Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
When a person experiences alcohol withdrawal, that is the clearest sign that you have a physical dependence. As the body goes through drastic changes, it tries to cope with normal functioning without a regular alcohol supply.
The side effects of alcohol addiction do not wear off suddenly, but the adjustment period causes uncomfortable symptoms like nausea, shakes, and anxiety. This condition is called the withdrawal phase, which can last from weeks to months, depending on how long you have been an addict. In case if find any of the symptoms kindly receive alcohol withdrawal treatment.
Delirium Tremens: Alcohol addiction and withdrawal symptoms cause a severe condition called Delirium Tremens (DT) in 1 out of 20 people. It mostly begins after 2-3 days after the last ingestion of alcohol and may persist for more than a week. The symptom typically peaks after 4 days, causing racing of the heart, dangerous shift in circulation, and dehydration. It reduces the blood flow to the brain, causes confusion, loss of consciousness, irrational beliefs, and hallucinations.
Alcohol Withdrawal: The Basics
Most alcoholics abuse the substance when they are alone, and so, alcoholism is a lonely condition that happens in private. About 33% of people suffering from depression tend to struggle with alcohol addiction. Since the connection is very strong and real, seeking Dual Diagnosis alcohol withdrawal treatment is of the utmost importance. Tackling mental health issues at the same time as treating substance abuse problems can help these individuals.
But alcohol withdrawal is more complex than drinking heavily. Per the data from the American Academy of Family Physicians, occasional drinking rarely turns into an addiction. Instead, people that drink regularly get addicted to the intoxicated feeling and cannot do without their constant exposure to alcohol. Any delay in getting their hands on their daily drink can make them experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The sleepy cells in their body get jerked awake as they stop drinking even for a short period.
A long-term drinker has alcohol’s depressant effects continually exposed to their brain. Hence, they develop a tolerance to the substance and become physically dependent. Once this happens, they start needing more amounts of alcohol so the body can produce the same effects as they had no problem achieving before.
Even when you quit drinking suddenly, your neurotransmitters no more get inhibited by alcohol, making your brain scramble as it adjusts to the chemical imbalance. It can cause debilitating alcohol withdrawal side effects, which are extremely devastating and completely removed from the “feel good” sensations you may feel after alcohol consumption.
Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline
People going through the alcohol withdrawal process can equate the situation to bad flu. This uncomfortable time can make them feel out of control as they cannot control the changes to their body. As a result, they feel upset, which can be even worse for people that have intense alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Stage 1: Hours 6-12:
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Anxiety
Stage 2: Hours 12-24
- High blood pressure
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Tremors
- Unusual heart rate
Stage 3: Hours 48 and Beyond
- Seizures
- Insomnia
- Hallucinations
- Sweating and fever
- Agitation
- Delirium tremens
Some Shocking Statistics
- The number of liver disease deaths related to alcoholism in the U.S. is 22,246, while in 2009, alcohol-related problems were the primary causes of 1 in 3 liver transplants.
- Youth with alcohol issues are 50 times more likely to use cocaine, compared to those who never drink.
- About 401,000 adolescents in the age group of 12-17 have Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), and among those, only 5% receive treatment.
- Almost 3.9 million Americans receive Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD) treatment in 2005, 2.5 million had an alcohol addiction.
- Per the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), about 86.3% of 18 years or older drank alcohol at least once in their lifetime.
Alcoholism Prevention
The best way to stop any kind of addiction is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Alcoholism is no different. By catching the triggers in time, you can help prevent alcohol addiction. Alcoholism can happen due to many factors, such as having a sibling or parent with addiction; in such cases, it is about four times more likely that you may develop a dependence on this substance.
On average, people with family histories of abuse may choose to abstain since it can be an effective tool to prevent alcohol dependence. But not everyone can be a teetotaler (those who don’t touch a drink in their lifetime), but keeping the drinks in check can help you. If something is bothering you or if you are concerned that having a drink or two is messing with your head, speak to your physician who can determine if your habit is out of control.