Key Takeaways
- The First 72 Hours of Alcohol Detox: Your body starts to heal and adjust without alcohol.
- Withdrawal Symptoms to Expect: Physical and mental symptoms like headaches, shaking, and anxiety are common.
- The Importance of Alcohol Rehab: Professional help is key for managing detox and long-term recovery.
- Virtue Recovery Houston Provides Support: Virtue Recovery Houston offers medically supervised detox and addiction treatment.
Introduction
It is a major decision to decide to quit drinking and making the decision is a significant step towards recovery from alcohol use disorder. The first three days are usually the hardest because this is when withdrawal symptoms begin to appear. Alcohol detoxification is the process through which your body eliminates alcohol from your system. Although it is an important process in recovery, it is also a very risky one if not done with the help of a doctor. In this article, we will explore what happens after 72 hours of alcohol abstinence, what kind of withdrawal symptoms one can expect, and why it is so important to seek professional help during this period.
What Happens to Your Body After 72 Hours of No Alcohol?
When you stop drinking, your body starts to go through detox. In the first 72 hours, your body begins to clear out the toxins from alcohol, and your brain and nervous system start to adjust to life without it. Alcohol affects many parts of your body so detox can feel different for everyone.
You might feel tired or have a headache in the first few hours. By the time you reach the 24-72 hour mark, you’ll start to experience more noticeable withdrawal symptoms. The good news is that your body is starting to heal during this time. Your liver works to filter out the remaining alcohol, and your heart rate and blood pressure begin to stabilize.
Common Withdrawal Symptoms in the First 72 Hours
During the first 72 hours of detox, it’s common to experience both physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms. The severity of these symptoms depends on how much and how long you’ve been drinking. Here are some of the most common symptoms:
- Headaches
- Shaking (tremors)
- Sweating
- Nausea or vomiting
- Increased heart rate
- Anxiety
- Irritability
For people with severe alcohol use disorder, more serious symptoms can occur. This can include delirium tremens (DTs), which is a potentially life-threatening condition that causes confusion, hallucinations, and seizures. These severe symptoms usually start after the 48-hour mark. Because of these risks, it’s essential to go through detox under medical supervision, especially if you’ve been drinking heavily.
The Importance of Alcohol Rehab and Addiction Treatment
Although detox is the first recovery process, it is not the last because there is much more to it. After the alcohol is out of your system, the process of healing starts, and this is where the real work is. Alcohol rehab and addiction treatment also focus on the psychological aspect of alcoholism, which prepares you for a healthy life without alcohol.
This is because if one quits the detox process without proper care, he or she may fall back into substance use. This is why it is essential to go to rehab after the detoxification process to be able to get back to everyday life. In alcohol rehab, you will undergo individual and group therapy, counseling, and support group meetings that address the causes of alcohol dependence. Knowing how to deal with the urge, stress, and temptation is important to avoid relapse. Rehab programs also assist in repairing damaged relationships and in creating a new and healthy lifestyle after the addiction.
Virtue Recovery Houston Offers Professional Detox and Rehab
At Virtue Recovery Houston, we offer our clients a comfortable and clinically assisted detoxification process in Houston. Our alcohol rehab programs are intended to assist you in overcoming the first stage of withdrawal with the necessary medical care. Depending on your requirements, we provide inpatient and outpatient services to treat addiction. Whether you want to attend a traditional rehab program or need a more individual approach to your treatment, our team is here for you.
Our treatment also involves the provision of medical care to deal with withdrawal symptoms as well as therapy and counseling for alcoholism. We offer individualized treatment plans to ensure you get the best care that will give you a good foundation for your recovery.
Conclusion
The first three days of alcohol detox are tough, but they are also the most important in the process of rehabilitation. At this stage, your body begins to repair itself, but withdrawal symptoms may make it difficult to persevere on your own. That is why the medical control and the treatment of addiction are so important. Detox is just the beginning; alcohol rehab is the only way to remain sober and start the process of creating a new and better life.
If you or a family member has a problem with alcohol use disorder, do not be afraid to seek assistance. For more information about our individualized detox and addiction treatment services, contact Virtue Recovery Houston at 866-457-4811.
FAQs
What are the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal?
Some of the most frequent symptoms of withdrawal are headaches, tremors, vomiting, increased heart rate, anxiety, and irritability. Other complications, such as delirium tremens (DTs), may also be seen in individuals who have taken a lot of alcohol.
Why is medical supervision important during alcohol detox?
This is because alcohol withdrawal has some severe side effects, such as seizures and hallucinations, that may be fatal if not well managed.
How does alcohol rehab help with long-term recovery?
Alcohol rehab offers you group and individual counseling, as well as support groups that will help you address the psychological and social aspects of alcoholism and teach you how to live without alcohol.
What treatment options are available at Virtue Recovery Houston?
Virtue Recovery Houston offers inpatient and outpatient services, including detoxification, counseling, and individualized treatment plans.
Can I detox from alcohol at home safely?
Detoxing from alcohol at home can be dangerous, especially for heavy drinkers. Going through detox under medical supervision is always recommended to ensure safety and proper care.
Resources
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/alcohol-withdrawal-symptoms-treatments
https://www.verywellhealth.com/alcohol-withdrawal-symptoms-5198606
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/alcohol-withdrawal
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcohol-use-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20369243
- About the Author
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Gigi Price holds licenses as a Master Social Worker and Clinical Drug Counselor. She completed her master’s degree in Social Work at Texas State University. Over the last decade, Gigi has been dedicated to utilizing evidence-based practices to enhance patient care and treatment planning, resulting in positive, long-term outcomes for patients and their families. Her passion lies in creating a treatment environment where professionals collaborate to bring about positive change and provide a safe, trustworthy therapeutic experience. Patients can be confident in receiving top-quality care under her leadership.
In her role as the Clinical Director of Virtue Recovery Houston, Gigi conducted research to identify the most effective approaches for treating patients with acute mental health diagnoses, PTSD, and Substance Use Disorder. She then assembled a team of skilled clinicians who could offer various therapeutic modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
(DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Somatic Exposure, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Gigi takes pride in overseeing the development and implementation of Virtue Houston’s Treatment Program, which includes two specialized therapeutic curricula tailored to the unique needs of individuals struggling with mental health issues, addiction, and PTSD.
