Why does alcohol withdrawal occur? What are the stages of alcohol withdrawal?
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms occur after a person who drinks alcohol regularly stops drinking. If you drink on a regular basis, you may develop alcohol dependence, which means that your brain has adjusted to the effects of regular alcohol consumption.
Alcohol abuse often leads to alcohol addiction. Whether you binge on the weekends, or have at least several alcoholic beverages each day, you may be at risk.
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome ranges in severity from uncomfortable to dangerous. For example, if you develop the third stage of alcohol detox symptoms, you are at risk for delirium tremens, a deadly alcohol withdrawal symptom.
Alcohol use disorder is the medical term for alcoholism. Alcohol is a drug, so abusing alcohol is a form of substance abuse.
People with severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms must be under medical supervision for safety, as well as comfort. An alcohol detox center will be prepared to provide expert medical care for acute alcohol withdrawal, as well as post acute withdrawal syndrome, if it occurs. Additionally, alcohol detox at home is available, where a person can safely detox in the privacy of their own home with medical supervision.
Alcohol cravings can become intense long after withdrawal symptoms subside.
When you complete detox and rehab, you may still be confronted with alcohol craving episodes, sometimes referred to as the alcohol deprivation syndrome. An important part of alcohol addiction treatment, and addiction recovery in general, is to be vigilant, and participate in an ongoing recovery support program.
Why does alcohol dependency lead to severe withdrawal, which can include seizures? The explanation lies in the interaction and balance of two important brain chemicals. GABA is a neurotransmitter known to promote calm and relaxation. Glutamate, on the other hand, is a neurotransmitter associated with excitation.
Long-term increases in alcohol intake and alcohol misuse can lead to tolerance, where the brain adjusts to the effects of alcohol by increasing glutamate and decreasing GABA. When you stop drinking suddenly, glutamate is predominant, leading to serious problems related to over-excitation of the central nervous system.
What are the symptoms of alcohol detox that can occur later on after the initial stages? Withdrawal seizures can occur, and they can be deadly. Part of the medical plan in an alcohol detox facility, and an alcohol addiction treatment program, is to prevent the alcohol withdrawal seizure.
The alcohol withdrawal timeline begins after the last drink. Withdrawal symptoms may begin as soon as just a few hours after, or even sooner. A severe symptom, such as fever or intense irritability, indicates late alcohol withdrawal stage symptoms, which are often delayed.
Is medical treatment always required when detoxing from alcohol?
When quitting alcohol, it is always recommended to work with a doctor who is familiar with alcohol detox. Yet, many people take their chances, quitting a heavy drinking problem cold turkey without medical supervision.
While there are home remedies and supplements that can help with the alcohol withdrawal symptoms, if a person reaches the late stage is alcohol withdrawal, medical treatment will be necessary. However, if a person gets through the early stages, with nausea, anxiety, and insomnia, and then withdrawal subsides, they may not be at risk for more severe symptoms.
If a person does choose to go through withdrawal without checking in to an alcohol detox, or without having a home detox nurse, it is still important to have other people involved. A close friend or family member can provide support and help out in getting medical attention if withdrawal progresses beyond stage one and two, into the more dangerous stage three.
As an alternative to alcohol withdrawal, there is an alcohol tapering method. A doctor prescribes the opioid blocker, naltrexone, and the patient takes the tablet an hour before having a drink.
Naltrexone helps to block the compulsion to keep drinking. The person is able to consume less and less alcohol gradually over time. They are able to avoid the traumatic experience of alcohol withdrawal from quitting cold turkey.
If you are interested in learning more about private alcohol detox in Fort Lauderdale, please contact us through this website.
