Utah Alcohol Detox Center | Safe Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment

Alcohol Detox Center

Written by Brandon Okey. Mina Draskovic, B.Psy., reviewed this content for accuracy.

Break free from alcohol addiction with the best detox center in Utah. Ardu Recover Center specializes in alcohol detox and rehabilitation. We’re located in Provo, Utah, near Salt Lake City and the serene Wasatch Mountains, but we welcome patients from across the United States seeking safe, effective alcohol detox treatment.

What Is Alcohol Detox?

Alcohol detox is the supervised cessation of drinking and the management of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The goal of alcohol detox is to end your physical dependence on alcohol and start your sobriety journey. Our medical team uses evidence-based protocols to help you safely navigate alcohol withdrawal and begin your recovery journey.

How Long Does Alcohol Detox Take?

Most patients complete detox at our center within 5–7 days. Your alcohol detox timeline depends on:

How much and how long you’ve been drinking.
Your health status.
Previous detox attempts.
Co-occurring mental health conditions.

Our medical team creates individualized detox plans based on your specific needs and monitors your progress as you navigate each stage of alcohol recovery.

What To Expect During Alcohol Withdrawal

The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can range from mild discomfort to life-threatening complications, depending on your drinking history and overall health.

Research from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism confirms that about 5% of patients who experience delirium tremens caused by alcohol detoxification die from complications.

The physical symptoms of alcoholism you’ve experienced help our team determine how closely you’ll need to be monitored during withdrawal.

Alcohol Detox Timeline

Initial stage (6–24 hours): Symptoms typically begin within hours of your last drink. You may experience mild to moderate tremors, sweating, nausea, and anxiety as your body starts adjusting to the absence of alcohol.
Acute stage (24–72 hours): This is the most challenging and dangerous phase of withdrawal. Symptoms can escalate to include hallucinations, seizures, or delirium tremens, which is why our medical staff maintains 24/7 monitoring during this critical period.
Sub-acute stage (1 week): Physical symptoms begin to stabilize, though you may still experience sleep disturbances and mood swings. Our counselors prepare your transition to ongoing treatment during this phase.
Recovery phase (weeks to months): While acute withdrawal symptoms have passed, your brain continues healing from alcohol’s effects. We connect you with local or home-state aftercare resources to support your continued recovery.

At our detox center, we manage all levels of alcohol withdrawal. Our medical staff uses FDA-approved medications and 24/7 monitoring to maintain your safety throughout withdrawal.

Inpatient And Outpatient Treatment With Detox

Our inpatient and outpatient programs begin with supervised alcohol detox and continue with comprehensive treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD). The choice depends on your withdrawal risk and personal circumstances.

Inpatient Treatment Program

Our intensive inpatient treatment starts with 24/7 medically supervised detox, then transitions seamlessly into residential addiction treatment. You’ll stay at our facility throughout the entire process, which includes:

Round-the-clock medical monitoring during detox
Private rooms with mountain views
Immediate response to medical emergencies
Premium amenities, including a gym, sauna, and float spa
Comprehensive therapy and counseling programs

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment includes supervised detox with regular medical check-ins, followed by flexible therapy schedules that allow you to maintain work and family responsibilities. This approach works best for those with:

Lower risk of severe withdrawal complications
Strong, supportive home environments
Ability to attend scheduled appointments
Motivation to maintain sobriety while living at home

Our medical team evaluates your situation to recommend whether inpatient or outpatient treatment options will give you the best chance at lasting recovery.

Medical Care During Detox

Never attempt alcohol detox alone. Our medical detox program includes comprehensive medical supervision with:

24/7 medical monitoring: Continuous assessment of vital signs and withdrawal severity using proven protocols such as the CIWA scale.
Medication management: Safe, effective medications to reduce withdrawal symptoms and prevent complications.
Nutritional support: IV hydration therapy and vitamin replacement to restore your body’s balance.
Mental health support: Our counselors help you manage anxiety, depression, and other emotional symptoms through individual therapy and group therapy.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Many patients arrive at our detox center with co-occurring disorders. We treat alcohol addiction alongside:

Anxiety treatment
Depression treatment and bipolar disorder
PTSD and trauma disorders
Eating disorders
Personality disorders

Our dual diagnosis specialists coordinate your care to address addiction and mental health treatment simultaneously.

