Rock bottom does not look the same for everyone. One person may feel down and out after losing their job or partner, while another may not know how to pick themselves up after a major life change or disappointment.
However, sometimes, rock bottom means waking up from another night of binge drinking and not knowing where you are or what happened. Unfortunately, this type of alcohol consumption usually goes beyond the typical mild withdrawal phase of headaches and insomnia.
When you drink heavily for a long period, there is a very high risk that you will suffer severe withdrawal symptoms if you abruptly quit drinking or do not have access to more alcohol.
Withdrawal symptoms for alcohol abuse can be incredibly frightening and even life-threatening. It is crucial to have a crisis plan ready if and when you experience the following symptoms.
Five Most Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
If you drink every day (or binge drink regularly), your body becomes used to functioning on alcohol. When you suddenly stop consuming alcohol, it disrupts your brain’s neurotransmitter balance. This almost immediately causes feelings of anxiety, irritability, and restlessness.
However, these are only the milder withdrawal symptoms for alcohol use. If you are a heavy drinker and you stop, you may experience the following severe symptoms.
Hyperthermia
Within 24 hours after consuming your last drink, you may begin to experience an increase in blood pressure, heart palpitations, and hyperthermia. Hyperthermia refers to the body’s temperature rising above its normal range and exceeding 103°F.
This happens due to disrupted thermoregulation. Regular alcohol consumption interferes with the body’s natural ability to regulate temperature. When you abruptly stop drinking, this mechanism fails, and your body cannot regulate its internal temperature effectively.
Moreover, because sweating is one of the most common withdrawal symptoms for alcohol use, it could lead to dehydration. This further impairs your body’s ability to cool down, worsening hyperthermia.
Unfortunately, hyperthermia can be fatal. It is crucial to get to the nearest ER for immediate treatment if you experience a high body temperature during alcohol withdrawal.
Hallucinations
You may experience visual and even auditory hallucinations during the alcohol withdrawal period. This means you may hear voices talking to you even though you are the only one in the room. You may also see or feel things crawling towards you or on your skin.
Hallucinations can be terrifying and usually precede panic attacks and tremors. Heavy alcohol use depresses the central nervous system. When you stop drinking, the brain becomes almost hyperactive to compensate for the lack of alcohol. This causes an imbalance in brain chemicals, particularly a decrease in GABA (inhibitory neurotransmitter) and an increase in glutamate (excitatory neurotransmitter). This is believed to be the primary cause of withdrawal hallucinations.
Your crisis plan for withdrawal should include a trip to the ER if your loved ones notice your hallucinations accompany negative or suicidal thoughts.
Panic Attacks
Hallucinations may result in a panic attack. You may become overwhelmed by physical sensations and be unable to focus on anything else. It is common practice for those suffering from a panic attack to try to focus on things they can see, touch, hear, and smell.
However, when you are in the middle of an alcohol withdrawal process, this may be impossible. In this case, getting medical attention as soon as possible is crucial.
Seizures
If you undergo severe withdrawal symptoms for alcohol use, there is a risk that your symptoms may include seizures. Many of the more than 2 million Americans who undergo alcohol withdrawal every year suffer tonic-clonic seizures (formerly known as grand mal seizures).
If you suffer a seizure, your muscles will become stiff, and the air will force itself through your vocal cords. You will lose consciousness and fall (if sitting or standing), at which point your arms and legs will begin to jerk.
These seizures typically last around one to three minutes, and you may be extremely confused or irritable when it is over.
The danger with alcohol withdrawal seizures is that if it lasts more than five minutes, you need immediate medical help. This means your loved ones should call 911 as soon as they notice you having seizure symptoms.
Confusion and Delirium Tremens
Confusion happens early on in the alcohol withdrawal process but can also occur alongside later symptoms like delirium tremens (DTs). DTs are the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal and occur two to three days after the last drink.
Sometimes, DTs occur within hours. They cause disorientation, hallucinations, hyperactivity, fever, and global confusion. Profound confusion is the tell-tale sign of DTs and signals that you need urgent medical attention.
There is no way you or your loved ones can manage DTs on your own. It is critical to include calling 911 in your withdrawal crisis plan as soon as there are any signs of DTs.
How Your Loved Ones Can Help
Even if your symptoms are likely to stay mild, you must never be alone during the withdrawal process. Your loved ones should take turns to ensure you eat well and stay hydrated. They can provide companionship and even music to help you ride out the symptoms.
Also, when your symptoms escalate, a loved one can call emergency services to ensure you get fast medical treatment.
Let HARP Help You Over the Worst
In most cases of severe alcohol withdrawal, it is simply safer to let the professionals help you overcome the worst. The expert clinical team at HARP consists of doctors, nurses, counsellors, and psychologists who can all help manage your symptoms as you overcome the alcohol withdrawal process.
At HARP Rehab, you will have access to the best medical and mental care services while you recover. Moreover, you will have ample opportunity to speak to your loved ones and check in with your business when needed.
The HARP facilities are located in the incredible Dandenong Ranges, contributing to the holistic methods of connecting with nature and yourself as your body and mind heal.
If you want to stop drinking and fear the withdrawal process, or you believe withdrawal has already started, schedule a call with a Family Support Specialist at HARP today and get the help you need.
