It’s finally time. After a person acknowledges they have substance use disorder, they are ready to begin their recovery. However, before they begin, they need to stop. Their first impulse might be to quit “cold turkey,” but this is actually dangerous. Medical supervision is actually really important in the first 72 hours of detox. If they try to simply power through, then they may experience acute alcohol withdrawal without any assistance. Doing that, however tempting, is dangerous.

Managing detox withdrawal symptoms is more than simply stopping drinking. It means dealing with symptoms that require medical detox monitoring. Because the early detox timeline can be dangerous and confusing, it's also important for a patient to understand what they're getting into. Instead of going in blind and alone, it’s helpful to research the detoxification process stages and seek intervention for one’s acute alcohol withdrawal.

Why is Medical Supervision Important During Early Detox?

Medical supervision is important during early detox because the symptoms of withdrawal can be dangerous or even fatal without intervention. Quitting “cold turkey” without medical help For example, a person who drinks large amounts of alcohol may experience delirium tremens, a life-threatening set of withdrawal symptoms that require around-the-clock-care. In addition, if a person has experienced withdrawal before, they are likely to have more severe symptoms the next time round.

How Long Does Acute Detox Last?

Acute detox lasts up to 72 hours, with symptoms at their worst between 24 and 72 hours after a person stops drinking. Of these dangerous symptoms, tremors, hallucinations, seizures, and other delirium tremens symptoms usually start after about 48 hours of abstinence. Once the most difficult part is over, some symptoms may linger for weeks or months after.

What is Alcohol Withdrawal?

Alcohol withdrawal refers to the mental and physical symptoms a person experiences when they stop or cut back on substance use, especially if they’ve used excessively for weeks, months, or years. This happens because when a person drinks excessively, their nervous system gets used to having alcohol around and works harder to keep the brain more awake. When that level suddenly drops, the brain continues to be overactive. 

About half of all people with alcohol use disorder will experience alcohol withdrawal. These symptoms can be mild, but they can also be serious or even life-threatening. There are three different stages of alcohol withdrawal: mild, where a person can recover on their own with support and rest, moderate, where a person will need medications and doctor supervision, and severe, where a person is at risk for more serious complications and may require overnight supervision.

What are Delirium Tremens?

Delirium tremens are possibly life-threatening symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. These symptoms occur due to changes in brain activity when a person stops drinking, and can include trouble thinking clearly, focusing, or speaking and understanding others. A person experiencing delirium tremens may not be aware of where they are or the date, may be quick to anger or violence, or may otherwise act unusually. Strangely slow movements, decreased facial expressions, and apathy are also symptoms. Because delirium tremens can be fatal, it is important to seek medical supervision.

What Should I Expect During Detox?

Detox involves procedures to figure out what level of care a person needs and administer the proper support. A person interested in detox will first go through an intake exam, where they may get blood work done, talk about their health and drinking history, and undergo tests for physical and mental health. It is during this time that their care will be decided on.

Next, a person will receive detox support. This can come in the form of care for detox-related issues and medicine to address symptoms of withdrawal. Temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing will be monitored during this process. Treatment will continue until a person is mentally and physically stable.

Finally, after detox, a person will be ferried into treatment in order to address their addiction at the source.

The Stages of Detox

Detox itself doesn’t happen all at once. As time passes after a person’s last drink, they will experience more symptoms at differing levels of severity.

6-12 Hours

Symptoms of withdrawal begin about 6 hours after a person stops drinking. These can include anxiety, shaky hands, headaches, nausea and vomiting, insomnia, and sweating.

12-48 Hours

More serious symptoms begin 12-48 hours after a person stops drinking. These can include hallucinations, when a person sees things that aren’t there, and can escalate to seizures in the first 48 hours.

48-72 Hours

Beginning about 28-72 hours after a person with alcohol dependence suddenly stops drinking, delirium tremens affect about 1% of adults with alcohol use disorder. A person is more likely to experience delirium tremens if they have moderate to severe alcohol use disorder. If a person has delirium tremens, they may last for several days and are most intense 4-5 days after a person ends their alcohol consumption. As discussed earlier, delirium tremens require intensive care in order to keep the person experiencing them safe.

What are the Next Steps?

Detox can be a challenge, but it is only the first step on a long road to recover. As stated earlier, after a patient is stabilized, they are fostered into treatment. At this point in the recovery process it’s very important to follow through into the continuum of care, and healthcare providers will stress this fact to patients. If a patient has undergone detox before but failed to engage in subsequent substance use disorder treatment, they may be encouraged to sign a written treatment contract when they are stable enough to do so. While not legally binding, a patient will agree to participate in and set up a plan for their care continuing after detox.

Make Sure Your Detox is Safe with Never Alone Recovery

As explored in this piece, it can be extremely dangerous to attempt detox without medical supervision. Even if a person’s substance use disorder is less serious and doesn’t require hospitalization to manage symptoms, they should still check in with a medical specialist in order to figure out the exact care they need. 
Not everyone is even ready to take that first step. If you or a loved one is suffering from substance use disorder, Never Alone Recovery can help. With our support for families of addicts and access to addiction recovery consultants, we can get you in touch with insurance-approved rehab. If you want to hear more about our online support group and intervention support, call us at 18444222311, or visit our website to verify your insurance. Whether you’re looking for rehabs that take insurance or simple recovery education, one of our Never Alone programs may be able to help.