How Long Does Alcohol Detox Take?

How Long Does Alcohol Detox Take?

How Long Does Alcohol Detox Take?

Maybe you’ve been hiding a drinking problem for a while. However, you don’t want to keep waking up to withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, you’re thinking of entering rehab. But what is the average length of an alcohol detox program? You will need to make time for addiction treatment to overcome this problem with alcohol. At Santé Center for Healing, our experienced team of alcohol addiction rehab professionals can guide you through the detox process. We can then work with you to design a treatment plan that meets your needs. Call 866.238.3154 today to speak with someone from our caring and compassionate staff about our alcohol detox in Texas.

About Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Even though alcohol initially perks you up a little, it’s a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. This means that it has sedative effects. When you keep giving your body a sedative at high doses, your brain works hard to maintain nervous system interactivity. This puts a strain on not just your brain function but on other major organs as well, like your liver, heart, and lungs. As the concentration of the chemicals goes down your system, your brain works overtime. That’s why you wake up to symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Therapists at any good-quality alcohol detox program routinely work with participants who report several types of withdrawal symptoms, such as:

  • Building anxiety
  • Gastrointestinal (GI) upset
  • Hand tremors
  • Insomnia
  • Hallucinations

In medically supervised detox, individuals can work through their withdrawal symptoms comfortably with professionals monitoring their condition. If withdrawal symptoms begin to cause any medical complications, our caring and compassionate staff is there to help.

Average Length of an Alcohol Detox Program

Your withdrawal timeline will vary from someone else’s—factor in your age, gender, weight, and overall health. Next, consider how long you’ve struggled with a drinking problem. These factors contribute to the overall presentation of your detoxification experience. As a general rule of thumb, detox might take four to 10 days. Some people go through it quickly. They can move on to rehab right away. Others need more time for the body to regain equilibrium. How long does alcohol detox take when you also abuse other drugs? Again, the timeline varies. Because another drug adds more withdrawal symptoms and chemical reactions, it might take longer. That said, medical detox is a process that closely monitors your progress and intervenes with pharmacological support if necessary. It’s safe and keeps you comfortable. Because alcohol detox presents some withdrawal symptoms that could be dangerous, professional assistance is essential. For most people, it requires moving to the detox center. Once there, you settle in, make yourself comfortable, and begin the withdrawal process.

What to Expect from Further Addiction Treatment

Detoxification programs only break the physiological dependency. It doesn’t address psychological addiction. Therefore, you could still fall victim to triggers and stressors, resulting in a return to alcohol abuse. Entering rehab after detox is vital to protect your sobriety and continued care. Treatment paths vary depending on your needs. Examples include:

  • Residential detoxification – Provides a safe, home-like environment and 24/7 care
  • Outpatient programs – For patients who don’t require 24/7 care
  • Inpatient care – Provides supervised care and a stable environment
  • Dual diagnosis treatment – For individuals with substance abuse and mental health challenges
  • Intensive outpatient treatment – This is a step-down option that benefits individuals who are near program graduation
  • Transitional living – This could last anywhere from three months to two years, depending on your needs

At Santé Center for Healing, we offer several programs to meet your needs. These programs can help individuals learn to identify the root causes of their alcohol addiction, learn the skills to avoid and overcome triggers and build a supportive community to help them recover.

Find an Alcohol Detox Program in Texas at Santé Center for Healing

Because you don’t want to do this more often than necessary, taking your time with each step is vital. How long does alcohol detox take in your particular case? Contact Santé Center for Healing today at 866.238.3154 to learn more.