How Long Does It Take To Detox From Alcohol?
Detoxing is a critical part of the recovery process as it relates to alcohol use disorder (AUD). It is also important to understand that alcohol is one of the most dangerous substances to detox from. In fact, if not done safely and securely, a detox from alcohol can even be deadly. The good news is that there are many safe and effective treatment options available for alcohol use disorder once an individual undergoes detox from alcohol.
The Prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorder and Addiction
Many people don’t realize that AUD is actually the most common addiction both in the U.S. and around the world. In other words, millions of people struggle with AUD every day.
Also, many people don’t realize that AUD is a disease, not a condition that someone chooses for themselves or a type of moral failing. Despite what some people may believe, AUD is comparable to chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, or heart disease.
AUD is also one of the leading causes of preventable deaths. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), “The Alcohol-Related Disease Impact application estimates that each year there are more than 178,000 deaths (approximately 120,000 male deaths and 59,000 female deaths) attributable to excessive alcohol use, making alcohol one of the leading preventable causes of death in the United States, behind tobacco, poor diet and physical inactivity, and illegal drugs.”
The Prevalence of Co-Occurring Disorders of Mental Illness and Addiction
Many people also don’t realize just how common addictions like AUD and other co-occurring mental illnesses can be. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “7.7 million adults have co-occurring mental and substance use disorders. Of the 20.3 million adults with substance use disorders, 37.9% also had mental illnesses. Among the 42.1 million adults with mental illness, 18.2% also had substance use disorders.”
The issue is that many times co-occurring issues of mental health can overshadow the issues of addiction. This is why being able to spot the signs of AUD can be so critical. It can mean the difference between life and death.
The Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder
Now, of course, the signs and symptoms of AUD are going to vary based on the individual. However, there are many universal signs and symptoms that there may be a problem. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:
- Feeling an overwhelming sense of dread
- Not being able to stop drinking once started
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Losing interest in activities and hobbies once enjoyed
- Experiencing otherwise unexplained physical symptoms like headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
- Feeling overly anxious, nervous, or “stressed out”
- Experiencing troubles with sleeping patterns, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
- Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness (depression)
- Experiencing alcohol-related trouble at work or school
- Committing self-harm
- Having suicidal ideations
As one can see, these are significant issues, which is why if any, many, or all of the symptoms manifest, it is important to seek help sooner rather than later. Doing so could mean the difference between experiencing short-term side effects and long-term consequences of AUD.
How Long Does It Take To Detox From Alcohol?
A detox from alcohol can take a couple of days to a week or more, depending on the individual and the amount of alcohol consumed. More important than the amount of time a detox takes, is how safe and secure the detox is.
It is also important to never detox from alcohol on one’s own. Doing so could be deadly. This is why reaching out to a professional for help is always the best and safest route to take.
The Next Steps After a Detox From Alcohol
A professional detox from alcohol is also the best way to connect to the next steps of recovery. This may include residential addiction care or an intensive outpatient program (IOP).
These recovery programs often offer many different means, methods, and modalities to treat AUD and any other presenting problems. Oftentimes, this includes psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Treatment programs also often offer experiential therapies like nature immersion therapy and holistic healing methods like yoga therapy and mindfulness meditation to facilitate whole-person recovery.
The key is to find the right recovery program and the right treatment methods for the individual. This is how one can begin to heal from the inside out.
The Phoenix Difference at The Phoenix Recovery Center
Here at The Phoenix Recovery Center, we believe in long-term success over short-term fixes. That is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive with a focus on the future.
We also believe in the Phoenix Difference – “Empowering individuals and families suffering from addiction and mental health disorders, to celebrate life through lasting solutions.” Recovery is out there. The key is to know where to look.
Many people don’t realize just how dangerous detoxing from alcohol can actually be. In fact, alcohol is one of the few substances that can have fatal consequences during detox. The good news is that there are safe and effective ways to detox from alcohol. The key is to reach out to the professionals for help. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the positive path toward recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about detoxing from alcohol, please reach out to The Phoenix Recovery Center today at (801) 438-3185.
