VIVITROL® for Alcohol Dependence and Opioid Dependence

If you drink only once in a while, you’re unlikely to have withdrawal symptoms. But if you’ve gone through alcohol withdrawal once, you’re more likely to go through it again. If you often drink more than the recommended daily limit, seek medical attention when withdrawing from alcohol. If you think you’re at risk of developing fatty liver disease, consider making an appointment with a doctor or other healthcare professional. They might be able to give you more specific advice about preventive strategies.

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Knowing what to expect—and when—can be the difference between a safe recovery and a medical emergency. Alcohol withdrawal follows a predictable but highly individual timeline, usually starting 6–12 hours after your last drink, peaking around 48–72 hours, and easing over 5–7 days. The exact symptoms and risks depend on how much, how often, and how long you’ve been drinking, plus your overall health and previous detox history. Alcohol withdrawal is your body’s way of adjusting to life without alcohol after becoming physically dependent. While withdrawal can be uncomfortable and even dangerous without proper medical care, it’s also temporary. Understanding the typical timeline and what to expect during each phase can help you plan for a safe detox and give you hope that relief is on the horizon.

Diagnosis and clinical management of alcohol withdrawal involve a careful assessment of drinking history, the timing of the last drink and the presence of withdrawal symptoms. Medical professionals may also evaluate for alcohol-related physical complications, such as abnormal liver function, and address any co-occurring mental health conditions. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. Acute physical withdrawal symptoms typically last 4-10 days for most people, with the most intense symptoms occurring during the first 2-3 days.

• Your healthcare provider can treat these by infusing you (through an IV in your vein) with the necessary vitamins and minerals.
• As alcohol is an irritant to the stomach lining, after a fortnight, you’ll also see a reduction in symptoms such as reflux where the stomach acid burns your throat.
• If you have alcohol use disorder and want to stop drinking, talk to a healthcare provider.
• Before you drive, go back to work, use heavy tools and machinery, or participate in other potentially dangerous activities, talk to your healthcare provider.
• Tell your provider if you notice pain, numbness or tingling in your toes, legs or arms.
• Severe and complicated alcohol withdrawal requires treatment in a hospital — sometimes in the ICU.

What can I not eat or drink if I’m taking benzodiazepines?

To maintain sobriety, it is recommended that an individual receive adjunct therapy, whether it be in group form like with Alcoholics Anonymous, or individual psychotherapies like CBT or MET. A person may also support their sobriety by managing stress, identify and reducing triggers, creating relationships with sober peers, and healthy lifestyle choices. Detox is just the first step in recovery; long‑term healing from alcoholuse disorder can take months to years. Let Moving Mountains Recovery help you climb to a brighter, healthier future—one day at a time. At Moving Mountains Recovery, we provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) under professional guidance to ensure the safest path through detox. At Moving Mountains Recovery, we focus on creating personalized care plans to ensure you receive the best possible support during detox.

Alcohol Use Disorder

Sleep may still be difficult, but it often improves gradually. Never attempt to manage severe withdrawal symptoms alone at home. Many involve a combination of group psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. Your provider will provide resources for various programs.

• A person may notice initial symptoms after a few hours that could last for up to a week or longer.
• A small percentage of people going through alcohol withdrawal have hallucinations at this point.
• Depending on the extent of liver damage you have, you may need to completely abstain from alcohol in order to give your liver the best chance for recovery.
• The acute phase of withdrawal generally lasts three to seven days, with symptoms gradually subsiding.
• Symptoms that have associations with this condition can be mild, severe, or in some cases, life threatening.
• Alcohol withdrawal treatment is a key part of recovery for people who stop drinking alcohol.

Before I discuss the alcohol recovery timeline, I must say that I’m not a doctor or therapist. I’m just a gal who stopped drinking alcohol almost four years ago and loves writing about my alc-free journey. You don’t need to wait until symptoms become extreme to ask for help. In fact, early assessment is often what prevents complications, especially during the higher-risk days of alcohol withdrawal. Detox isn’t about assuming the worst — it’s about reducing risk during a vulnerable period.

Dispose of any medication that is outdated or no longer needed through a medicine take-back program.. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children, and in a location that is not easily accessible by others, including visitors to the home. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking hydrocodone. Some people receiving VIVITROL treatment have had a type of pneumonia that is caused by an allergic reaction. If this happens to you, you may need to be treated in the hospital.

• At Addiction Helpline America, we’ve seen these changes and are here to help you start your journey.
• Unlike withdrawal from most other substances, stopping alcohol “cold turkey” can be fatal.
• If you consistently consume significant amounts of alcohol, your CNS gets used to this effect.
• Complications of DTs treatments largely depend on the treatments you receive.
• No, alcohol withdrawal varies significantly from person to person.
• The healthier, more present, and more alive version of you is waiting on the other side of withdrawal.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can vary in severity and duration, depending on the individual’s drinking history and overall health. Common symptoms include tremors, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and hallucinations. Mild symptoms can start as early as six hours after the last drink, while more severe symptoms can occur within 24 to 48 hours. The duration of withdrawal symptoms can range from a few days to several weeks, with some symptoms lingering for months. The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can range from mild to severe and include anxiety, tremors, hallucinations, and Alcohol Withdrawal even seizures. Managing these symptoms effectively is crucial for a safe and successful recovery.

Factors That Can Change Your Timeline

Alcohol use disorder isn’t a condition that happens for just one reason. Family history, mental health conditions and many other factors can play a role. If you’re concerned about your risks for developing alcohol use disorder, it’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider.

Your healthcare provider is the best person to tell you more about the possible complications you might experience after your symptoms improve and confusion resolves. Your provider may also tell loved ones authorized to know and make choices about your care. Delirium tremens (DTs) is the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal. DTs is possible when someone with alcohol use disorder, especially moderate or severe alcohol use disorder, suddenly stops drinking entirely. Once the initial physical withdrawal symptoms begin to fade, many people move into what’s often considered early sobriety. This stage is less about physical discomfort and more about the mental and emotional adjustment that comes with not drinking.