Alcohol Detox Symptoms
When people stop drinking or cut down on their alcohol intake they are often confronted with alcohol withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can vary from mild to extreme and include tremors and sweating, anxiety and nausea, vomiting, and even seizures.
For those with moderate to severe symptoms, a medically monitored detoxification is advised. This will help to ensure that symptoms do not become severe enough to cause seizures, high temperatures or DTs.
1. Headaches
Heavy drinkers are more likely to suffer migraines and headaches. The severity of withdrawal symptoms can differ based upon the length and severity of alcohol dependence, co-occurring disorders, as well as detox medications that are used during detox.
Alcohol withdrawal headaches usually begin within six hours after your last drink. The initial phase may last a few days with symptoms peaking around 48 hours after quitting drinking.
Our staff at New Horizon will help you manage these symptoms that include nutrition and fluid intake. The more you're hydrated during this time and the less likely you'll experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
As you continue the withdrawal process, your brain will begin to return to normal neurochemical production. This can take a week or longer. However, you can experience a return of your old habits and an increased chance of relapse and trigger these withdrawal symptoms. You might also experience withdrawal symptoms once you've become accustomed to sobriety. In this case, they are called post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). These withdrawal symptoms may last for a full year, depending on the severity of alcoholism. They may include anxiety, insomnia and delayed reaction times. It can be hard to manage, but the benefits are greater than these negative effects.
2. Nausea
Based on the degree of alcohol dependency and how long you have been drinking heavily, you might experience varying levels of nausea and vomiting during your detox. Alcohol can have a significant impact on the stomach, and when it is withdrawn the body can experience withdrawal symptoms that affect your entire digestive tract. It is usually accompanied by diarrhea, which can be uncomfortable and potentially dangerous when dehydrated.
If you stop drinking, your brain produces less GABA and more glutamate to in order to make up for the loss. This can cause an imbalance in neurotransmitters which can cause you to feel anxious and jumpy. It can also cause the sensation of tremors, particularly in your hands, and could cause you to want to drink. These are all signs of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which is a medical emergency that must be treated under medical supervision in a hospital setting.
Alcohol detox can be a painful and risky process, but it is the first step towards recovery from addiction to alcohol. If you're experiencing nausea or vomiting, you should contact New Horizon and talk to an addiction counselor who can assist you in determining if the symptoms are related to your alcohol use or if they may be caused by another medical condition.
Nausea and vomiting are the most frequently experienced within the first 24 hours following withdrawal from alcohol. During this time, you should avoid eating greasy or fatty foods and adhere to the BRAT diet (bananas rice, applesauce, rice toast, etc.). If your nausea is severe, you should drink electrolyte or water to hydrate. You can also buy over-the-counter anti-nausea medication like Kaopectate or Pepto Bismol in the event of a need.
3. Vomiting
Alcohol can cause gastrointestinal problems that can manifest as vomiting and nausea. This could happen when your body detoxes and adjusts to drinking alcohol. This could last for some time and could need to be controlled by medication. It is important to drink plenty of fluids and keep your blood sugar levels in check so you do not experience dehydration, which can cause symptoms to become worse.
The signs of withdrawal from alcohol can also include hallucinations and seizures. These symptoms usually begin 12 to 24 hours following the last drink. You might be able to see, hear or feel things that you're not actually experiencing. Seizures can be a sign of severe alcohol withdrawal and could be life-threatening without medical intervention.
You'll likely need to be closely monitored by a doctor during alcohol detox and withdrawal. They will be looking for signs of dehydration and fever, as well as signs of a rapid heartbeat to determine the severity of your withdrawal symptoms. They can prescribe medications to ease the pain of your symptoms and prevent seizures if they are needed.
Medical professionals will provide an environment that is safe and comfortable for you during alcohol withdrawal treatment to minimize the risk of seizures and other life-threatening signs. They can assist you with managing your withdrawal symptoms, and offer you the tools to prevent the relapse. Treatment and detoxification of alcohol helps your brain's chemistry as well as alcohol to return to normal.
4. Diarrhea
In the course of addiction to alcohol the body's digestive system may be disrupted and the intestines can be affected by a myriad of causes which can cause diarrhoea. This is a symptom of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. It happens when people stop drinking alcohol or drastically reduce their consumption. Other withdrawal symptoms include vomiting and nausea.
Diarrhoea could last for a few days or even weeks, based on the severity of a person's condition. This symptom can be alleviated by drinking a lot water or eating a lot of fiber, which will reduce the amount liquid in the colon.
Alcohol causes stomachs to produce more acid to aid digestion, and this can also irritate the intestinal tract. This problem is more likely to happen if you drink a lot of alcohol because of the tannins that are found in the grapes that are used to make wine.
Staying hydrated is important for those who are going through alcohol detox. This can reduce the severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms. Access to medical treatment can be beneficial in the case of complications, such as seizures that can happen when undergoing withdrawal from alcohol.
After the first 24 hours, the withdrawal symptoms caused by alcohol are less severe. However, this doesn't mean that the detox is over There are numerous symptoms to contend with such as migraine headaches.
5. Tremors
Although they're not as frequent as other signs of alcohol withdrawal Tremors can be seen in a few people during detox. They are usually an indication of severe withdrawal and tend to occur more frequently in males. It is important to seek medical treatment when you begin to notice tremors. This is because if left untreated, they can cause seizures and heart attacks.
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. It suppresses excitatory brain chemicals. When you stop drinking the excitatory chemicals within your body become overexcited. This can lead to withdrawal symptoms, such as tremors. You should never try to quit drinking alcohol without the supervision of a physician.
The severity of the withdrawal symptoms is determined by how much you drink and your body's tolerance level. The mild withdrawal symptoms typically begin two hours after you have completed drinking. They can be characterized by anxiety, irritability, and sweating. These symptoms will peak within 48 hours, and then diminish. The withdrawal symptoms that are severe can include tremors, fever confusion, and hallucinations. These symptoms can be hazardous and can cause aspiration pneumonitis in extreme instances.
During the process of detoxing from alcohol in the course of treatment, you'll receive medication to help treat withdrawal symptoms. Benzodiazepines are commonly referred to as benzos, are the most popular and are used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms, insomnia and other withdrawal-related symptoms. The most frequently prescribed benzos are chlordiazepoxide, which is also known as Valium and Liquidum. If you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, get immediate treatment from a medical professional.
6. Insomnia
It can be hard to get a good night's sleep without alcohol if you are used to it. However, you can overcome insomnia and enjoy a great night's rest during your alcohol detox by implementing a few simple practices.
Getting good quality sleep is vital to maintain your physical and mental health. Insomnia can hinder your ability to concentrate, feel calm and perform normally throughout the daytime. It can also affect your mood, making it difficult to enjoy sobriety.
Sleep issues are common among recovering alcoholics. Sleep problems are a major reason for relapses during the early stages. Sleep issues can last for months or weeks despite withdrawal symptoms like shaking nausea, sweating and shaking tend to ease as time passes.
Insomnia during alcohol withdrawal isn't just frustrating, but it can cause a range of other symptoms, including anxiety and irritability. This is why it is important to treat insomnia with a medical detox program.
Fortunately, many of the symptoms that lead to insomnia during alcohol detox can be addressed by taking a drug called Ambien. Ambien is a well-known sleeping pill that is included in numerous detox programs that are medically assisted. While the drug can help you fall asleep, it doesn't mix with alcohol, making it safe to use during your detox. The sleep aid will promote a better night's sleep and enhance your overall quality of life during alcohol detox.