What Happens After Detox?

Detox clears alcohol from your system, but recovery requires lasting sobriety. Most people move from detox into residential treatment, living at our facility for 30–90 days while building the skills and mindset needed for lasting sobriety.

Others choose intensive outpatient treatment, attending weekly therapy sessions while maintaining work and home responsibilities. As you progress, you can step down to regular outpatient therapy with fewer sessions.

Recovery doesn’t end when treatment does. Studies show that more than half of people start drinking again within just two weeks of finishing detox, which is why we don’t just get you sober and send you home. Our relapse prevention services connect you with ongoing support in your area or home state, because staying sober requires long-term resources and community.

Alcohol Detox During Pregnancy

If you are pregnant, it is crucial to stop drinking immediately to avoid the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome. Alcohol addiction treatment centers that work with pregnant women should keep these suggestions, made by SAMHSA, in mind when managing alcohol detox in pregnant women.

The use of short-acting benzodiazepines is the current practice of choice for pregnant women who need to undergo alcohol detox. Long-acting benzodiazepines should be avoided, as they can lead to a withdrawal syndrome in the baby during the third trimester or near delivery.
While no harmful effects on the fetus have been observed, little is known about the impact of naltrexone, naloxone, or nalmefene administration during pregnancy.
The use of beta-blockers like propranolol, labetalol, and metoprolol for alcohol detoxification during pregnancy is unclear due to the lack of research.
The use of SSRIs like fluoxetine is safer than tricyclic antidepressants, and it is recommended during pregnancy for the treatment of alcohol detoxification.
The use of anticonvulsants like valproic acid during pregnancy has been linked with several disfiguring malformations, and phenobarbital use during pregnancy should be discussed with the patient, as reports of a withdrawal syndrome in the neonate following prenatal exposure to phenobarbital exist.

At Ardu Recovery Center, we follow the latest medical guidelines and the best science when helping a pregnant woman detox.

Why Choose Utah For Alcohol Detox?

Utah gives you something most treatment centers can’t: complete separation from your drinking environment. Our facility in the Wasatch Mountains removes you from triggers, toxic relationships, and familiar places that fuel addiction, while surrounding you with natural beauty that supports healing.

You’ll get premium medical care and luxury amenities at rates below what coastal centers charge, thanks to Utah’s low cost of living. The central location makes travel easy from anywhere in the country, and once you’re here, the peaceful mountain setting lets you focus on recovery without urban distractions.

The outdoor environment opens up experiential therapy options you simply can’t get in city-based facilities. Most importantly, you’ll have complete privacy and discretion.

What Makes Our Detox Different

We treat detox as the foundation of your entire recovery process, combining medical safety with therapeutic breakthroughs that set you up for long-term success.

Comprehensive Medical Care

24/7 physician supervision: Board-certified addiction specialists oversee your care, not general ER doctors who lack specialized training in withdrawal management.
FDA-approved protocols: We use evidence-based medication protocols that have been proven to prevent complications and reduce withdrawal discomfort.
Medication management: Our physicians adjust dosing and timing throughout your detox to minimize withdrawal symptoms and keep you safe.

Therapeutic Integration During Detox

Cognitive behavioral therapy: Even during detox, we help you identify and change the thought patterns that trigger drinking urges, giving you tools you’ll use long after withdrawal ends.
Mindfulness-based therapy: You’ll learn techniques to observe cravings and difficult emotions without automatically reaching for alcohol to cope.
Person-centered therapy: We help you explore your reasons for choosing sobriety. This builds motivation that carries you through challenging moments during detox and beyond.

