Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms.

If you or someone close has built a dependence upon alcohol it will be taking a serious toll both physically and mentally. There is also a strong possibility that seeking help is being delayed due to concerns about alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal will not be a pleasant period of your life. It is something that must be faced and overcome to ensure your life becomes far more pleasant and manageable.

Symptoms you should not shy away from:

Those who find that a drink is required to kick-start their day, or those who cannot get through a day without alcohol need to face up to the fact. Their dependence upon alcohol has to be confronted.

The obvious solution to the problem is to quit all alcohol. This is far easier said than achieved because you will already be aware that unpleasant feelings and thoughts in the form of withdrawal symptoms must be faced.

While there is no denying that initial withdrawal from alcohol will be uncomfortable. It is important to understand that with will-power and self-determination it is eminently achievable.

Withdrawal timeline:

Because everyone is different it should be expected that the alcohol withdrawal symptoms will vary for each individual. Other things that also need to be factored in are the physical and mental health of the person concerned. How long they have been dependent upon alcohol and their daily intake up to the point of withdrawal.

Any long-term drinkers with serious problems should ensure that a supervised withdrawal procedure is undertaken with professional rehab assistance available as necessary.

Onset of symptoms: Mild withdrawal symptoms begin as quickly as 6 hours from the last alcoholic drink. These can include:
Anxiety – It is completely understandable that a person’s anxiety levels will be raised due to thoughts of what is to come.
Shaking – Various parts of the body will shake during withdrawal and it is usually the hands that start first.
Headache – This can either be a constant dull headache or one that seems to increase in intensity
Nauseous feelings – Many withdrawing feel nauseous and it is not uncommon for this to be followed by vomiting.
Sleeping problems – Insomnia is common and those who do sleep often have a troubled rest.
Sweating – Even when room temperature is normal those going through withdrawal will suffer from bouts of sweating.
Symptoms intensify: Between 24-72 hours after the last drink. Blood pressure and body temperature will rise and an unusual heart rate can be experienced.
Final stages – Within 72 hours it is common to hallucinate, feel feverish and some have seizures of varying strength.
Decreasing symptoms – In the vast majority of cases all symptoms tend to decrease within 5 to 7 days.

Withdrawal is not the complete cure:

Once withdrawal is over a person should have arranged to start a period of rehabilitation either as an outpatient or by spending time at an inpatient rehabilitation establishment.

An alcohol rehab program will include treatment and counselling to help the person recovering understand the root causes of their addiction and what steps need to be taken to maintain sobriety.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Alcohol Rehabilitation Assessment.