A medical detox facility can provide medical and mental health care around the clock. Vital signs are monitored, mental health is supported, and physical side effects are often eased with the help of medications or supplements. Detox programs should be individualized to suit the particular needs of each person. The most effective way to detox from alcohol is at a medically supervised inpatient detox facility. Trained medical staff can provide psychological support and referrals to long-term addiction treatment programs. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal typically improve within five days, though a small number of people may have prolonged symptoms.

When it wears off, these same functions may become hyperactive in response to not being suppressed anymore. Heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and stress levels may rise. Restlessness, irritability, muscle tremors, hypertension, insomnia, depression, inability to concentrate or focus, sweating, and an irregular heart rate are all common side effects of alcohol withdrawal. At-home alcohol detox is not a safe or effective option for those dealing with an Alcohol Use Disorder. The physical and mental health risks of attempting an at-home alcohol detox can be severe and even life-threatening.

What Happens After Alcohol Detox?

Likely, individual patients differ in their underlying risks for withdrawal symptoms. Medical professionals can monitor your physical and mental health throughout the day to ensure that symptoms do not worsen. Because symptoms of alcohol withdrawal might worsen with time, it is crucial to know whether your withdrawal symptoms are becoming more severe so you can get treatment. At-home alcohol detox is a risky and potentially dangerous form of alcohol withdrawal treatment. The body is going through a dramatic and rapid change as it adjusts to the sudden lack of alcohol,can cause severe withdrawal symptoms and even lead to death.

Night terrors, panic attacks, and hallucinations are common at this time if recovering from severe addiction or long-term dependency. If you’re still experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms or you need extra care, you stay a little longer. How long you’re in detox is contingent on how long you’ve been drinking and how much you’ve been drinking. Undergoing alcohol detox alone is a dangerous proposition, and it can even be hazardous to experience withdrawal with an untrained person present. The safest way to detox in MA is to enter a facility with medical professionals. Many of these symptoms can be life-threatening if they persist without treatment.

Mild, Moderate, and Severe Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Due to the severity of some withdrawal symptoms, alcohol detox should be monitored by a medical professional. This is especially true for those who have a history of lung or heart diseases, or other medical conditions, as withdrawal symptoms can quickly worsen. Your treatment specialist will be able to track your blood pressure and heart rate to make sure your condition doesn’t worsen. You can also talk with them about the symptoms you are experiencing, as well as if you are in any pain. This information helps your medical team determine which medicine will help alleviate your discomfort. People with alcohol use disorder (AUD) may experience uncomfortable and potentially severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit.

This is also the timeframe where you’re most at risk for life-threatening symptoms such as delirium tremens. Withdrawal symptoms can begin to surface in as early as two hours after your last drink. While the most painful symptoms typically subside within the first week, some mild symptoms can last for several weeks https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/alcohol-detox-side-effects-what-bad-can-happen/ to a year. There is no exact timeline as to when or what withdrawal symptoms you will experience; however, there’s a general outline of what to expect. Alcohol withdrawal can cause pain in the chest, including chest tightness. This tightness is normally side effects of heart damage from excessive alcohol use.

How To Safely Treat Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Alcohol enhances the effect of GABA on GABA-A neuroreceptors, resulting in decreased overall brain excitability. Chronic exposure to alcohol results in a compensatory decrease of GABA-A neuroreceptor response to GABA, evidenced by increasing tolerance of the effects of alcohol. The brain maintains neurochemical balance through inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters. The main inhibitory neurotransmitter is γ-amino-butyric acid (GABA), which acts through the GABA-alpha (GABA-A) neuroreceptor. One of the major excitatory neurotransmitters is glutamate, which acts through the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) neuroreceptor. These effects can result in a real risk to the individual experiencing withdrawal as well as their loved ones who could be in harm’s way.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force28 recommends screening patients for problem drinking through a careful history or standardized screening questionnaire. The history and physical examination establish the diagnosis and severity of alcohol withdrawal. Basic laboratory investigations include a complete blood count, liver function tests, a urine drug screen, and determination of blood alcohol and electrolyte levels.