What Are Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?
Withdrawal from Alcohol is a serious matter. The effects on the body from Alcohol use is extreme, and because of these effects Alcohol withdrawal can very quickly become an acute medical emergency. Withdrawal from Alcohol can cause a hypertensive crisis or myocardial infraction. In other words, a stroke or heart attack caused by sudden stoppage in taking Alcohol or respiratory distress syndrome whereby your body shuts down from the lungs and respiratory system outwards. Alcohol withdrawal can also lead to serious anxiety and mental health related issues.
Never in any circumstances underestimate the seriousness of Alcohol withdrawal1. If you are withdrawing from Alcohol it is advisable to seek medical attention and in the case of medical emergency from Alcohol withdrawal do not hesitate to head to the nearest Emergency Room.
Alcohol withdrawal will vary for everyone and will be affected by several factors. The length and severity of Alcohol use with be one of the main predictors of withdrawal symptoms and intensity. With Alcohol withdrawal, it’s impossible to accurately predict how an individual will react to withdrawal.
Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline
Full Alcohol withdrawal often takes seven to fourteen days but sometimes longer, and the Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are categorized according to their severity.
There are no minor symptoms of Alcohol withdrawal. The first symptoms to exhibit themselves, usually 3-12 hours after Alcohol withdrawal starts proper are headaches, tremors, sweating, itching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and total confusion with anxiety or depression.
These are followed relatively quickly by the next stage in Alcohol withdrawal timeline by:
- Insomnia
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Confusion
- Tremors
- Anxiety
- Digestive discomfort
- Headaches
- Heart palpitations
- Panic attacks
- Muscle pain
- Psychosis
- Delirium tremens
- Relapse
Worryingly, every time an individual attempts Alcohol withdrawal the severity of symptoms tends to increase.
Alcohol withdrawal has a mortality rate of between three and 19 per cent, depending on seriousness of Alcohol usage.
Withdrawal from Alcohol is a physically demanding process, in which the body will utilize every means possible to remove toxins, while creating psychological challenges because of the changes to the individuals brain chemistry.
Alcohol Detox Process
The severity of Alcohol detox makes it a process that should be approached carefully. Alcohol Detox, especially for those with a heavy or long-lasting Alcohol dependency, produces a range of symptoms and in extreme cases withdrawal can be fatal. However much they may want to end their addiction to Alcohol, it’s vital to seek medical advice and enlist the support of their loved ones.
Alcohol Withdrawal at a Rehab
Detoxing from Alcohol within a treatment facility ensures medical help if it’s needed during the treatment process. Because Alcohol rebound is a significant danger during withdrawal, having medical personnel present 24-hours a day can mean an instant response to any hypertensive or life-threatening crisis that may occur as a professional tapering process lowers the chances of patients experiencing fatal episodes.
Alcohol withdrawal and detox begins with an initial medical exam to determine the patient’s physical condition upon entry into the rehab. This pre-detox Alcohol withdrawal period can last up to 24 hours, as medical personnel determines both the patient’s general medical condition and drug history.
Detoxification of the patient’s body from Alcohol begins after the pre-detox period ends. Medically assisted or tapered withdrawal from Alcohol can take up to a few weeks to complete.