Congratulations! You have made the decision to stop drinking alcohol and get sober. Now, here comes the work. The first phase in alcohol recovery typically includes a withdrawal period.
Acute Withdrawal
This is the least fun part of the deal when you decide to get sober from alcohol. Thankfully, the initial acute withdrawal doesn’t last long. Here are some of the symptoms you can expect:
- Exhaustion and fatigue
- Restlessness, irritability, and discontent
- High levels of anxiety and depression
- Insomnia, nightmares, and night terrors
- Hallucinations or visions
- Vomiting, nausea, and dehydration
- Shaking, sweating, and tremors
Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome
Here’s the great news: the worst is over. Here’s the not so great news: the worst might come back to haunt you over the next eighteen months. Post acute withdrawal syndrome is a phenomena where the symptoms of acute withdrawal suddenly return. Cravings can reach a high, insomnia and irritability can return as well. It’s important to understand that this is not a regression, simply a passing complication.
One Week Without Alcohol
Alcohol detox or “alcohol withdrawal syndrome” can last up to three weeks when it is extremely severe. Otherwise, it tends to last about a week to a week and a half, sometimes two. After a week, the immediate torture is over. You shouldn’t be shaking and sweating anymore. Instead, you should be getting more sleep, not feeling as sick, and even looking better. The color should be returning to your skin, you should have more energy, and you’ll look a little more alive. If you experienced bloating due to alcohol, it should be reducing drastically.
One Month Without Alcohol
By the time you are standing up to take your 30 day token at a meeting of alcoholics anonymous, you will be completely different from how you felt in the first 24 hours. Your bloating should be completely gone by now, as your liver is returning to better health. Cravings might still be around but the initial storm of emotions should be settling down. However, cravings might not be completely gone. 30 days is just the beginning, even though it is a great accomplishment.
One Year Without Alcohol
If you make it to a year sober without relapsing you will be amazed by how different you look and feel. Many things in your life have changed as well as in your body and your brain. Unfortunately, you are still within that silly time period where cravings can be strong- especially right before and after your one year mark.
Lakehouse Recovery Center offers luxury residential treatment for alcoholism and alcohol abuse issues. Our beautiful home sits on the tranquil shore of Lake Sherwood, offering clients the peaceful amenities they need to recover. For more information, call us today at (877) 762-3707.