How to Avoid Alcohol Withdrawal
Alcohol is classified as a depressant and is the most widely used substance in the world. Drinking alcohol during special occasions is normal. But when you lose control over your intake, that’s when you start having problems.
Navigation: What is Alcohol Use Disorder and Alcohol Dependence?, What is Alcohol Withdrawal?, How to Avoid Alcohol Withdrawal, What Causes Alcohol Withdrawal?, Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms, What is Medical Detox?, Seek Professional Help to Avoid Severe Withdrawal Symptoms, Rehab is Your Best Chance
A lot of people who suffer from alcohol use disorder are told by the people around them to just stop drinking. But we all know that’s not how it works. If it were that easy, there wouldn’t be alcoholics in need of addiction treatment.
Alcohol consumption is so common that it can be hard to tell who’s just having fun and who genuinely has a drinking problem. Sometimes it’s hard for people to quit drinking alcohol simply because they don’t know there’s a problem.
Even those who actually know about their condition and want to quit can’t simply do so. Anyone who has developed alcohol dependence will go through withdrawal, which is an uncomfortable and oftentimes painful process.
Here we will discuss everything you need to know about alcohol dependence, alcohol withdrawal, common withdrawal symptoms, and how to avoid alcohol withdrawal.
What is Alcohol Use Disorder and Alcohol Dependence?
Alcohol is classified as a depressant and is the most widely used substance in the world. Drinking alcohol during special occasions is normal. But when you lose control over your intake, that’s when you start having problems.
Alcohol use disorder (AUD), also known as alcohol addiction or alcoholism, is a medical condition that is characterized by the compulsive intake of alcohol despite experiencing the consequences. An addicted person will keep drinking despite suffering from adverse health effects. This will affect almost every aspect of their life, including their physical and mental health, their career, as well as their relationships with other people.
An addicted individual is not necessarily alcohol dependent, but these two conditions often co-occur. Alcohol dependence is a different condition entirely. It happens after prolonged exposure to alcohol. The person’s body adapts to the constant presence of alcohol and begins treating it as a normal part of the system. When the person stops drinking alcohol or reduces their intake, the body reacts negatively, causing withdrawal symptoms that range from mild to severe.
Quitting alcohol cold turkey is not a good idea because alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening. The signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can prove fatal. The person cannot function “normally” without alcohol. They need proper detox in order to recover safely.
People drink for a lot of different reasons. Some want to forget their problems, while others enjoy the euphoric sensation caused by alcohol. But when casual drinking turns into something uncontrollable, alcohol addiction and dependence can develop.
It is estimated that alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a common occurrence among individuals who have developed a physical dependence on alcohol. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, approximately 2 million people in the United States experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms each year. It is also estimated that around 10% of people who abuse alcohol will experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms at some point in their lives.
What is Alcohol Withdrawal?
Many people are afraid to quit drinking alcohol because they know severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms may develop. If you want to stop drinking but are hesitant to do so, you are not alone. It is important to understand this condition so you know what to expect and how to avoid alcohol withdrawal. Later on we will also talk about how to treat alcohol withdrawal. But first: what exactly does alcohol withdrawal mean?
Alcohol withdrawal refers to the symptoms that occur when someone who has been drinking heavily suddenly stops or reduces their alcohol intake.
This can occur after drinking daily for an extended period of time, and can range from mild to severe symptoms. Some of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening. These symptoms can appear within hours to several days after the last drink, and the severity of symptoms depends on the individual’s level of alcohol dependence.
It is recommended that people undergoing alcohol withdrawal seek medical supervision and support to ensure safe and effective detoxification.
How to Avoid Alcohol Withdrawal
The best way to avoid alcohol withdrawal is to gradually reduce the amount of alcohol you consume, with the guidance of a healthcare professional. This can help minimize withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, medications may be prescribed to manage more severe withdrawal symptoms.
