Alcohol detox is the first step to recovery from an alcohol addiction. Getting help with withdrawal symptoms can be life-saving and connect you to the resources needed for a successful recovery.

It usually takes about a week to get through the initial detox stage. But how long depends on your age, weight, drinking history, current medical condition, and previous attempts to detoxify.

Medications

If you have a long-term alcohol use disorder, or if you have been drinking for years, it is important to detox your body from alcohol before starting treatment. Medications can be helpful during the detox process because they keep your body chemicals in balance and reduce uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

Benzodiazepines are considered the best medications to use for alcohol detox. They have been proven to help prevent severe withdrawal syndrome, including seizures and delirium tremens, in most cases.

Some people may also be prescribed antipsychotic medications, which can help reduce the symptoms of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Using these medications with talk therapy and support groups is often a successful strategy for treating an alcohol use disorder and recovering from addiction.

During the detox process, you will be monitored by a medical professional who will assess your symptoms and decide which medicines are right for you. These will be combined with support from family and loved ones to ensure you achieve sobriety as quickly as possible.

Diet

When people detox from alcohol, it’s important to eat a healthy diet. This helps ease symptoms and restore physical and mental health.

A balanced diet includes foods with protein and carbohydrates, including whole grains like oats, brown rice and whole wheat bread. They provide energy and B vitamins that are depleted with prolonged heavy drinking.

Green leafy vegetables are full of essential vitamins and minerals that help re-establish healthy gut bacteria. They also contain anti-inflammatory compounds that reduce withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and headaches.

Fruit is also an excellent source of sugar-free, high-fiber nutrition. Its slow release of sugar keeps blood sugar stable, preventing mood swings and helping you feel fuller for longer.

Aside from reducing cravings, fruits are also a good source of vitamin C. Vitamin C helps restore immune function and re-balances the body’s pH levels. It’s also beneficial for the brain, which can suffer from damage from alcohol abuse.

Exercise

Exercise can help to reduce withdrawal symptoms during alcohol detox and improve your mood. It also releases endorphins into the brain, which create natural happy feelings and boost self-confidence.

In addition, it can increase your physical fitness levels and help you maintain a healthier weight. These are important factors in a successful recovery.

During the first week of detox, you might experience intense withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia. This is called post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS).

Exercising can help you to manage these symptoms and move through them more easily. It can also reduce the amount of stress that you feel and help you to sleep better at night.

You can start exercising at home or at your local gym. It is best to start off with a light exercise regime and build up from there.

Support

Whether you’re in a detox center or you’re going through it at home, support during alcohol detox is essential. Not only does it make the process easier to manage, but it can also help you avoid relapse and keep you on track for a healthy life.

Detox programs provide around the clock support from medical professionals, who will be able to monitor your condition and administer medications if needed. Medications can ease withdrawal symptoms and help you cope with them so that you can recover from your addiction.

You can also take advantage of peer support, such as in a mutual-support group, which can give you an added layer of confidence during the recovery process. It can also help you stay focused on your goals and prevent cravings. Many of these groups use 12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), to help people overcome their addictions.