Alcohol withdrawal is the body’s physical response when someone that is addicted to alcohol experiences when they stop suddenly. This reaction occurs with people who have alcohol use disorder, a disorder impacting 16 million Americans today. Alcohol withdrawal is not a light matter.
In its most serious form of delirium tremens alcohol withdrawal has a mortality rate of 1 to 5 percent. Many doctors will say that it is the most dangerous thing for a body to withdraw from. It enforces the need for centers such as https://nuviewtreatment.com/treatment-programs/outpatient-rehab-program-los-angeles-iop/ to be a part of the withdrawal process. Learn more about the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and what the treatment options are.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Alcohol withdrawal occurs when the body stops consuming alcohol after it has been addicted to it. The body becomes dependent on alcohol and when that stops, the body reacts. The colloquial term “the shakes” isn’t that far off, and can lead to a fatality with alcohol withdrawal.
The severity of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal will vary depending on how much the body is accustomed to. One could begin to experience symptoms within as little as a few hours. These are the most common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal:
- Tremors or shakes in the hands
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Vomiting
- Sweats
- Insomnia
The most severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Delirium Tremens (DT2)
- Racing heart
- Confusion
- Fever
This is a physical response to alcohol abstinence, and there are medical treatments available.
Treatment
The objective of alcohol withdrawal treatment is to help the patient manage the pain and withdrawal as comfortably as possible. You can have the treatment at home, unless you are in a severe state of withdrawal and shock. Once you begin alcohol withdrawal you should always seek treatment, particularly if you have been drinking heavily for a number of years. Most treatment centers or clinics will advise that you have someone with you if you are undergoing alcohol withdrawal treatment at home.
Kinds of Treatment
There are many kinds of treatment available for alcohol withdrawal. You may need inpatient treatment where you are monitored by professionals. This will offer you a safe way of treating your alcohol disorder. Depending on the extent of your problem, you may need treatment for as long as 90 days.
Outpatient treatment is also available. This is a method of treatment where you visit a facility and undergo a series of activities to treat the withdrawal and the addiction. Medication is also available for those suffering from severe alcohol withdrawal. This can help with the pain that alcohol withdrawal causes.
In conjunction with all the above treatments, support groups are also available for alcohol withdrawal. These groups play an integral role in the entire treatment plan for somebody struggling with alcohol addiction.
Seek Support for Alcohol Withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal is an incredibly painful and dangerous condition that is best managed by professionals with professionals. This is not a situation that you have to go through alone. Once your withdrawal treatment is complete, support from outpatient centers can help you stay on the path of recovery so that you don’t have to endure this withdrawal process again.