Alcohol withdrawal is known for having some of the most severe and dangerous symptoms. The fear of a protracted, painful withdrawal can make people struggling with alcohol addiction hesitant to quit. However, you should not put off getting sober to avoid withdrawal. With the assistance of a professional alcohol detox program, you can get through withdrawal safely and more comfortably.
At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston, we want you to feel confident reaching out to us for help with alcohol addiction. We realize that the withdrawal symptoms can be scary, but we will be there for you every step of the way. With the help of medications and 24/7 support, our alcohol detox program will help you achieve the sobriety you deserve. Call us today at 866.516.8356 to learn how we can make alcohol withdrawal more manageable.
How Long Does Alcohol Withdrawal Last?
If you have ever tried to quit cold turkey, you may not have made it through withdrawal to know how long it lasts. The withdrawal symptoms can be so unbearable that many people relapse to get relief from the discomfort.
So, how long does alcohol withdrawal last? The answer is not so simple. The average length of withdrawal is four to five days for most people. However, several factors can affect how long alcohol withdrawal will last for you:
- How long you have been drinking – Someone who has been drinking for many years will experience more severe, lengthier withdrawal symptoms.
- How much you drink – Alcohol withdrawal can be longer and more uncomfortable for those who drink heavily.
- Whether you have gone through alcohol detox before – Your body may struggle with withdrawal symptoms longer if you have tried to quit in the past.
Considering your alcohol use history, you can estimate how long your alcohol withdrawal will last. However, the more severe addiction is, the more prolonged the withdrawal.
A Typical Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline
Knowing what to expect during alcohol withdrawal can help prepare you for the symptoms. If you choose to get help from an alcohol detox center, you will have the advantage of medications to help relieve the symptoms. Here is an alcohol withdrawal timeline to give you an idea of what you may experience after your last drink:
- 5 to 10 hours later – The earliest withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, irritability, tremors, and rapid heartbeat, will appear. People with severe alcoholism may have seizures if they go this long without a drink.
- 12 to 24 hours later – You may experience alcohol hallucinations which involve hearing, seeing, or feeling things that are not there, such as thinking bugs are crawling on your skin. These hallucinations can cause intense fear and anxiety and can last up to 48 hours.
- 24 to 48 hours later – Withdrawal symptoms will continue, such as headaches, digestive upset, and an increased risk for seizures. If your addiction is mild, your symptoms will likely peak at this time and taper off over the next couple of days.
- 48 to 72 hours later – This is a typical time for delirium tremens (DTs) for those with severe addiction. Some symptoms include fever, seizures, confusion, hallucinations, and excessive sweating that can last one week.
- 72 hours and beyond – For most people, alcohol withdrawal tapers off after five days, but it can last up to one week or more for severe alcohol addiction.
To stay safe and reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms as you detox from alcohol, we recommend that you enroll in an alcohol detox center program.
Detox More Comfortably at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston
If fear of alcohol withdrawal keeps you stuck in addiction, reach out to Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston for the help you need for more comfortable alcohol detox. Our caring team of professionals will be there for you around the clock to administer medication and provide support for your recovery. Call us today at 866.516.8356 to end your alcohol addiction for good.
