If you’ve ever had a hangover, then you already have a general idea of how your body can feel after indulging in too much alcohol. Alcoholism is a condition that causes your body to develop a physical dependency that can make it harder to stop drinking. Most heavy drinkers will develop some type of detox symptoms if they stop drinking alcohol suddenly, but that doesn’t always mean that you will experience the worst case scenario. If you’ve been putting off drinking out of the fear that you might experience serious detox symptoms, then it may help to know what to expect when you detox from alcohol. Your reaction to alcohol detox depends upon multiple factors such as how long you’ve been drinking, the amount you drink and your general health. However, you can expect to go through a general timeline of symptoms that can all impact your ability to get sober.
The first six to 12 hours after you stop drinking are probably the easiest. At this point, you are likely sleeping off your last drinks. Once you wake up, you are likely to experience general hangover symptoms such as nausea, irritability and a headache. If you’ve ever had a drink first thing after you wake up, then you might have been self-medicating as an attempt to deal with these symptoms.
Once you start reaching the 24-hour point after you’ve stopped drinking, you might notice that these symptoms become more serious. Your symptoms around the one to three day mark can include the following:
- sweating
- insomnia
- mood swings
- tremors
You might also experience these signs of acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome that require immediate medical attention:
- seizures
- hallucinations
- disorientation and confusion
- rapid heart rate or high blood pressure
- delirium tremens
Not everyone will advance to the worst symptoms, but it is important to monitor your health to make sure you detox safely. For most people, the symptoms of detox tend to come and go towards the end of the first week. However, you might still experience some of the milder symptoms for many months after you quit drinking. Cravings are also known to continue for many years or even for a lifetime. Seeking professional alcohol treatment makes it safer for you to detox, and you’ll benefit from having help with learning how to manage your cravings as you advance in your sobriety.
Make It Through Alcohol Detox and Beyond With Professional Support
Doing anything new is easier when you have compassionate people around you providing support. If you think about it, you’ve likely had someone with you during many of your firsts in life, and it just makes sense to seek out support for alcohol detox. In an alcohol treatment center, you’ll have someone nearby to help you if you suddenly develop the more severe symptoms of detox. If you only have mild symptoms, you’ll still benefit from having people who can help you manage your anxiety or encourage you not to pick up a drink. Your alcohol treatment program also extends beyond the detox period. In rehab, you get the advantage of learning how to avoid ever having to worry about going through detox again.
Professional counseling is critical for people who need to learn how to cope with the stresses in their life without turning to alcohol. As the effects of alcohol and the withdrawal symptoms begin to leave your body, you might begin to notice that you have other challenges to deal with. Many people realize that they’ve been drinking to deal with their depression, anxiety or PTSD once they are sober enough to think clearly about their emotions and life situation. Your relationships may also change as you go through detox. You might realize how much your drinking habits have impacted your marriage, or you may be faced with having to end certain relationships. These issues are easier to manage with group and family counseling, which is another service that you’ll find helpful when you go to an alcohol treatment center. While you might not always be able to anticipate how your body and mind will react to quitting drinking, you can expect that attending a treatment program will help you deal with whatever your first weeks of sobriety throw your way. Being in a safe environment with people who care always makes it easier to take the steps you need to change your life.
Are you still wondering how your body will react if you stop drinking? We can help you know more about what to expect and how to stay comfortable. Give us a call today at 833-846-5669.