Has your alcohol-dependent loved one decided to stop drinking or reduce their alcohol intake but is now experiencing mental or physical problems? Do you wish you could do something to ease their pain and suffering? This article will help you understand what they’re going through, discover effective treatments, and learn stories from people with the same struggles.
What Is Alcohol Withdrawal?
Alcohol withdrawal refers to symptoms that can appear when someone who has been drinking alcohol for a prolonged period stops or reduces their consumption of the substance. According to the National Institute of Health, over 50% of heavy drinkers can exhibit alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). Symptoms can range from mild to acute and can be fatal.
What Causes Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?
Alcohol is a depressant. Its consumption causes the human brain to produce more stimulating chemicals, including dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
A person who drinks frequently will build a tolerance to alcohol. Eventually, they may have to drink more to get the same feeling. As a result, the brain will produce more neurotransmitters, which can cause chemical imbalance.
Too much alcohol changes a person’s brain chemistry. When an alcoholic stops drinking, the brain will not immediately receive the message. It will continue overproducing stimulating chemicals, which causes withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline and Treatments
The time when symptoms appear varies greatly depending on several variables, including the volume of alcohol typically ingested and the duration of alcohol dependence. Even if there is no exact timeline for alcohol withdrawal, symptoms typically start showing within the first eight hours after alcohol cessation. Symptoms are usually mild at first and gradually become more severe as the hours pass.
Initial Withdrawal Stage – Within Eight Hours after Alcohol Cessation
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms that can start sometime in the first eight hours after your loved one’s final drink include:
- Restlessness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Shakiness
- Sweating
- Insomnia
Mild symptoms can progress to more severe conditions within the next 24 to 48 hours. You may be able to slow down or prevent progression by keeping your loved one calm in a controlled environment. Encourage them to eat regular, healthy meals and drink plenty of fluids except caffeinated drinks.
Connect your loved ones with a medical professional for early consultation. A physician can best determine the level of support and withdrawal treatment. For those with mild symptoms, outpatient treatment is possible. However, your loved one may need to be admitted to a rehab facility if there are abnormal laboratory results and a higher risk of complications.
Your loved one will also need your support throughout their alcohol withdrawal journey. Research shows people with supportive social networks are more likely to stay alcohol-free after withdrawal. If you’re not available, HARP can give the necessary support to the person you care about.
Second Withdrawal Stage – Between 12 and 24 Hours
Your alcohol-dependent loved one may begin experiencing an increase in mild symptoms, or their existing symptoms may become more severe between 12 to 24 hours after their last drink. Moderate symptoms can include:
- Depression
- Brain fog
- Nightmares
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
Medical professionals may prescribe medications, such as benzodiazepines, carbamazepine, and gabapentin, to ease your loved one’s withdrawal symptoms. Malnourished or dehydrated patients may be given fluids or vitamins.
Third Withdrawal Stage – From 24 to 72 Hours
Your loved one’s alcohol withdrawal symptoms may begin to level off or peak between 24 to 72 hours after their last drink. But some more protracted symptoms may stick around longer. Heavy drinkers with a history of low platelets, low potassium levels, and prior delirium tremens are at a higher risk of suffering severe withdrawal. At this stage, they may experience the following:
- Agitation
- Hallucinations
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Vomiting
Delirium tremens (DT), the most severe and life-threatening alcohol withdrawal symptom, is most likely to occur at this stage. It is characterized by disorientation and is typically accompanied by severe agitation, rapid heartbeat, fever, and high blood pressure.
Patients with severe withdrawal symptoms may need escalating doses of medicines and intensive care level monitoring.
Post-Acute Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
After 72 hours, alcohol withdrawal symptoms will likely begin to subside. With reliable treatment and support, your loved one will be able to begin a “new normal” over the next few weeks. However, note that some people can continue to experience symptoms for multiple weeks. This is known as post-acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), and symptoms include:
- Alcohol cravings
- Anxiety
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Sleep Disturbances
These symptoms gradually resolve over time.
Diagnosing Alcohol Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms are not specific and can be easily confused with other medical conditions. Hence, consulting a medical professional is necessary. A medical professional will thoroughly assess the patient’s condition, including the presence of coexisting psychiatric and medical conditions and the risk of withdrawal complications.
Story of Success
Overcoming alcoholism can be challenging, but it is possible. Here are stories of success from HARP’s former clients:
“I would do anything I could to truly pass on the message that there is a possibility for change. There is an opportunity for a better life than what you’re currently living, no matter what your circumstances are… no matter what the extent of your addiction is, there is help.”
– JOSH, Former Client of HARP
“I went into HARP a very, very broken woman with no faith – completely alone and isolated. And I was a different person when I completed the program. I felt alive for probably the first time in my life. I felt like the most authentic version of myself when I completed my stay… I’m not only a more present partner, I’m a more present mother, daughter, and friend.”
– RACQUEL, Former Client of HARP
Compassionate Help at HARP
If someone you care about has stopped drinking or reduced alcohol consumption, they are likely to experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Ensure their safety during the most challenging part of addiction recovery by connecting them with the right support.
For more severe symptoms, call HARP for professional help.
