With over 80 percent of people aged 12 and older in the U.S. having reported drinking at least once in their lifetime, it is safe to say that drinking it is a common activity in our society today. For most people, alcohol plays only an occasional role in their lives; for others, it is a daily habit. But if a person abuses alcohol, which can include drinking daily or binge drinking at least once per week, the more likely they are to develop an alcohol addiction, also called an alcohol use disorder. The length of time it takes for  alcohol detox can vary depending on the age, length of use, amount of consumption and various other factors. Learn more below.

When you are addicted to alcohol, this means that your body is used to it being in your system. If you stop drinking, your system has a negative reaction which is what causes withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol detox is the process of getting all of the alcohol out of your system; at a detox facility, this process is made easier and faster with the use of medications. There are a few different medications used to help the alcohol detox timeline. These include:

The alcohol detox timeline usually happens in three different stages. Stage one begins within just a few hours of the last time you drank alcohol, and includes more mild symptoms like headache, mild tremors, or an upset stomach. Stage two usually begins about 24 hours later, with more severe symptoms like nightmares, insomnia, worsening tremors, stomach and digestive issues, and sometimes hallucinations. In 2 to 3 days, stage three will begin. This is the stage where your withdrawal symptoms will peak before eventually tapering off. Most people are free of withdrawal symptoms after 1 to 2 weeks. The alcohol detox timeline is different for every person. It can last as little as just a few days, to upwards of a few months if you are severely addicted, or do not detox at a rehab facility.

For many people, the fear of not knowing how long it will take them to detox can be just as difficult to overcome as the symptoms of withdrawal. But if you seek help at a facility with an alcohol detox program, you can get the help you need to get through the detox process as quickly and comfortably as possible. Remember that, no matter how unpleasant detox is, it is a much better alternative to continuing to allow alcohol to control your life – and keep causing damage to both your physical and mental health.

If you have questions about alcohol detox or the alcohol detox timeline, we are here to help you. Contact us today or give us a call at  (877) 789-6707 to discuss your needs and concerns with our highly-trained team of experts, and find out just how our program can help you get your life back.