People who are addicted to alcohol typically experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop drinking. Without proper medical supervision, alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous and even deadly, which is why alcohol detox at home is never advisable if you have an alcohol use disorder.
Some people who drink heavily decide to quit “cold turkey” or drastically reduce the amount they drink. However, when you regularly consume excessive amounts of alcohol, significant changes occur within your brain and body. This can lead to an alcohol use disorder (AUD), which used to be called addiction.
What Is Alcohol Detox?
Alcohol detox is the process of your body physically and mentally withdrawing from alcohol. Over time, with heavy alcohol use, your body begins to rely on it to function. Without supervision and the assistance of medication, the process of detox can be extremely uncomfortable, especially if you undergo it at home.
Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
The first symptoms can appear a few hours after your last drink. Physical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:
- Heart palpitations
- Headache
- Tremors or shaky hands
- Cravings
- Nightmares
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Headaches
Alcohol withdrawal also can include psychological symptoms, such as:
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
Not everyone experiences every symptom. You might not experience many of these symptoms if you only drink occasionally. However, symptoms can be more intense for heavier drinkers.
What Is the Timeline for Alcohol Withdrawal?
Although the timeline for alcohol withdrawal varies, it is generally as follows:
- Two hours after the last drink – Mild symptoms set in, including shakes, headaches, anxiety, and depression.
- 12 to 24 hours – For those who experience severe withdrawal, delirium tremors, and visual and auditory hallucinations may set in at this point.
- About 48 hours – Symptoms should start to decrease as your body adjusts to functioning without alcohol.
This entire process should take between three to seven days after you’ve had your last drink. However, depending on the severity of your addiction, your experience may vary.
What Is the Biggest Risk of Withdrawing from Alcohol at Home?
The biggest risk of withdrawing from alcohol at home is death. As the death of actor Nelsan Ellis sadly demonstrated, withdrawal from alcohol can be deadly when a person is not under the care of a healthcare provider.
What Are Some Other Complications?
There are many serious risks of detoxing at home. During the first couple of days, the initial symptoms will start to set in and intensify. If you have a long history of alcohol use and are a heavy user, you may also experience further complications, specifically seizures, hallucinations, and delirium tremens.
Seizures and Hallucinations
Some people begin to hallucinate in as little as 12 hours. However, it can happen as late as 48 hours later. Seizures are another complication of alcohol withdrawal. Both conditions are extremely dangerous without prompt medical treatment.
When people experience alcohol-related hallucinations, they may see, feel, and hear things that aren’t there. Most alcohol withdrawal seizures are severe and are known as tonic-clonic seizures. They may also be fatal without emergency medical attention.
Delirium Tremens
Delirium tremens (also known as DTs) is a hallmark of severe alcohol withdrawal and can set in within two to five days after your last drink. Without medical treatment, this condition has a mortality rate of up to 37%. Symptoms related to delirium tremens include:
- Hallucinations
- Agitation, confusion and anxiety
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Fast heart rate
- Tremors
- Heavy sweating
- Severe disorientation
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chest pains
- Auditory and visual sensitivity
The heavier your alcohol intake is, the greater your risk of developing delirium tremens. It is also more prevalent in older adults and those with medical problems.
Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
At Footprints to Recovery, treatment for AUD usually begins with medical detox, depending on the severity of use. After detox, you may enter into one of several different rehabilitation treatment options.
Medical Detox
The significant side effects associated with alcohol withdrawal, along with the potential for severe complications, make it necessary to detox under the supervision of medical professionals. These professionals can intervene in an emergency and provide you with medication to make the process more comfortable.
Residential Treatment
Residential treatment is the highest level of care for alcohol and drug addiction, often starting after detox. It provides a safe, comfortable environment away from triggers, allowing you to focus on recovery. Days include individual and group therapy, while evenings offer recovery activities and time to reflect on coping skills.
Intensive Outpatient Program
Intensive outpatient treatment programs (IOP) allow clients to participate in therapeutic programming while living in a sober living home or at their place of residence.
Partial Hospitalization
Partial hospitalization programs also allow clients to live at home instead of at a treatment center. The primary difference between partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs is that partial hospitalization is more intensive and requires a longer time commitment than IOP.
Outpatient Rehabilitation
Outpatient rehabilitation is a less intensive treatment option than inpatient rehabilitation. However, you still receive comprehensive addiction treatment while still keeping up with responsibilities outside of the program.
People often participate in several treatment options as they progress through their recovery journey. The goal of each option is to help you understand the causes of your alcohol use and to develop coping skills to help you along the way.
It’s challenging to cope with alcohol use disorder, especially if you are unsure how to begin detoxing your body from alcohol safely. If you’re ready to get help, Footprints to Recovery is here for you. By reaching out today, you can take the first steps toward a life without alcohol and break free from addiction.
