from alcohol?” as well as any other concerns during this important time. 

How Long Does it Take to Detox From Alcohol?

Taking the first step into detox is an amazing accomplishment. However, it is also challenging. Knowing what to expect is crucial, as each person sets expectations and plans for each different timeframe in detox. 

• First 6-12 hours: This is when withdrawal symptoms can set in, and can come with any number of mental health challenges, shaking, anxiety, and intense cravings to engage with alcohol. While this is normal, these symptoms can be even more challenging for heavy users. 
• Next 12-24 hours: During this timeframe, withdrawal symptoms can continue and often continue to worsen. Intense headaches, nausea, and mood swings are common as the brain and body begin to adjust to the absence of alcohol. Confusion and agitation are also common, and a person may react emotionally to perceived stresses or challenges. 
• 24-72 hours: This point is when withdrawal symptoms can be at their most intense. Severe withdrawal symptoms like delirium tremens (DTs) are also possible, and present an even life-threatening challenge to some beginning their journey to overcome alcohol addiction. Yet, this major hurdle also marks the beginning of change as the body and mind begin to readjust to a life without alcohol. After this milestone, withdrawal symptoms will start to lessen as a person moves further through detox. 

What Factors Can Influence the Detox Process?

“How long does alcohol detox take?” is a loaded question, and each person will have their timeline and challenges to overcome. There are a myriad of factors that can affect the length of detox and how a person approaches their transition to inpatient treatment or outpatient care. Some of these factors include:

• Length and intensity of alcohol use
• Access to an educated support system
• Underlying mental health needs
• Use of other substances in addition to alcohol, such as marijuana, opioids, or other drugs
• Personal motivation and reasons for change

Rather than asking, “How long does it take to detox from alcohol?” focusing instead on personal goals, daily progress, symptom management, and recovery goals can be more impactful. Each person will heal at their own pace, and setting arbitrary dates can lead to unnecessary limitations or unhealthy expectations. 

Identifying Withdrawal Symptoms

Navigating withdrawal symptoms is a major challenge of alcohol detox, and can impact how long it takes to detox from alcohol. These symptoms can increase the chance of relapse, simply to get these difficult symptoms to stop. Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms include mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and mood swings, as well as physical symptoms like shaking, nausea, vomiting, tremors, and more. Insomnia is also common, as well as unexplained aches and pains, headaches, changes in body temperature, and more. 

While the exact withdrawal symptoms that a person experiences are unique, those living with AUD and taking their first step into detox should expect some level of withdrawal. However, if a person does experience withdrawal symptoms, that doesn’t mean that they are beyond healing. Preparing for these symptoms of alcohol withdrawal while under the supervision of trained professionals can provide the best support for overcoming these challenges and transitioning to further care in sobriety. 

Managing Withdrawal Symptoms

While challenging, there are always options for managing withdrawal symptoms, with professional medical supervision being an integral part of success in alcohol detox. For some, medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, can help address specific alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Benzodiazepines like diazepam, if used under the supervision of a medical professional, can provide effective support in overcoming withdrawal. 

However, medication is not a replacement for therapy and hard work in addiction treatment, nor will it “fix” addiction or detox. It provides an additional form of support for some people throughout the process. Talking to a professional about expectations and each person’s unique challenges is paramount before considering medication in each person’s journey. 

Access to trained therapeutic support, emotional support, and medical advice is the best approach to not just overcoming alcohol withdrawal symptoms but also beginning to build skills in sobriety as you transition to residential treatment or an intensive outpatient program. 

Continuing Treatment Following Detox

Detox is an incredible first step in sobriety. However, graduating from a dedicated detox program like the one available at Hawaii Island Recovery does not mean that a person’s journey with healing has concluded, or that they are “cured” of addiction. There can still be any number of challenges ahead, and it will take continued hard work and support to make the lifestyle changes necessary to maintain sobriety in daily life. 

Transitioning to residential treatment to engage in personalized therapy, intensive outpatient programs as a person transitions out of a curated recovery space, and engaging in ongoing sober support groups like local recovery groups or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings are all part of continuing treatment following detox. 

Alcohol use disorder is a devastating disease, and finding the right support and detox to begin your healing journey is challenging. We at Hawaii Island Recovery understand how difficult it can be to take that first step into detox and treatment, embracing uncertainties while facing new challenges and vulnerability. At our dedicated detox program in Hawaii, we create an effective and supportive atmosphere to begin your journey, focusing on not just your healing but also on sustainable change for an alcohol-free life. From helping you navigate detox to transitioning to inpatient care and intensive outpatient programs, we are with you every step of the way, and detox is just the beginning of change. Call us today at (866) 390-5070.