The journey to alcohol addiction recovery can be challenging and may even be dangerous due to the physical, mental, and emotional symptoms you might experience. Being prepared for the worst alcohol intoxication symptoms can help you get through your recovery safely and more effectively and prevent setbacks caused by relapses and injuries.
This article details some of the worst alcohol intoxication symptoms you will face during your recovery, including some strategies to manage them.
Worst Alcohol Intoxication Symptoms in Recovery
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) describes alcohol recovery as the remission from DSM-5 AUD (alcohol use disorder), as well as cessation from heavy drinking. This is usually a lifetime endeavour, with five stable years of sobriety as the biggest milestone. However, some of the most challenging periods begin as soon as six hours after your last drink.
Here are the most severe symptoms to look out for:
Seizures
Seizures can cause a lack of coordination, stiffening of the body, loss of consciousness, and convulsion or jerking movements. This is an alcohol intoxication symptom that can happen if you drink too much within a short period. Alcohol withdrawal can also trigger a seizure by causing a sudden, uncontrollable electrical disturbance in your brain.
Generalised tonic-clonic seizures are usually the type of seizure you might experience during your recovery. Its duration ranges from a few seconds to several minutes. Seizures that last for more than five minutes, consecutive seizures, and seizures accompanied by signs of difficulty in breathing need immediate medical attention.
There are some possible early-warning signs of a tonic-clonic seizure, such as prodrome. This is a hard-to-describe sensation that occurs in 21.9% of seizure patients, according to several studies. Other signs include aura or an out-of-body feeling akin to a sense of detachment, mood changes, and alteration of consciousness.
Here are some actions you should take when you witness someone experiencing seizures:
- Keep calm and ensure the environment is safe. Move dangerous objects away and prepare a cushion for the head.
- Avoid restraining the person.
- Time the seizure because prolonged episodes that last for over five minutes must be called into emergency services.
Severe Withdrawal Symptoms
You might also be greeted with some intense physical and psychological alcohol intoxication symptoms during your recovery. They are challenging, debilitating, and can disrupt your overall recovery progress because they may affect your physical and emotional stability.
Severe withdrawal symptoms include:
- Intense cravings for alcohol. You will experience an overwhelming urge to drink alcohol to the point that your mind might be preoccupied while your body is already on its way to getting alcohol.
- Insomnia or sleep disturbance. You will have to expect several nights of poor-quality sleep due to difficulty sleeping or frequently waking. Other withdrawal symptoms may further worsen this condition.
- Nausea and vomiting. Persistent nausea can induce vomiting, which can disrupt recovery and lead to loss of fluids and electrolytes. You may also experience severe headaches, partly due to dehydration.
- Extreme and rapid mood swings. Frequent and intense changes in mood are common during this period. It may be accompanied by heightened anxiety, sadness, or hopelessness.
All these can have an impact on your recovery progress. They will make it harder for you to engage in beneficial activities like attending support group meetings or therapeutic activities. They can even increase the risk of relapse since the stress they bring can make you turn to alcohol for relief. Make sure to include these symptoms in your agenda when creating a treatment plan for your alcohol recovery.
Delirium Tremens (DTs)
Delirium tremens (DTs) is one of the most dangerous, potentially life-threatening conditions that could arise after you stop consuming alcohol. It usually starts at around two to three days after you stop drinking. DTs causes acute confusion and severe disorientation, extreme restlessness and agitation, and autonomic instability. It also causes visual, tactile, and auditory hallucinations.
Delirium tremens is the most severe symptom that could manifest during your recovery period. As such, management plans for DTs should always account for medical emergencies. We recommend that you:
- Understand the risk factors. Don’t be complacent just because delirium tremens is a rare condition that only affects 3% to 5% of individuals with AUD. Remember that DTs is more likely to happen if you have a history of heavy alcohol use or if you have prior withdrawal episodes.
- Seek medical supervision. Ask for a thorough evaluation from a healthcare specialist to assess your risk for DTs. Work with them to develop a treatment plan that includes medication for preventing or managing it.
- Prepare for an emergency. Educate your support network about the signs of DTs so they know when to seek urgent medical attention. Have emergency contacts ready, and develop a clear action plan for what to do when the symptoms hit, like how to quickly get to a medical facility.
Preparing for and Managing Severe Symptoms
You might face these symptoms during your recovery journey. The best you can do is to prepare for them.
Seek Medical Supervision
Professional medical supervision is important for your recovery. Health specialists can monitor the severity of symptoms, prevent complications, and adjust treatment plans according to the situation. They’ll ensure the safe use of medications and can help identify severe symptoms like DTs early on for prompt intervention.
Prepare the Home
Whether you’re an outpatient or have returned from a rehab facility, you should ensure that the place you’ll stay is safe and conducive to your recovery. Remove hazardous objects like sharp items, secure heavy furniture, and ensure your floors are not a tripping hazard. Have some first-aid kits ready and install safety equipment like smoke detectors and bathroom grab bars.
Establish a Support Network
Involve trusted individuals with your recovery, whether family and friends, local and online support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, or support teams like HARP’s rehab specialists. They will provide the emotional support needed through this journey. Those close to you can monitor your symptoms, help you during emergencies, and aid in your daily tasks.
Professional Management of Alcohol Intoxication Symptoms
If you want a team of professionals to help you prepare for and manage your alcohol intoxication symptoms, try Hills & Ranges Private (HARP). At HARP, we provide a 5-star environment so you can focus on your recovery as comfortably as possible while ensuring that each passing day gets you closer to achieving sobriety. We’ll take care of you during your stay at our facility and provide aftercare to sustain lifelong recovery.
Want to get the best result for your alcohol recovery? Make sure that you are in good hands. Build your professional support team.
