Quitting Alcohol Timeline: What to Expect in Weeks 1-3

A severe case of alcohol withdrawal can lead to complications, some of which can be life-threatening. To prevent this, your doctor may suggest a treatment program where you stay overnight. That way, you can get 24-7 support for your mental health and physical symptoms. When a person stops drinking alcohol, the body starts detoxification and healing processes. These changes range from mild discomfort to serious withdrawal symptoms requiring medical supervision.

The First Week Without Alcohol

I sip bedtime tea an hour before bed while reading a book (this always puts me to sleep) and listening to ocean sounds. To minimize the risk of insomnia, power down your electronic devices an hour before bedtime. Insomnia is not uncommon, but you may also struggle with feeling tired and desperate for a nap. Headaches are the number one withdrawal symptom reported in the Detox Challenge group every year. However, every year when I host a yearly Detox Challenge, I observe that some people feel… Worse. Mild symptoms may appear similar to a hangover, but they last longer than 24 hours.

Medically-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Alcohol might help you get to sleep faster, but it keeps you from reaching the deepest, most restorative stages of sleep. The effects of high-quality sleep will continue to build each day. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms generally begin within 12–24 hours after your last drink.

Inpatient Treatment

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms range from mild but annoying to severe and life-threatening. You don’t need to be diagnosed with alcohol use disorder in order to quit drinking. If alcohol is interfering with your health or your personal, financial, or professional life, consider quitting. When someone drinks alcohol for a prolonged period of time and then stops, the body reacts to its absence. This is alcohol withdrawal, and it causes uncomfortable physical and emotional symptoms. It’s possible that you may experience a setback somewhere throughout your journey, whether it’s a few weeks in, or a few months down the road.

General Health

• Even today, I continue to prioritize my mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
• Once you have gone through withdrawal, you’ll also need a plan to remain alcohol-free.
• This is natural, especially because you may start experiencing alcohol cravings at this time.
• “Your relationships are likely improved, and your resilience has increased,” says Dr. Mosquera.

Maintain your profile by updating your photos, video links, treatment services, and contact details to ensure optimal visibility. Even deciding to become sober and following through on it can be a powerful catalyst for repairing relationships, demonstrating how serious you are about focusing on others. Relationships are complicated, and each one will develop and heal in different ways and timeframes. Stopping alcohol, however, can make healing possible that would not be otherwise. These effects will subside as your body adjusts to the absence of alcohol.

Anyone at risk for DTs should detox from alcohol at a properly equipped medical facility. DTs management requires specialized medical care and close monitoring due to its life-threatening complications. DT is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal syndrome that involves neurological and autonomic nervous system hyperactivity. Regular drinking raises estrogen levels and reduces testosterone.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

For most people, alcohol withdrawal symptoms will begin sometime in the first eight hours after their final drink. A rare but very serious syndrome called delirium tremens can occur during alcohol withdrawal. Also known as DTs, an estimated 2% of people with alcohol use disorder and less than 1% of the general population experience them. Getting your liver or blood pressure checked by your doctor can help you feel motivated to continue the journey of recovery, and reduce long-term effects of alcohol on the body.

She also notes that a craving for alcohol is common once people stop. These effects can also be exacerbated if you have a mental health diagnosis like bipolar disorder, he says. It’s typical for withdrawal symptoms to begin within hours to a day or two after you have your last drink. Symptoms are often at their worst around 24 to 72 hours after you stop drinking. Alcohol withdrawal delirium (AWD), commonly known as delirium tremens (DT), is the most serious symptom of alcohol withdrawal. Your healthcare provider will recommend and encourage treatment for alcohol use disorder.

• These stimulating chemicals work to balance out the depressive episodes of heavy drinking.
• Some people experience prolonged withdrawal symptoms, like insomnia and mood changes, that can last for weeks or months.
• Insomnia is not uncommon, but you may also struggle with feeling tired and desperate for a nap.
• Cortland and his treatment programs have received numerous honors.
• This includes neurotransmitters and the central nervous system (CNS).

Experiencing alcohol detox can lead to a range of psychological effects that vary in intensity and duration. Individuals undergoing detox may experience heightened anxiety, irritability, mood swings, depression, and even episodes of confusion or hallucinations. These psychological symptoms can be distressing and may require professional support to manage effectively.

Common side effects during this stage include nausea and vomiting, tremors, and increased heart rate and breathing. You may also begin to experience changes in your mood, such as anxiety and depression. The use of alcohol can change your molecular and cellular structures, especially those in your brain. It is these changes, or neuroadaptations, that influence dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and cravings. However, how long it will Sober living home take to detox is based on the severity of the addiction. As a result, the brain increases its production of stimulating chemicals, such as serotonin or norepinephrine.

Reaching out to a sobriety community or speaking with a specialized therapist can help you feel supported and encouraged as you begin this rewarding experience. When alcohol is abruptly removed from the body, common withdrawal symptoms often emerge within hours to a couple days8, including tremors, sweating, nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Many people also experience rapid heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and restlessness. While it may not be something you perceptibly notice, one huge health benefit from stopping alcohol will occur by your third week of not drinking. Using alcohol frequently or consistently increases your blood pressure, leading to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

• But what about the less obvious effects that may lurk beneath the surface, affecting us in unexpected ways?
• Alcohol dependence can make it harder to think or remember things.
• Timely recognition and management of these cardiovascular changes are critical to guarantee the safety and well-being of individuals undergoing alcohol detox.
• Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal tend to peak 24 to 72 hours after your last drink.

72 Hours

When that person cuts out alcohol, there is a period when their brain hasn’t yet received the message and still overproduces the stimulating chemicals. With alcohol out of the equation, though, these chemicals cause withdrawal symptoms. You might feel a surge of excitement that you’re so close to achieving your goal of 30 days of sobriety. Journaling can be a great way to document the ups-and-downs, and learn from your past experiences. It’s likely alcohol detox side effects the past few days have been challenging as your body is healing from the effects of alcohol. There may be some thoughts like “do I really have to do this for 25 more days!?