Withdrawal progress is monitored through frequent check-up appointments within outpatient clinical settings (e.g., doctor’s office), allowing for the level of care to be escalated if needed. Medications are one of the first-choice alcohol withdrawal syndrome treatments. Medications are tailored to treat both the uncomfortable and potentially life-threatening alcohol withdrawal syndrome symptoms. The safest way to detox from alcohol misuse is under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
First stage: Mild symptoms
Seizures often occur in the early stages of withdrawal, and they may happen in the absence of other AWS. More than 90% of acute seizures occur in the first 48 hours after your last drink. There are many support options available that can help guide you through alcohol withdrawal, as well as abstaining from alcohol after withdrawal. Individuals should be prepared to be uncomfortable during this period and have medical help available if needed. This is the period in which delirium tremens is most likely to occur, which requires immediate medical attention. If you or someone you know shows signs of delirium tremens, go to the emergency room immediately.
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome vs. a hangover
This figure increases to 91% for those who have remained abstinent and have attended AA for 5 years or more. Symptoms can become severe, and it can be difficult to predict which people will develop life-threatening symptoms. If a person has alcohol use disorder, their body gets used to a certain amount of alcohol in their system. Too much alcohol can irritate the stomach lining, cause dehydration, and lead to an inflammatory response in the body. As the alcohol wears off, these effects lead to common hangover symptoms, such as headache, nausea, and fatigue.
Hospitalization
These symptoms occur as a person’s body adjusts to the absence of alcohol in their system. And while symptoms typically improve within 5 days, some individuals may experience prolonged symptoms. If you are detoxing at home, anything beyond mild symptoms should trigger you to seek medical help. Delirium tremens (DTs) is a serious condition that some people struggling with alcohol withdrawal go through. It is characterized by severe nausea, seizures and hallucinations. If you begin to experience DT, you always need to get immediate medical attention, as it can be life-threatening.
- Medical detox takes place at a detox facility, so you can be closely supervised and monitored by your doctor.
- Like deep breathing, meditation can help you stay balanced and relaxed during your withdrawal.
- These treatments can help ensure that you are able to detox safely and minimize the withdrawal symptoms that you will experience.
- Clinical institute withdrawal assessment of alcohol scale, revised (CIWA-Ar).
- Your doctor will evaluate your usual diet and check for vitamin deficiencies because poor nutrition is common when someone is dependent on alcohol.
- Alcohol withdrawal can produce both physical and psychological symptoms.
This is so your doctor can monitor your condition and manage any complications. You may need to get fluids intravenously, or through your veins, to prevent dehydration and medications to help ease your symptoms. You’ve taken an important first step toward recovery by deciding to stop drinking. Now, try to keep in mind that even though withdrawal Cure for Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms symptoms may be unpleasant, they’re temporary, and treatment is available during this time. Alcohol withdrawal is widespread among people with alcohol use disorders who decide to stop drinking or reduce their intake. Still, if you’re experiencing alcohol withdrawal, it’s essential to have your symptoms evaluated by a medical professional.
- Medical professionals can help you get through alcohol withdrawal safely.
- Stopping drinking abruptly can lead to seizures and can even be fatal.
- Still, people experiencing these withdrawal symptoms are generally fully conscious and can think clearly.
- A “spiked” drink, meaning one with a drug added to it without your knowledge, is a threat to anyone, regardless of sex or gender.
They may prescribe them only for use as needed, not daily, and they may prescribe lower doses or pick benzodiazepines that aren’t as strong. Your healthcare provider can explain their recommendations for your treatment, including the timeline for which treatments you receive and why. Just as some people with diabetes or asthma may have flare-ups of their disease, a relapse to drinking can be seen as a temporary setback to full recovery and not a complete failure.
Importance of Nutrition and Hydration in Alcohol Withdrawal Recovery
- This can lead to an increased need for certain nutrients, such as B vitamins, particularly thiamine (Vitamin B1), which is often depleted in individuals with long-term alcohol use.
- It provides multiple benefits, both physiological and psychological, that can ease the challenging process of detoxification and abstinence.
- The craving for alcohol may be a persistent challenge during and after withdrawal.
- Most people with mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal don’t need treatment in a hospital.
- The initial stage of withdrawal may include symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, nausea, and abdominal pain.
