For several individuals who are suffering because of alcohol dependency, quitting drinking is not as simple as making a decision. It is a physical, psychological, and emotional journey. One of the significant challenges in this path to sobriety is alcohol withdrawal, which is a condition that happens when any person in the habit of drinking heavily for several months or even years, suddenly stops drinking or decreases the alcohol intake significantly.
A proper understanding of alcohol withdrawal is required for anybody who is thinking of quitting drinking or offering support to anyone through recovery. For that, it is essential to know what is alcohol withdrawal, what are its symptoms, what duration it lasts, the potential complications and the different treatment options available.
What is alcohol withdrawal?
Alcohol withdrawal is the response that the body gives when someone suddenly stops alcohol intake after a prolonged period of heavy drinking. Alcohol often has a depressant impact on the brain, thereby slowing down its functioning. As time passes by, the brain adapts to the alcohol by working hard to remain alert and well-balanced.
When alcohol intake is suddenly stopped, the brain continues to be in a hyperactive state, thereby causing various physical and mental symptoms that can range from mild to severe. These imbalances trigger withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms
How severe the alcohol withdrawal symptoms will be largely depends on the individual, their habits of drinking and overall health. Usually, symptoms show off within 6 – 24 hours after the last drink and include:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Headache
- Shaky Hands
- Fast heart rate
- Sweating
In some rare cases, moderate to severe symptoms also occur such as
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Confusion
- Fever
- Agitation
- High blood pressure
One of the most serious symptoms of alcohol withdrawal is Delirium Tremens which is life-threatening. It includes hallucinations, severe confusion, cardiovascular collapse and seizures. They occur within 48-72 hours after your last drink in about 5% of the cases. You must know how alcohol addiction affects your health?
Timeline of alcohol withdrawal
While there is no exact timeline for alcohol withdrawal and it greatly varies from person to person, still the general timeline is as follows:
- 6-12 hours post last drink: Early symptoms start such as headache, nausea, insomnia
- 12-48 hours – Symptoms start intensifying where some people might get hallucinations or seizures
- 48-72 hours – In this period there is a high risk of getting serious symptoms such as delirium tremens. At this stage, there is a high need for medical supervision.
- Post 72 hours: Symptoms start improving even if psychological symptoms like depression and anxiety might persist for several weeks or even months.
Risk factors for severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms
Many individuals are at high risk of getting severe alcohol withdrawal. Some of the risk factors include
- Heavy drinking
- History of seizures or delirium tremens
- Pre-existing mental health conditions
- Liver disease
- Parallel use of other substances
Treatment
Alcohol withdrawal must not be taken lightly. For those people with a history of severe withdrawal symptoms or chronic use of alcohol, detox is a treatment that is strongly recommended.
Some of the treatment options are
- Use of medications like Benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, beta-blockers etc.
- IV fluid and electrolyte replacement for prevention of dehydration and correct imbalance
- Nutritive support as chronic use of alcohol can cause depletion of nutrients such as thiamine, folate and magnesium which are important during the withdrawal recovery period.
Seeking medical assistance is important as trying to detox at home mainly for those having a long history of alcohol intake, can be very dangerous. Without proper care, alcohol withdrawal seizures, rapid heartbeat and hallucinations can become life-threatening. With proper medical assistance, there is assurance of physical safety and also the right access to psychological and emotional support. Anti addiction serum also help easing these symptoms.
Role of rehabilitation support in alcohol withdrawal pathway
Rehabilitation centres play an important role in assisting individuals not only in the management of alcohol withdrawal but also in maintaining long-term sobriety. Medical detox treats physical dependency on alcohol and rehab centres focus more on the emotional, psychological and behavioural sides of addiction. In simple terms, it offers a holistic pathway to recovery from alcohol addiction.
Here are a few ways in which an alcohol withdrawal rehab centre helps:
- A well-structured and managed environment
- Strong psychological support
- Peer support and group therapy
- Customized treatment plans
- Strategies to prevent relapse
- Aftercare and consistent support
In simple terms, rehab centres are something more than detox. It involves healing, transformation and liberation. For someone who is suffering because of dependency on alcohol, a comprehensive rehab center can become a turning point towards a healthy and sober life.
Conclusion
Alcohol withdrawal is a severe medical condition that needs the right care and support. Identifying the symptoms, understanding the risks and getting on-time assistance can bring a substantial difference in terms of both safety and long-term success.
If you or your loved ones are thinking of quitting alcohol, do not try by yourself at home. Seek assistance from a healthcare professional, or any local rehab center to make sure a safe and well-maintained detox process.