Recovery-Focused Wellness

Behavior modification therapy: Instead of just removing alcohol, we help you replace drinking habits with healthy routines from day one of detox.
Self-compassion therapy: We address the shame and guilt that often surface during withdrawal, teaching you to treat yourself with kindness rather than harsh self-criticism.
Holistic addiction treatment: Our approach addresses healing for your mind, body, and spirit, since addiction affects the whole person.

While other centers just get you through withdrawal, we use detox to build the foundation for lasting sobriety.

Start Alcohol Detox Today

Alcohol withdrawal is life-threatening without medical supervision. Don’t undertake it alone, and don’t wait for life to get worse. You can begin your wellness journey right now.

Detox Availability

Our detox center admits patients 24/7 with:

Free, confidential assessments
Same-day admission when beds are available
Transportation assistance for out-of-state patients
Immediate medical evaluation and treatment plan

Insurance Coverage

Most insurance plans cover medically necessary alcohol detox. Our admissions team verifies benefits for:

Private health insurance
Medicare and Medicaid
Employee assistance programs
Military insurance (TRICARE)

Admissions Process

Our admissions team works to get you into treatment fast, often the same day you call.

We’ll evaluate your detox needs over the phone and answer any questions you have. While we talk, we check your insurance benefits so there are no surprises about coverage.

We accept patients from across Utah (Salt Lake City, Provo, Orem, Spanish Fork, Springville) and from other states seeking quality detox care. After detox, you can move into our men’s alcohol rehab or women’s alcohol rehab programs.

The hardest part is making the call. We handle everything else.

Brandon Okey is the co-founder of Ardu Recovery Center and is dedicated to empowering people on their journey to sobriety.

Utah Alcohol Detox FAQ

What do hospitals give you for alcohol detox?

Hospitals typically use benzodiazepines, like Ativan or Librium, to prevent seizures and reduce anxiety during withdrawal. You’ll also receive IV fluids to combat dehydration, thiamine (vitamin B1) to prevent brain damage, and medications for nausea or blood pressure changes. Medical professionals monitor your vital signs and adjust medication-assisted treatment based on withdrawal severity.

What are the benefits of 7 days without alcohol?

After seven days without drinking, your sleep quality improves and anxiety levels drop. Your liver starts repairing itself, blood pressure normalizes, and alcohol cravings begin to weaken. Many people notice clearer thinking, better digestion, and more stable moods. This first week sets the foundation for long-term recovery and shows your body’s remarkable ability to heal.

What’s the hardest day of alcohol detox?

Days 2–3 are typically the most challenging, when withdrawal symptoms peak. This is when seizures, hallucinations, or delirium tremens are most likely to occur if you have severe withdrawal symptoms.

How long does it take to detox after you stop drinking?

Physical detox takes 5–7 days for most people, but your brain continues healing for months. Acute withdrawal symptoms typically resolve within a week, but you may experience sleep issues, mood swings, and mild cravings for several weeks. Complete neurological recovery from alcohol dependency can take 6–12 months of sustained sobriety.

What happens after one year of no alcohol?

After a year of sobriety, your liver function normalizes, cardiovascular health improves significantly, and your risk of alcohol-related diseases drops dramatically. Mental clarity reaches new levels, relationships heal, and you’ve likely developed strong coping skills. Most people report better physical health, stable moods, and a completely different relationship with stress and emotions.

Resources

Saitz R. Introduction to alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol Health Res World. 1998;22(1):5-12. PMID: 15706727; PMCID: PMC6761824.

Day, E., & Daly, C. (2021). Clinical management of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Addiction, 117(3), 804–814. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.15647

Darren Quelch, Mark Pucci, Alexander Marsh, Jamie Coleman, Sally Bradberry, Elective alcohol detoxification – a resource and efficacy evaluation, Future Healthcare Journal, Volume 6, Issue 2, 2019, Pages 137-142, ISSN 2514-6645, https://doi.org/10.7861/futurehosp.6-2-137.