Alcohol withdrawal can be a dangerous and potentially life-threatening process, especially for those with a long history of heavy drinking. A clinical team provides 24/7 monitoring to track vital signs and can intervene immediately if dangerous complications arise. They administer medications, like benzodiazepines, to prevent seizures and manage severe anxiety. They also provide supportive care, such as IV fluids and vitamins, to keep you stable and as comfortable as possible, creating a safe foundation for your recovery. Thinking you can quit alcohol “cold turkey” at home isn’t about willpower.
Should You Stop Drinking Suddenly?
Cortland moved to Colorado in 2015 to start his first addiction treatment program, AspenRidge Recovery. Under his tenure, AspenRidge Recovery became a two-location, nationally accredited organization. He has since spent the last two years researching and developing what is now Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery (CMAR). Understanding the side effects of detoxing is a crucial step in making informed, healthy decisions about recovery.
- Alcohol detox is the process of eliminating alcohol from the body, marking the first stage of treatment for alcohol addiction.
- While rare in the first 24 hours, visual hallucinations can occur in sensitive individuals.
Drug Withdrawal: Definition, Causes, Effects, Signs & Symptoms, Treatment
- The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a substance use disorder.
- Studies show support groups play an instrumental role in helping people develop healthy social networks that result in continued sobriety.
- These sleep disturbances occur because your body is adjusting to the absence of alcohol.
- Early withdrawal begins within hours after the last drink, bringing mild symptoms like anxiety and nausea.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be greatly reduced or even eliminated with proper medical care. There are specific treatments available for anyone who wants to stop drinking—even after long-term, chronic alcohol use. In addition to experiencing Stage 2 symptoms, those with severe alcohol withdrawal experience severe anxiety and moderate to severe tremors. The exact timeline for alcohol withdrawal varies from person to person. It’s based on several factors, including how long, how much, and how regularly you have been drinking alcohol. Lasting from several days to weeks, this stage involves lingering symptoms such as fatigue, mood swings, and sleep disturbances.
Lifelong and Long-Term Impacts of Quitting Drinking
Typically, the mild to moderate detox side effects from alcohol resolve within five to seven days. Physical symptoms can last up to 10 days, whereas psychological symptoms can last much longer. Undergoing detox ensures you receive the support, care, and medical attention you need to overcome your addiction. You’ll likely experience initial physical reactions like nausea, sweating, and tremors during the first day. By hours, symptom progression intensifies, potentially including raised blood pressure, severe anxiety, and in some cases, seizures. The most critical period occurs between hours, when Sober living house you’re at highest risk for delirium tremens and may face respiratory difficulties or metabolic imbalances.
Michael is honored to be leading the clinical care team at CMAR and believes that excellent clinical care begins by simply treating a patient with dignity and respect. Michael is a strong advocate for ethical reform within the addiction treatment field and is excited to promote CMAR as an ethical and thought leader throughout the treatment & recovery industry. Michael earned his master’s degree in social work from the University of Denver and is independently licensed as a clinical social worker with the state of alcohol detox side effects Colorado. Maggie Coyle, MS, MA, LPP, LPCC has worked in the mental health and addictions counseling field for the past six years. She has extensive experience in working in the varying levels of mental health and addictions treatment as well as with diverse populations. Cortland Mathers-Suter entered the treatment space after his own battle with addiction.
