Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are unpleasant signs that occur when a long term drinker suddenly quits or dramatically reduces the intake of alcohol. The withdrawal symptoms entail a combination of both physical and mental manifestations, which range from mild to severe. The severe symptoms can be life-threatening if an individual does not seek appropriate medical attention at an alcohol detox center.
What Causes Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?
Alcohol is a depressive substance which slows down the functioning of the brain immediately someone ingests it. Alcohol also alters the regular operation of nerves in sending and receiving messages to enhance the proper functioning of the body.
Long-term consumption of alcohol makes the central nervous system depend on the presence of the substance in the body. As a result, the body struggles to sustain the active transmission of nerves to improve body functions. If the level of alcohol suddenly drops, the body will need more time to readjust.
The body’s resistance to functioning without alcohol leads to withdrawal symptoms.
Signs of Alcohol Withdrawal
The symptoms that an individual will exhibit depend on the duration of drinking and the amount of alcohol ingested. Therefore, the symptoms can differ from one person to the next.
However, some common signs of alcohol withdrawal to look out for include:
- Shaky hands
- Anxiety that accelerates into depression
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Vomiting
The more complicated symptoms vary from hallucinations, which the person experiences between 12 to 24 hours after the last drink. Individuals may also experience seizures within two days after their last drink.
Other severe symptoms include delusions, high blood pressure, a racing heart, excessive sweating, delirium tremens, and fever.
Who Is Likely to Experience Alcohol Withdrawal?
Those suffering from alcohol addiction who drink heavily for a long time are more vulnerable to developing alcohol withdrawal symptoms if they instantly cut their alcohol consumption. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heavy drinking refers to the situation whereby people take more than 15 drinks (for men) or eight drinks (for women) weekly.
Typically, the symptoms are more prevalent in adults and teenagers who binge drink. Also, individuals who have experienced withdrawal symptoms in the past are vulnerable to similar episodes in the future. You can also experience withdrawal symptoms even if you are currently under detox to quit drinking.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If healthcare providers suspect that you’re suffering from withdrawal symptoms, they’ll inquire about your drinking history and the last time you drank alcohol. Often, doctors use several tests to establish if you have ever experienced alcohol withdrawal symptoms in the past and whether the episodes are recurring.
The treatment method depends on the acuteness of the symptoms. While some people feel like they can recover at home, this is ill-advised as it can lead to possible dangerous symptoms, some of which can be fatal.
In a drug rehab center, you’ll benefit from several types of services, such as:
Treatment aims to assist you in managing your symptoms more comfortably. In rehab, addiction treatment therapists may also use counseling to help you overcome the effects of the withdrawal symptoms.
Recovery at Midwest Detox Center
Even with mild symptoms, home treatment can be dangerous, especially if you don’t have a healthcare professional monitoring you 24/7. The symptoms can deteriorate within hours and lead to grave consequences if you fail to seek professional medical intervention.
For the best results, seek treatment in a rehab center. There, the therapists will offer close observation round the clock to ensure you’re overcoming the symptoms. Also, the nurses will give you appropriate medication to treat and ease the alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Contact us today at 833.647.0392 to learn more about how we can help you on your path to recovery.
