Alcohol Withdrawal & Treatment
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When an individual has a physiological dependence on alcohol, the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal experienced when alcohol intake is significantly reduced or stopped can be extremely distressing and uncomfortable. As a result, people commonly return to drinking alcohol to relieve their discomfort.
About alcohol withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a set of symptoms that occur when someone is physically dependent on alcohol and suddenly stops drinking or drastically reduces their alcohol intake.
Withdrawal from alcohol is believed to arise due to various changes in brain activity caused by prolonged and excessive alcohol use. Because of this, the symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal reflect disruptions in both excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter activity in the brain.
The impacts alcohol has on the body are complex, but two particular neurochemicals contribute to both the short-term effects of drinking and the development of AWS when someone stops drinking.
Alcohol withdrawal treatment: when to seek help at Daylight Recovery Center
You might be wondering if alcohol withdrawal treatment is necessary as you decrease or stop your alcohol consumption. Typically, alcohol withdrawal syndrome treatment is needed when you cannot reduce or stop drinking without experiencing symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. It is time to seek treatment for alcohol withdrawal if you begin experiencing consequences from your alcohol misuse and still cannot stop or cut back on the amount you are consuming62.
Factors affecting alcohol withdrawal
What happens to your body when you stop consuming alcohol may depend on several factors. The severity of alcohol withdrawal and the signs of withdrawal will vary for different individuals based on their level of physiological dependence on alcohol.
Understanding the alcohol withdrawal timeline and its stages
There are three stages and signs of alcohol withdrawal that an individual in withdrawal could experience:
Stage 1 of the alcohol withdrawal timeline: Mild symptoms can include headaches, insomnia, increased anxiety, hand tremors, heart palpitations, and gastrointestinal issues.
Stage 2 of the alcohol withdrawal timeline: Moderate symptoms may include the above-listed mild symptoms, as well as increased blood pressure, confusion, increased heart rate, abnormal breathing, and mild hyperthermia.
Stage 3 of the alcohol withdrawal timeline: Severe symptoms can include all of the above symptoms, along with auditory hallucinations, seizures, impaired attention, and disorientation.
Without treatment by a healthcare addiction professional, some people can rapidly progress from Stage 2 to Stage 3 on the alcohol withdrawal timeline.
Alcohol withdrawal timeline
While the exact timeline for alcohol withdrawal will vary between individuals, it is based on several factors, including the quantity and duration of alcohol consumption, as well as physical and mental health issues. However, a typical alcohol withdrawal timeline for symptoms and detox may look similar to this:
- 6–12 hours: The relatively mild early symptoms of alcohol withdrawal may begin to be felt, including headaches, mild anxiety, insomnia, upset stomach, and slight tremors.
- Within 24 hours: Signs of alcohol withdrawal can include visual, auditory, or tactile hallucinations.
- Within 24–72 hours: Various symptoms of alcohol withdrawal may be experienced, as some have peaked, some have resolved, and some may persist. Seizure risk is usually highest from 24 to 48 hours after the last drink. Delirium tremens (DTs) can appear during this time range.
Rarely, some individuals experience more persistent signs of alcohol withdrawal, such as sleep disturbances, fatigue, and mood changes, that can last for months. It is crucial to remember that most people recover fully with proper medical detox and alcohol withdrawal syndrome treatment.
While stopping alcohol consumption is not easy, consider what addiction and problem drinking are doing to you, how they impact your life, and how much they cost you.
The best alcohol withdrawal treatment programs
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome treatment is often considered the first step of recovery. It helps you manage and navigate the problematic symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. However, this step does not address the patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to alcohol use, misuse, and abuse. Additional alcohol addiction treatment approaches and settings are essential for ongoing support and to help maintain sobriety after you complete detox.
The journey through alcohol withdrawal symptoms is variable and somewhat unpredictable. Screening and assessment tools do not always allow physicians to confidently predict who will experience life-threatening symptoms. Individuals with mild symptoms, or those concerned about what to expect, will benefit from the advice of a professionally trained addiction team. Those experiencing moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms, or with a history of severe symptoms, typically require inpatient monitoring and treatment.
Ongoing support after detox
Outpatient treatment may be available for those with mild-to-moderate symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, but inpatient care may be necessary if symptoms become severe. After detox, ongoing support is crucial for long-term recovery. This support can include therapies such as family therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), participation in support groups like AA, and continued guidance and education from alcohol addiction specialists. These resources help individuals build coping skills, address underlying issues, and maintain their commitment to sobriety.
Alcohol withdrawal medications
To prevent or lessen alcohol withdrawal symptoms or medical complications associated with severe withdrawal, doctors may prescribe medications that can stop specific alcohol withdrawal reactions from progressing to more severe outcomes, stabilize patients, and provide supportive care.
Dangers of alcohol withdrawal
It is important to seek alcohol withdrawal treatment, as facing withdrawal alone can be risky. Moderate-to-severe alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous and even life-threatening. While severe symptoms are relatively rare, predicting who will experience them is often difficult. Some individuals may only have mild withdrawal symptoms, while others could develop more serious complications.
