Alcohol withdrawal can be an overwhelming experience. Whether you have just started your journey to sobriety, or are supporting a loved one through their process of recovery from alcohol abuse, it is important to understand the physical and emotional effects that arise during alcohol withdrawal. From minor symptoms like trouble sleeping to more serious medical issues like seizures and delirium tremens, numerous potential challenges must be addressed when withdrawing from heavy drinking – but this doesn’t mean finding freedom from addiction isn’t possible! By educating yourself on alcohol withdrawal symptoms and familiarizing yourself with the different treatment options available, you can take the necessary steps toward achieving lasting sobriety.
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal
When someone becomes addicted to alcohol and significantly cuts back their intake or quits drinking altogether, withdrawal symptoms will occur. Each person’s experience is unique in what type of alcohol withdrawal symptoms they will have and their severity.
According to health experts at the Mayo Clinic, alcohol withdrawal symptoms in the mild category include insomnia, tremors (the shakes), anxiety, restlessness, agitation, sweating, rapid heartbeat, and nausea. Symptoms that are considered more severe are vomiting, hallucinations, and seizures.
One of the most dangerous withdrawal symptoms is called delirium tremens (DTs), which occurs when the brain’s chemistry is off after alcohol consumption has stopped.
“This creates temporary confusion and leads to dangerous changes in how your brain regulates your circulation and breathing. The body’s vital signs, such as your heart rate or blood pressure, can change dramatically or unpredictably, creating a risk of heart attack, stroke, or death.”
There is a wide range of possible symptoms, and unfortunately, it’s not likely to predict which withdrawal symptoms and to what extreme someone will go through.
Overcoming alcohol withdrawal symptoms
When coping with mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal, one can attempt several OTC, home, and holistic remedies; however, it is always best to speak with a healthcare professional first regarding any treatment.
Drinking fluids with electrolytes, eating healthy, practicing mindfulness and meditation techniques, taking a cold shower, going for a walk or doing some light yoga if able, taking OTC medication, and using a cold compress for headaches. Chiropractic care and massage can also be beneficial during this time, as they help detox.
There is also the medication therapy route – or medical detox – when dealing with withdrawal symptoms.
Pharmacologic treatment “involves the use of medications that are cross-tolerant with alcohol. Benzodiazepines, the agents of choice, may be administered on a fixed or symptom-triggered schedule. Carbamazepine is an appropriate alternative to a benzodiazepine in the outpatient treatment of patients with mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Medications such as haloperidol, beta-blockers, clonidine, and phenytoin may be used as adjuncts to a benzodiazepine in the treatment of complications of withdrawal.”
If you’re going through this, ask your doctor what they recommend to ease your symptoms.
Alcohol withdrawal timeline
Each person’s alcohol withdrawal “timeline” is unique. From start to finish, it depends on how long and how much the person consumed alcohol, the severity of symptoms, what type of treatment is involved, and body chemistry.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can begin just a few hours after the last drink. After two days without a drink, symptoms will get quite uncomfortable and stay that way for a few days. Between 24 and 72 hours, be cognizant of severe symptoms and when to seek treatment from a medical professional. Overall, the process will take between 4 and 8 days.
Conclusion
If you or someone you know is going through alcohol withdrawal, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Alcohol withdrawal can be severe and even fatal, so getting professional medical treatment as soon as possible is vital. Innovative Health Systems offers a range of detox and treatment options to help people recover from alcohol addiction and withdrawal. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you or a loved one feel better through the detox and recovery process.
