Author: Gary Jackson

Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

Identifying alcohol addiction early on can help you get the medical treatment necessary to detox safely and avoid dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Following detoxification, medications and psychosocial support can effectively reduce the craving for alcohol and the chance of addiction relapse. The alcohol withdrawal timeline varies, but the worst of the symptoms typically wear off after 72 hours. People who are daily or heavy drinkers may need medical support to quit. Stopping drinking abruptly can lead to seizures and can even be fatal. Alcohol withdrawal occurs when someone who becomes physically dependent on alcohol after excessive drinking stops or reduces their use.

Symptoms and Causes

  1. Your doctor’s treatment goal is helping you stop drinking as quickly and safely as possible.
  2. They can also help you manage any symptoms of alcohol withdrawal you experience when you stop drinking.
  3. “In a treatment setting, it’s very, very safe to be detoxified from alcohol,” Novak said.
  4. It’s important to address issues with heavy drinking in a medical environment rather than trying it on your own.
  5. Hallucinations can set in around 24 hours, with the next 24 to 48 hours being the highest risk for seizures and delirium tremens.
  6. When this happens, your central nervous system can no longer adapt easily to the lack of alcohol.

Behavioral health treatment for alcohol problems is often (but not always) covered by insurance. In the United States, most states have low-cost or free rehabilitation programs for those who are uninsured. There are many support options available that can help guide you through alcohol withdrawal, as well as abstaining from alcohol after withdrawal. The prognosis (outlook) for someone with alcohol withdrawal depends greatly on its severity. Many involve a combination of group psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. If you or someone you know is misusing alcohol, contact a doctor before stopping use.

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal delirium

Although benzodiazepines are the primary drug treatment for alcohol withdrawal, your doctor may also use other drugs alongside them. This can include drugs like clonidine (Catapres) and haloperidol (Haldol). If you drink daily, your body becomes dependent on alcohol over time. When this happens, your central nervous system can no longer adapt easily to the lack of alcohol. If you suddenly stop drinking or significantly reduce the amount of alcohol you drink, it can cause AWS.

How is alcohol withdrawal syndrome treated?

Moderate to heavy drinkers can also benefit from medical supervision in the acute withdrawal stage. Alcohol withdrawal causes a range of symptoms when a person with alcohol use disorder stops or significantly decreases their alcohol intake. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, with the most severe being life-threatening. If your body is dependent on alcohol, it’s likely that you’ll experience some form of withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking. Mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal can be done in an outpatient setting, often requiring daily check-ins. Individuals with more serious symptoms should be treated in an inpatient setting, where their condition can be more closely monitored.

Dangerous drug

AUD is the most common substance use disorder in the U.S., affecting 28.8 million adults. There’s a lot of conflicting information about what types of substances can bring dangerous or deadly withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal from various substances may involve different combinations of physical, mental, and emotional symptoms, some of which can be dangerous if left untreated.

Risks and Complications

The treatment for alcohol withdrawal involves supportive care and medications. Some people can be treated at home, but others may need supervised care in a hospital setting to avoid potentially dangerous complications such as seizures. For women, it’s defined as four or more drinks in one sitting.

If your home environment is not supportive for staying sober, talk with your doctor. Your doctor may be able to connect you with shelter programs for people recovering from alcohol addiction. A high fever, hallucinations, and heart disturbances are all reasons to seek immediate help. Contact your doctor right away if you’re concerned about the symptoms you’re experiencing during alcohol withdrawal. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines heavy drinking as 15 drinks a week for men and eight drinks a week for women. Alcohol withdrawal delirium (AWD) is the most serious form of alcohol withdrawal.

The sooner you begin treatment, the better your chances are of preventing life threatening complications. “Whether mild or severe, alcohol withdrawal symptoms signal that your body has become physically dependent on alcohol and is a cause of concern,” Volpicelli says. For most people, withdrawal from alcohol causes mild to moderate symptoms, like headaches, rapid heart rate, and increased anxiety. Though they can feel horrible, these symptoms are not life-threatening and typically resolve in about two to seven days, Volpicelli says. When people who are dependent on alcohol suddenly quit drinking, there is a surge in neurotransmitters, way above what the body needs.

Treatment

The best way to prevent AWS is to avoid regular heavy drinking. If you already have alcohol use disorder, it’s important to seek counseling and medical care as soon as possible. The goal is to safely and gradually decrease your dependence on alcohol so that you can resume your daily life. If you begin experiencing severe symptoms of AWS, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention.