Alcohol withdrawal also known as alcohol withdrawal syndrome, refers to a range of symptoms that a person may experience when they stop or considerably reduce alcohol consumption. It can have mild or severe symptoms.
Alcohol withdrawal is a common issue that can impact about half of the people with alcohol use disorder who abandon or considerably reduce their alcohol consumption.
In this blog, we want to explore the potential symptoms and side effects of alcohol withdrawal, the time it starts, the causes of this issue, and the recommended treatments.
If you are seeking specialized assistance for alcohol withdrawal, Pacific Interventions can provide you with professional suggestions to handle this process effectively.
The Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal usually start within 6 to 24 hours of stopping or considerably reducing long-term alcohol use. The potential symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can range from mild to severe, including:
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Heart palpitations
- Increased blood pressure
- High body temperature
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Delirium
The Timeline of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
The severity and length of alcohol withdrawal can be different based on several factors. The general timeline usually includes:
- From six to twelve hours after the last alcohol consumption: You may experience mild symptoms, such as headache, mild anxiety, and insomnia.
- Within 24 hours of the last intake: Hallucinations may happen, depending on the intensity of withdrawal.
- Between one to three days after the last intake: The people who have experienced mild to moderate withdrawal, the symptoms usually reach their worst and start to end in this timeframe. Delirium tremens may occur between 48 to 72 hours after your last intake.
Some people may experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms, such as insomnia and mood changes for a longer time, up to weeks and months.
The Causes of Alcohol Withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal usually happens when people stop consuming or significantly decrease their alcohol consumption after a long time of use. Alcohol slows down the central nervous system. If you regularly use considerable amounts of alcohol, the central nervous system gets used to alcohol. Consequently, the central nervous system must work harder to get rid of the depressant impacts of alcohol to keep your body working.
When you stop using alcohol after long, heavy consumption, the central nervous system can’t respond or adjust itself quickly. It becomes excessively excited since there’s no more alcohol to depress it. This overload of activity leads to withdrawal symptoms.
The Risk Factors for Alcohol Withdrawal
It is hard to determine who will experience alcohol withdrawal and its severity level. The appearance of alcohol withdrawal symptoms is dependent on several factors, such as:
- The body chemistry
- Age
- Physical and mental health conditions
- Medications you currently use
Some factors can raise the risk of severe alcohol withdrawal, including:
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Age more than 65
- Delirium tremens or alcohol withdrawal seizures
- Dehydration
- Brain lesions
- Abnormal liver function
Diagnosing Alcohol Withdrawal
If your health provider thinks you might be experiencing alcohol withdrawal, they’ll ask you questions about your alcohol use history and how recently you stopped using. They want to understand if you’ve ever undergone withdrawal before.
They’ll also talk about your symptoms. During an exam, they’ll search for other medical conditions to know if they could be to blame.
The Treatment for Alcohol Withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal treatment seeks to:
- Minimize withdrawal symptoms
- Prevent complications
- Deliver treatment options for alcohol consumption disorder
The treatment options can be different depending on the severity of alcohol withdrawal and the likelihood that it could change into severe withdrawal.
Treatment of Mild to Moderate Alcohol Withdrawal
Short-term medications are usually prescribed by healthcare providers to alleviate the symptoms of mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal. For mild alcohol withdrawal, carbamazepine or gabapentin are the medications that can relieve symptoms. Benzodiazepines or barbiturates are medications that can lower the risk of development of seizures and delirium tremens for moderate alcohol withdrawal.
Treatment of Severe or Complicated Alcohol Withdrawal
Severe alcohol withdrawal requires specialized treatment in the hospital. While undergoing treatment, healthcare providers must check you regularly to ensure you don’t develop dangerous complications.
The best treatment for severe symptoms is long-acting benzodiazepines —usually IV diazepam or IV lorazepam.
How to Prevent Alcohol Withdrawal?
The best possible way to prevent alcohol withdrawal is to avoid consuming alcohol altogether or to get professional advice from medical centers like Pacific Interventions as soon as possible.
The Prognosis for Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
Most people with alcohol withdrawal syndrome can completely recover. If you’re otherwise healthy and can stop consuming alcohol and get treatment, the outlook is typically good. However, insomnia, irritability, and fatigue may last for months.
If alcohol withdrawal syndrome has progressed to delirium tremens, it can be fatal. If you begin going through severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, it’s crucial to seek urgent medical attention from reputable medical centers like Pacific Interventions. The sooner you start treatment, the better your chances are of preventing fatal complications.
FAQs
1. What are the common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome?
The common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome usually include anxiety, shaking or tremors, sweating, insomnia, headache, irritability, confusion, hallucinations, and seizures.
2. How long does alcohol withdrawal syndrome typically last?
The duration of alcohol withdrawal syndrome can be different depending on numerous factors, such as the individual’s level of alcohol dependence, general health, and possible complications. The mild to moderate symptoms of alcohol withdrawal usually reach the worst within the first 24 to 72 hours after the last intake.
3. When should someone seek medical help for alcohol withdrawal syndrome?
Someone should seek medical help for alcohol withdrawal syndrome if they go through severe symptoms or complications like hallucinations or delirium tremens, seizures, high fever, severe confusion, or suicidal thoughts.
In addition, people with a history of severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms or underlying medical conditions should also seek medical help when undergoing alcohol withdrawal syndrome. It is crucial to remember that alcohol withdrawal can be fatal in some cases, so it is necessary to seek professional assistance for proper evaluation, monitoring, and treatment.
