Alcohol withdrawal is a challenging process. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol abuse, it’s important to stop drinking. However, the process of withdrawing from alcohol can be lengthy and challenging, depending on the severity of your addiction.
The journey of alcohol withdrawal differs from person to person but often comes with a range of physical and psychological symptoms. Before withdrawing from alcohol, it’s beneficial to understand the duration of alcohol withdrawal.
This way, you’ll have a better idea of what to expect and be able to manage your symptoms better. To find out more about the duration of alcohol withdrawal, continue reading.
Understanding Alcohol Withdrawal
Essentially, alcohol withdrawal occurs when someone who regularly drinks decides to reduce their intake or stop altogether.
Both the severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms vary depending on several factors, such as your health, underlying medical conditions, and the amount of alcohol you’ve been consuming. If you drink alcohol frequently or know someone who does, an addiction is likely brewing.
Living with alcohol problems can be tedious, and it’s important to stop drinking if you want to prevent damaging your body. Alcohol dependence comes with an array of issues; alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways and can affect the way the brain looks and works.
Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline
Alcohol is highly addictive, causing much harm to your body. The duration of alcohol withdrawal is different for all individuals. This is because some addictions are more severe than others, and our bodies react in different ways. However, alcohol withdrawal typically follows a similar timeline. Let’s take a look at what to expect during alcohol withdrawal.
Initial Symptoms
Typically, the first signs of alcohol withdrawal appear within six to 12 hours after finishing your last drink. The initial symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are tremors, anxiety, and sweating, to name a few. While these initial symptoms are uncomfortable, they’re usually quite mild in nature and can be dealt with easily.
Peak Symptoms
The peak of alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually occurs within the first 24 to 72 hours after drinking. During this stage, symptoms typically become worse, and some individuals experience more intense symptoms, including elevated heart rate, low mood, and irritability. If symptoms become more severe, it’s important to seek medical attention.
Resolution
Once peak symptoms become easier to manage and less intense, withdrawal becomes a little easier over the next five to seven days. People are likely to still experience some challenging symptoms, especially if their struggles with alcohol abuse are more severe.
Lingering anxiety and sleep issues could potentially be experienced. Although your body should cope easier without the use of alcohol by this stage, some people still find it a struggle.
Although it’s possible to withdraw from alcohol alone, it’s safer to do so in an environment surrounded by professionals who remain on hand to help you. If you’ve withdrawn from alcohol and find yourself still facing some challenges or temptations, it’s vital to seek support.
Factors Influencing Alcohol Withdrawal Duration
Several factors can significantly impact both the duration and severity of alcohol withdrawal. It’s important to understand these factors before you withdraw from alcohol. Understanding these factors could help you deal with your symptoms easier when they do come around.
The more alcohol you consume over a long period, the more severe the withdrawal symptoms are likely to be. Although this doesn’t happen in every case, there’s a greater chance that your body will struggle without alcohol if you’ve been drinking a lot.
As well as alcohol consumption, individual health factors can impact your withdrawal symptoms. Pre-existing medical conditions, age, and overall health could potentially affect how your body reacts to withdrawal.
If this isn’t your first time going through alcohol withdrawal, you’ll know what to expect. However, individuals who have attempted withdrawal previously might experience symptoms that are harder to manage. Undoubtedly, medical interventions, such as detoxification, can help manage withdrawal symptoms as well as potentially shorten the duration of withdrawal.
Seeking Support for Alcohol Addiction
Seeking support for alcohol addiction is key. Whether it’s yourself or a close loved one who’s living with an alcohol addiction, it’s vital to get help as soon as possible. Although addiction can happen to anyone, Alcohol-use disorders (AUD) commonly occur in people with other severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
So there’s no denying that alcohol addiction can vastly affect your mental health. Speaking with an alcohol counsellor or undergoing cognitive behavioural therapy is all well and good, but residential rehabilitation is the best option for individuals with addiction issues.
Attending rehab comes with many benefits. Not only does rehab offer a safe and comfortable environment for those struggling with both drug and alcohol misuse, but it also allows you time to gather your thoughts and focus on a healthier future while seeking appropriate help.
There are numerous treatment options available at rehab, and there is no doubt that your chosen rehab centre will work closely alongside you before you begin your journey with them to find the best options for you. Here at Verve Healthcare, we refer individuals to the best-suited rehab centres.
Our job is to find a safe and welcoming rehab centre for you to attend. We assess your needs and circumstances before finding suitable clinic options. At rehab, you’ll have access to round-the-clock care, with the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and attend alcohol addiction counselling sessions, whether alone or as part of a group.
Rehab allows you to manage your withdrawal safely while preparing yourself for the return to the real world. If you’d like to withdraw from alcohol in a safe environment, allow Verve Healthcare to refer you to a suitable rehab centre. We look forward to hearing from you.