How Long Does Alcohol Withdrawal Last? 

Almost 30 million people in the US suffer from alcohol use disorder. Withdrawing from alcohol can be a difficult and dangerous process to the point that alcoholics need to go through alcohol treatment under medical supervision.

But how long does alcohol withdrawal last? Read on to find out more.

How Long Does Alcohol Withdrawal Last

The length of time you’ll experience alcohol withdrawal depends on the severity of your alcohol addiction. Generally speaking, withdrawal symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

You’ll start going into alcohol detox within 24 hours of last drinking alcohol. You can expect the symptoms to peak after around 48 to 72 hours. During this time, you may experience a wide range of physical and psychological side effects.

For example, you might feel anxious and have trouble sleeping. You could also experience seating tremors and vomiting.

Variation in Symptoms

When you detox from alcohol, it’s difficult to say how you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms. While the severity of the symptoms is related to how long you’ve been drinking, there are also various other factors at play.

Your metabolism, overall health, and age all play a role in your alcohol withdrawal experience. In some cases, you might experience persistent withdrawal symptoms that can last for months. These include problems such as depression and fatigue.

Delirium Tremens

In extreme alcohol withdrawal cases, you might develop a condition called Delirium Tremens. People suffering from Delirium Tremens may face intense feelings of confusion. They may also suffer from severe agitation, hallucinations, and seizures.

Delirium Tremens are an extreme medical emergency. Anyone suffering from them will need to get immediate medical attention. When Delirium Tremens is left untreated, it can be fatal.

You Need Medical Supervision

The potentially fatal consequences of alcohol addiction mean you can’t afford to go through alcohol withdrawal on your own. If you want to detox from alcohol, you absolutely need to do it with medical supervision.

Medical intervention is essential because healthcare professionals know how to detox and can help you in the event of complications. Doctors may also prescribe you medications to ease the worst of the withdrawals.

You Need Long Term Support

Recovering from alcohol addiction is much deeper than simply surviving the physical withdrawal period. If you want to stay sober in the long term, you’ll need to get long-term support.

After the withdrawal stages, you may benefit from things like attending counseling and support groups. You’ll also need to make significant lifestyle changes.

Failing to address the root causes of your addiction means you’re simply setting yourself up for failure in the long run. If you want to live a clean and sober life, you absolutely can’t ignore the mental health aspect of addiction.

Turn Your Life Around

So, how long does alcohol withdrawal last? The answer is that it depends on various factors. Given the inherent danger of alcohol withdrawals, you should only detox with proper medical supervision.