Several factors can increase the risk of severe alcohol withdrawal. These predictors include daily and heavy alcohol consumption, older age, a history of alcohol seizures or delirium tremens (DTs), comorbid medical conditions, dehydration, disturbed electrolytes, brain lesions, and liver function abnormalities. Recognizing these risk factors can help determine who may need closer monitoring during withdrawal.
The important of professional treatment
Unfortunately, it is impossible to precisely predict who will experience which symptoms, the course of withdrawal, or the severity of alcohol withdrawal. Individual factors such as body chemistry, the amount and frequency of alcohol consumption, age, and coexisting physical or mental health conditions all play a role. Because of these uncertainties, it is crucial to seek professional alcohol withdrawal treatment. Medical supervision ensures that any complications are managed promptly and that you receive the appropriate level of care for your unique situation.
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If you or a loved one are suffering with drug abuse or alcohol addiction, reach out to Flyland Recovery Network for addiction help.
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Get confidential help 24/7.
If you or a loved one are suffering with drug abuse or alcohol addiction, reach out to Flyland Recovery Network for addiction help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does alcohol withdrawal last
A variety of factors can influence the type and severity of symptoms that a person may experience during alcohol withdrawal. In general, signs of alcohol withdrawal peak within 24 to 72 hours and resolve within 4 to 5 days. In some cases, less intense symptoms of anxiety can linger following withdrawal. Persistent anxiety beyond detox may be a potential indicator of an anxiety disorder.
What does alcohol withdrawal feel like?
Alcohol withdrawal typically involves a range of emotional, psychological, and cognitive symptoms, including increased agitation, anxiety, irritability, and restlessness. An individual may have impaired judgment, difficulty focusing or remembering, and, in severe cases, panic attacks, hallucinations, and paranoid or persecutory delusions resulting from alcohol withdrawal. The withdrawal symptoms a person experiences, and their severity, may vary significantly from one person to the next.
What are the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal?
Signs and symptoms of the various timelines and stages of alcohol withdrawal can include:
anxiety
headaches
tremors
insomnia
fatigue
mood changes
gastrointestinal issues
heart palpitations
increased blood pressure or heart rate
hyperthermia
fast, abnormal breathing
hallucinations
seizures
When does alcohol withdrawal start?
When you stop or significantly reduce alcohol intake, it disrupts your brain activity. The brain is used to the decreased anxiety and sedation caused by alcohol and compensates for the changes that alcohol makes to the receptors in our brains. This causes a hyper-aroused state, leading to a range of withdrawal symptoms that can appear within hours after your last drink.
What is withdrawal from alcohol?
It is estimated that over 50% of people with a history of alcohol misuse will experience withdrawal symptoms. In addition, the probability of developing alcohol withdrawal increases with the amount and frequency of alcohol consumed. Most people who experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms drink daily, consuming large amounts for multiple days (typically more than eight standard drinks per day).
What helps alcohol withdrawal?
Because moderate to severe alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening, close medical monitoring for symptom development, in addition to the use of certain sedating medications (e.g., benzodiazepines like chlordiazepoxide [Librium], diazepam [Valium], lorazepam [Ativan], and oxazepam [Serax]), can help stabilize the patient and minimize seizures and other severe withdrawal symptoms.
A person who is at risk of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, or thinks they might be at risk, should seek the guidance of a physician or other treatment professional. Benzodiazepines are frequently used to manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms. As a patient’s condition stabilizes, a physician gradually tapers down the dose over several days until the patient is off the medication. The dosage and tapering schedule are determined by the medication used and the patient’s response to it.
What is inpatient alcohol treatment?
Inpatient alcohol treatment involves living at an alcohol addiction treatment facility for the duration of alcohol withdrawal and addiction treatment, while receiving around-the-clock support and intensive therapy in both group and individual sessions.
To keep you safe and comfortable, a doctor or other medical professional can best determine the level of supervision, monitoring, and medical intervention you might need for appropriate withdrawal management at an alcohol treatment center in Florida. In general, alcohol withdrawal treatment may involve many different medical professionals, including a physician (who may or may not specialize in treating substance use disorders), as well as nursing and clinical support staff, psychologists, social workers, and mental health counselors.
What is outpatient alcohol treatment?
Outpatient alcohol addiction treatment involves remaining at home and attending group and individual therapy sessions at regularly scheduled appointments. This provides you with an opportunity to practice what you learn in treatment in real-world situations while managing stressors.
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If someone you care about is enduring and suffering from alcohol withdrawal, they most likely need to receive medical care at an alcohol treatment center and follow the advice of a physician to detox safely.
You should never attempt to withdraw and detox on your own-there is alcohol treatment available near you. Alcohol treatment centers with a doctor or other medical professional can best determine the level of support you will need for appropriate withdrawal management. Daylight Recovery Center offers a safe and supportive environment where you will be supervised by a physician and nursing staff, who can provide medications and monitor your condition to ensure that you receive ongoing evaluation and appropriate management of symptoms.
