Are you worried about a close friend who has suddenly decided to stop drinking? Is your friend showing signs of severe alcohol withdrawal? If so, you cannot wait any longer to get them help.
Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous, especially if your friend is trying to ride out the symptoms on their own. As their friend, you should be doing everything you can to get them the professional intervention they need.
Recognizing Severe Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
If you are unsure of whether your friend is experiencing moderate or severe withdrawal symptoms, consider the following:
Alcohol withdrawal happens when someone who has been drinking for a long time suddenly stops or greatly reduces the amount of alcohol they drink.
So, your friend may be experiencing headaches, anxiety, and nausea, which could be classified as mild symptoms. With rest, good food, and hydration, they may go through the process without severe complications.
However, if the following symptoms are evident, immediate help is required:
- Confusion or auditory and visual hallucinations
- Tremors (shaking hands or body)
- High blood pressure or increasingly rapid heartbeat
- Excessive sweating and fever
- Seizures
If any of these symptoms happen to your friend, they may be at risk of life-threatening complications. You must get help right away.
What to Do in the Moment
If you get to your friend’s house and they are experiencing these symptoms, it is most important to stay calm. Your friend will already be scared and overwhelmed. If you get upset or angry, it will only make things worse.
What you do at the moment matters. Do not use it as an opportunity to argue with your friend about their drinking. Do not confront them about trying to deal with withdrawal symptoms on their own.
Instead, be reassuring and call for help immediately. The number to dial in Australia is 000, which will summon paramedics. They will be able to handle the symptoms experienced by your friend and provide life-saving care.
Do Not Leave Your Friend Alone
While you wait for emergency services, do not leave your friend alone. Not even for a minute. If your friend starts having a seizure, try to gently turn them on their side to prevent them from choking.
Do not slap or shake them. It is not possible to ‘shake’ someone out of a seizure. Let the seizure work itself out while you wait for help.
Do not give your friend food or medicine while waiting for emergency services. Wait for the paramedics to arrive, assess, and handle the situation.
Remember to tell the paramedics about any chronic medication your friend is taking and when they last drank alcohol.
Contact an Alcohol Addiction Specialist
Once the paramedics arrive, give them room to work. While they are helping your friend, contact Hills & Ranges Private (HARP) at 1800 534 893. The clinical team at HARP specializes in addiction treatment, including alcohol addiction. They can guide you on what to do once your friend is over the withdrawal crisis.
HARP also offers family support, which is valuable for your friend’s loved ones who want to see your friend healthy and sober again.
After the Immediate Crisis
Paramedics will assist your friend through the immediate crisis. When they get to the hospital, the doctors will take over.
It is important to note that severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms typically mean a deep dependency issue. This means your friend must get professional help to stop them from drinking again once they get back home.
When your friend is over the crisis, talk to them about getting help. Be compassionate as you explain the risks of not getting help. Let them know about HARP and how the team can help them.
Develop a Crisis Plan
With HARP’s help, you and your friend can create a personalized crisis plan. This includes:
- Detailed steps to take if your friend starts drinking again
- What to do if they stop drinking and withdrawal symptoms recur
- A list of emergency numbers, including that of doctors and addiction specialists.
These numbers include:
Emergency: 000
HARP: 1800 534 893
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Alcohol and Drug Information Service: 1800 250 015
- An idea of a safe environment for lasting recovery.
Supporting Your Friend Through Recovery
A full recovery is not going to happen overnight. Your friend’s journey to sobriety is going to be long and difficult. There is no guarantee that they will not experience setbacks. And, chances are, they will be overly emotional throughout the process.
You must offer your unwavering support during this time. You can do this by not being judgmental about something you know little about. Take some time to learn more about alcohol addiction and withdrawal so you can better understand what your friend is going through.
Keep encouraging your friend to engage with the HARP team. HARP specializes in holistic and targeted treatments to ensure physical and mental healing. The team works with individuals and their families to create sustainable recovery plans.
How HARP Can Help Your Friend Stay Sober
HARP is much more than just another rehab facility. It is designed to be a support network that gives patients the tools to rebuild their lives through sustained recovery.
At HARP, your friend will undergo a personalized treatment plan that accounts for their physical and mental health requirements.
Your friend’s family can be actively involved in their recovery through HARP’s family therapy sessions. HARP also provides counselling and other resources to help your friend’s family rally around them and support them.
Moreover, HARP provides access to aftercare programs and support systems after your friend completes their initial treatment plan. This is one of the best ways to ensure your friend does not start drinking again.
With HARP, your friends can access expert care 24/7 without being isolated from their loved ones. At a HARP facility, they will build a lasting foundation for the rest of their alcohol-free life.
Your Quick Actions and HARP Can Make All the Difference
If your friend is suffering through withdrawal, get them the help they need immediately. This means getting medical intervention and suggesting HARP for intensive alcohol addiction treatment.
You and your friend (and their family) can make it through the crisis. Create a crisis plan with our alcohol addiction specialist today to get your friend the treatment and healing they need.
