Local Rehab Reports Timeline of Alcohol Treatment

Lexington, KY - In their recent blog post, SUN Behavioral Health Kentucky’s Lexington location educated the community on how long they can expect to undergo treatment for an alcohol use disorder. To put it simply, the timeline of alcohol rehab varies for every person. There are averages, but some people may stay longer, while others only require a shorter stay.

“Alcohol detox typically follows your alcohol withdrawal timeline. In contrast, alcohol rehab can vary based on the individual facility and your personal needs. This timeline can look different for every person. People will more than likely drink their last drink of alcohol within hours of arriving for treatment. Once withdrawal symptoms start, people might be more likely to change their minds about receiving treatment. Typically, alcohol withdrawal symptoms begin around 6 hours after your last drink. Standardly, your withdrawal symptoms will peak approximately 48 to 72 hours after your last drink. The average length of total withdrawal is 2-10 days. Most inpatient rehab treatment programs last around 30, 60, or 90 days, while an outpatient treatment program varies greatly depending on your individual needs,” the blog post states.

Several factors can be at play when it comes to knowing how long someone’s alcohol rehab will last. These include a person’s age and weight, as these can impact how quickly alcohol will leave their system. In addition to this, the amount of alcohol consumed, how often the person drinks, and the length of time they’ve been drinking alcohol can also play a role in how long someone stays in alcohol rehab. Sometimes, medical history and underlying medical conditions may require someone to stay longer than the average. Needing to stay longer is okay and normal. Recovery is not a race to the finish line. A more extended stay does not indicate failure or an inability to recover.

For many people, alcohol rehab begins with alcohol detox. This typically lasts between 3 and 14 days, though it can vary depending on the length of someone’s withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are not usually dangerous, but medical observation can make the process easier and safer in the event of complications. In the first 6 hours after someone last drinks alcohol, they might not feel any symptoms, and if they do, they may be mild. Between hours 6 and 12, mild symptoms and cravings may begin. Symptoms may include nausea, headaches, and restlessness, and they might try to encourage someone to return to use. In hours 12 through 24, symptoms will intensify to a moderate level and include nightmares and depression. As time passes, symptoms will continue to intensify until around 48 to 72 hours, when they peak. Symptoms are not always life-threatening but could include hallucinations, heart attacks, suicidal thoughts, and seizures, which require medical intervention.

After detox, many people will then attend inpatient treatment, which can last between 30 and 90 days. The length of stay depends on the factors discussed earlier. Still, it can also be dictated by how long an insurance company is willing to pay for inpatient care before it becomes paying out of pocket. Some insurance companies may not pay for inpatient care at all. After inpatient rehab comes outpatient rehab. This varies the most and includes several levels of care, such as partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and traditional outpatient. The time someone spends in outpatient rehab depends on how well they progress through the program.

“The amount of time you need for each level of treatment will depend on the factors listed above. They will also vary on your progress in treatment. Someone who progresses through treatment more slowly may need more time than someone else. You may also need to transfer between different levels of care as your needs change. No matter where you are in your recovery journey, your timeline is unique and is not always linear. Whatever recovery journey you find yourself on, remember it is up to standard,” the blog post continues.

SUN Behavioral Health Kentucky solves unmet needs in Lexington. They offer no-cost care assessments that ensure potential patients receive the treatment plans that best suit their needs and take into consideration their doctor’s recommendations. SUN can also treat co-occurring disorders. Sometimes, an alcohol use disorder will co-occur with a mental health condition, and treating them both is essential in preventing complications during recovery.

For more information, visit their website or call them at 859-429-5188. SUN Behavioral Health solves unmet needs.