Alcohol addiction impacts millions of people worldwide—nearly half of those who drink excessively are at risk of developing dangerous alcohol withdrawal symptoms when they stop.
Withdrawal symptoms can be quite uncomfortable and can begin a few hours after your last drink or may take a few days to appear, which can persist for several weeks.
In this blog post, we explore some of the most common alcohol detox symptoms and how we can manage them safely and effectively.
What Is Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome?
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS), commonly known as alcohol withdrawal, refers to a collection of signs and symptoms that generally manifest in individuals with alcohol dependence within six to 24 hours following their last consumption of alcohol. This syndrome can arise unintentionally due to enforced abstinence resulting from illness or injury, or it may occur intentionally when an individual chooses to cease drinking due to an alcohol-related health issue or as a step towards achieving and maintaining sobriety in the process of detoxification.
AWS is characterized by a significant reduction or cessation of heavy drinking, accompanied by two or more symptoms that develop within hours to a few days. These symptoms include increased heart rate, hand tremors, insomnia, nausea or vomiting, temporary hallucinations, restlessness, anxiety, or seizures.
How Is Alcohol Withdrawal Diagnosed?
If your healthcare provider thinks you might be experiencing alcohol withdrawal, they will ask about your drinking habits and your recent alcohol consumption. They will also explore if you have had withdrawal symptoms before and will discuss any symptoms you are currently facing.
During the examination, they will check for other health issues that might be causing your symptoms. A series of clinical assessments will be done to determine if the symptoms you are experiencing are caused by alcohol withdrawal.
After this initial evaluation, your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam to assess any damage caused by alcohol to your vital organs and to look for possible complications like heart failure, coronary artery disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, nervous system issues, or infections.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
The majority of individuals undergoing alcohol withdrawal typically encounter only mild symptoms. Common mild symptoms may consist of anxiety, mood fluctuations, sleep disturbances, restlessness, gastrointestinal discomfort, headaches, fatigue, excessive sweating, reduced appetite, and dilated pupils. However, some might experience a more severe symptom which may include:
Alcohol Hallucinosis
People who have been drinking heavily for many years are at risk of developing alcoholic hallucinosis. These involve symptoms that can range from hallucinations and feelings of paranoia to losing touch with reality completely.
Those psychotic symptoms can happen for a few hours or even days and can start to look like schizophrenia, which may last for a long time. In some cases, ongoing alcoholic hallucinosis can cause brain damage, which makes them prone to developing long-lasting mental health issues.
Alcohol Withdrawal Seizure
People who drink heavily over time are at a higher risk of having seizures when they quit drinking abruptly. Seizures from withdrawal can start within a few hours or may take up to three days to occur. While alcohol itself doesn’t usually cause seizures, the removal of its suppressive effects during withdrawal can make your brain more prone to seizures.
Delirium Tremens
Delirium Tremens (DT) is a temporary and serious state of confusion that can occur when someone who is heavily dependent on alcohol suddenly stops drinking. It is marked by disorientation and confusion, along with vivid hallucinations, risk of seizures, and signs of increased nervous system activity. Although it happens in less than 5% of withdrawal cases, DTs can be life-threatening, with a mortality rate that may reach 10%.
These symptoms of withdrawal typically emerge within two to four days after the last consumption of alcohol but can sometimes take up to 10 days to appear. The symptoms can worsen quickly, making it crucial to get immediate medical help to avoid serious complications.
Timeline Of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
While an individual’s specific situation or unique circumstances influence their experiences during alcohol detoxification, the typical timeline for symptoms of alcohol withdrawal generally follows this progression:
Six to 12 Hours
The initial phase of withdrawal typically starts shortly after the final alcoholic beverage is consumed. Individuals often report a general sense of discomfort or a hangover-like feeling. This phase can rapidly escalate to symptoms such as headaches, perspiration, slight tremors, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, shaky hands, excessive sweating, and a strong urge to consume alcohol.
12 to 24 Hours
Withdrawal symptoms become increasingly apparent and intense within 12 to 24 hours following the last alcohol consumption. At this stage, individuals may encounter issues such as mood swings, dehydration, sleep problems, cognitive fog, and feelings of depression. Some may also begin to experience auditory, visual, and tactile hallucinations during this period.
24 to 48 Hours
At this point, the symptoms become more severe and intense compared to earlier stages. This can also lead to serious issues like seizures. This is a critical time as the body reacts strongly to the lack of alcohol. Symptoms are at their worst during this period and can include seizures, shaking, restlessness, hallucinations, and Delirium Tremens.
For many trying to stop drinking, this stage is the hardest and often leads to relapse because the discomfort is so strong, and they know that drinking could ease their pain.
48 to 72 Hours
The symptoms are expected to reach their highest intensity and stabilize after 72 hours. During this phase, some individuals may continue to experience feelings of anxiety or depression. In certain instances, these symptoms may linger for several weeks or even months.
Who Are At Risk for Alcohol Withdrawal
More than half of individuals with a history of alcohol use disorder or alcohol abuse are prone to experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Typically, those who show withdrawal symptoms are daily drinkers who consume large quantities over several days.
Outlook For Alcohol Withdrawal
The long-term outlook for someone going through alcohol withdrawal largely relies on what they do after detox. Real recovery requires a serious commitment to a longer treatment period following detox.
While professional detox is an important first step, it is not sufficient by itself to completely change the harmful behaviours linked to addiction. Essentially, a person who has completed detox should dedicate significant time and effort to continued treatment for their condition.
Treatment for Alcohol Withdrawal
The management of alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be effectively and safely done by using appropriate interventions as recommended by professionals. Generally, these include:
General Care
People with severe withdrawal may require intravenous fluids due to significant fluid loss from hyperthermia, sweating, and vomiting. Healthcare providers also recommend eating food with good amounts of essential vitamins and minerals food to improve nutritional imbalances.
Medical Detox
People experiencing moderate to severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms might need to stay in a treatment facility or a detox centre. This helps ensure they are closely monitored and can receive quick treatment for potential hallucinations, seizures, and delirium tremens.
Medication Regimens
To reduce withdrawal symptoms or avoid serious health issues from severe alcohol withdrawal, healthcare providers might prescribe benzodiazepines. These medications can help prevent withdrawal reactions from becoming more serious. Other types of medications may also be used to help stabilize patients or provide support, such as anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, and beta-blockers.
Begin Your Alcohol Detox At Orchid
You may need help with alcohol use-related problems if you find it hard to control how much or how long you drink alcohol. If you or someone you know needs alcohol detox, it’s crucial to get help quickly.
At Orchid, we offer alcohol detox in a safe and comfortable environment. Our skilled healthcare professionals will evaluate your health, the severity of your alcohol addiction, and the likelihood of severe withdrawal. After these evaluations, we will support you through the detox process and provide any necessary treatments to ease your experience.
If you decide to get treatment, contact our staff so we can assist you in starting your recovery.
