If you suspect you or a loved one suffers from alcoholism and you are reading this message, then there’s a good chance you wish to take action to improve the situation.
If so, it’s important for you to gain some basic knowledge of ‘alcohol withdrawal syndrome’, a term you or your loved one are soon to become acquainted with.
Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is an umbrella term for a family of symptoms an alcoholic endures when he or she suddenly ceases to drink alcohol. Symptoms vary and each person tends to experience a different set of symptoms depending on how long drinking has persisted in the period leading up to detoxification. Symptoms also vary according to the quantity of alcohol consumed.
As a rule of thumb, the longer one has consumed alcohol and the higher the quantity of consumption the more severe the symptoms will be (sounds obvious!). At the top end of the spectrum, a sufferer can expect life-threatening symptoms roughly 48 hours into cessation. Professional observation thus becomes essential. Withdrawal for a chronic alcoholic can be far more dangerous than withdrawal from harmful drugs such as heroin or crack-cocaine.
Here are the most common alcohol withdrawal symptoms:
Physical Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
- Hand tremors
- Visual hallucinations
- Sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Minor to moderate seizures (in serious cases)
Psychological Symptoms
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Insomnia
It is hard to avoid these symptoms, especially after prolonged alcohol consumption.
The Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline
The journey through the spectrum of symptoms begins as early as two hours after drinking, peaking in severity roughly two to three days after cessation. Symptoms can last for up to a year after cessation, although this tends to be limited to temptation. The spectrum of symptoms change, depending on the amount of time which has passed since you last consumed an alcoholic beverage, something we shall detail below.
The First 12 Hours After Cessation
Usually, within the first five hours of cessation, the addict will suffer irritable symptoms such as becoming anxious and experiencing the classic ‘shakes’. Vomiting and headaches may also be experienced. This is the stage when most addicts give in and start to drink again. The cycle of addiction has the addict in its grip.
12 to 24 Hours After Cessation
Symptoms tend to progressively get worse as time goes on. Symptoms begin to manifest themselves in the form of tremors and mild hallucinations which are distinguishable from reality.The more chronic the addiction, the more severe the symptoms will be.
24 to 48 Hours After Cessation
Symptoms normally peak 24 to 48 hours in. Tremors can morph into full-on seizures and the probability of death becomes a legitimate concern, especially for the chronic alcoholic. Hallucination can get more vivid and can be indistinguishable from reality, a condition known as ‘Alcoholic Hallucinosis’.
48 to 96 Hours After Cessation
Within 48 hours the sufferer tends to begin to get better. However, for the chronic alcoholic, symptoms can get progressively worse, potentially suffering from a disease known as Delirium Tremens (DT).
DT manifests itself in the form of an increased heartbeat and rapid fever, and a stroke can occur, even death. Unlike any prior hallucinations, hallucinations can be confused with reality. Such hallucinations tend to be both visual and auditory in nature.
Survivors who suffered from harsh withdrawal symptoms recount hearing threatening voices and visions of moving objects such as insects crawling around in their bed. Blood pressure also increases to dangerous levels. DT is a medical emergency requiring 24-hour medical observation. DT occurs in roughly 1 in 20 of sufferers.
Chlordiazepoxide, vitamins and several other drugs are usually prescribed to aid the detox process and prevent DT from manifesting.
96 Hours+ After Cessation
Life-threatening symptoms all but fade after 98 hours of cessation. The ‘acute’ stage of withdrawal has ended but a protracted period of symptoms can last up to one year of cessation. These set of symptoms are known as ‘non-acute withdrawal syndrome’ and can manifest in the form of an ever-present urge to return to drinking and a more insidious syndrome known as ‘anhedonia’ whereby one’s ability to feel pleasure is suppressed. Insomnia is also a common occurrence at this stage.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Timeline Infographic
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The Science Behind Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
If you have taken the time to read the above, you may be eager to learn why the brain and body behave as they do to cause alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
When prolonged intake of alcohol has occurred, the brain’s transmitters go into overdrive. A chemical known as GABA, which makes you feel calm and relaxed, increases and depletes. More alcohol is needed to get this ‘kick’. You build up a ‘tolerance’ and more and more alcohol is needed.
Chronic alcohol intake also suppresses Glutamate which is a substance in the body that produces the feeling of excitement. The glutamate system goes into overdrive to maintain normal levels of the glutamate substance. When alcohol is withdrawn the system continues in overdrive, leading to a state of hyper-excitability – or ‘neuropsychiatric’ excitability. The brain acts rather like a runaway train.
Our Approach To Treatment
You shall receive 24-hour medical observation from our knowledgeable medical staff who specialise in rehabilitating alcoholics. Medication such as Chlordiazepoxide may be offered depending on the level of severity of withdrawal symptoms. Willpower is essential and residential treatment we offer means temptation is minimised.
We additionally provide education and coping strategies that aid the overall process which is especially helpful for long-term relapse prevention.
You will also be given plenty of nutritious meals and a range of supplements to ease this difficult process of withdrawal.
Please do not forget to read our guide to surviving the withdrawal process.