If you have a history of severe withdrawal or have been drinking heavily for an extended period of time, quitting may cause a wide range of painful and uncomfortable symptoms. It is best to detox under the care of a medical professional. Treatments can greatly reduce the symptoms and severity of withdrawal.
At the same time, you can try other strategies to help yourself recover from withdrawal symptoms. First, make sure you stay hydrated. Withdrawal can cause you to become dehydrated, especially if you are experiencing vomiting. Drink water or sports drinks to keep your body hydrated. This will also combat feelings of nausea.
Refuel your body by eating a healthy diet. Stick with nutritious meals to give your body all the energy and nutrients it needs to recover properly.
If you are dealing with the physical feelings of withdrawal, you can try taking a cold shower to reduce sweating, hot flashes, and clammy skin. It can even help take your mind off of your withdrawal symptoms.
Try some moderate exercise. Don’t tackle any strenuous exercises for now. A moderately intense exercise can work wonders for your mind and body.
When in doubt, talk to your doctor. They can provide medications that will help keep your withdrawal symptoms under control. It also helps to have a supportive friend nearby as you go through withdrawal. They can offer emotional support while you recover.
These are just some of the strategies you can use to help yourself while going through treatment for alcohol withdrawal.
What Causes Alcohol Withdrawal?
Alcohol withdrawal normally occurs when a person who has been drinking heavily for an extended period suddenly stops or reduces their alcohol consumption.
There are certain factors that can contribute to the development of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, such as:
Dependence on alcohol: Chronic alcohol use changes the brain chemistry, leading to a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol.
Decrease in blood alcohol levels: When a person stops drinking, their blood alcohol levels drop, leading to physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal.
Interrupted neurotransmitter function: Alcohol affects the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, including GABA and glutamate. When alcohol consumption stops, the neurotransmitter function is disrupted, leading to withdrawal symptoms.
Genetics: Some people may be more prone to developing alcohol dependence and withdrawal symptoms based on their genetic makeup.
Psychological factors: People with a history of anxiety, depression, or stress may be more susceptible to alcohol withdrawal.
Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Alcohol withdrawal can cause a wide range of physical and mental health effects. The severity may vary from one person to another. But when it comes to alcohol withdrawal, there is also the possibility of a life-threatening withdrawal, so it’s best to look for professional treatment in a rehab facility that offers medical detox.
Common withdrawal symptoms include: tremors, shaking, anxiety, sweating, nervousness, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, headache, rapid heart rate, and high blood pressure.
Some people also experience symptoms like irritability, dizziness, palpitations, depression, mood swings, muscle aches or pain, and loss of appetite.
In some severe cases of alcohol withdrawal, people experience disorientation, confusion, memory loss, visual or auditory hallucinations, psychosis, and seizures. Alcohol withdrawal seizures are among the most dangerous side effects along with delirium tremens (DTs). Delirium tremens is a serious condition that can occur during alcohol withdrawal.
What is Medical Detox?
Medical detox is the process of medically supervised withdrawal from drugs or alcohol. It is a comprehensive program designed to help individuals overcome physical dependence on addictive substances and manage withdrawal symptoms safely and effectively.
During detox, the patient’s alcohol intake is gradually lowered. Their withdrawal symptoms and cravings are managed by medical professionals.
The goal of medical detox is to provide a safe and comfortable environment for individuals to detox and start the journey towards recovery. During medical detox, patients receive medical supervision, support, and treatment to help manage withdrawal symptoms and prevent serious complications. This can include medication-assisted treatment, counseling, and therapy, as well as monitoring and support throughout the detox process.
Another commonly used treatment for alcohol withdrawal is medication-assisted treatment or MAT.
Medication-assisted treatment is a form of treatment that involves the use of medications, such as naltrexone, Acamprosate, or disulfiram, in combination with behavioral therapy and support to help individuals overcome alcohol addiction.
The medications work by reducing cravings, reducing the pleasurable effects of alcohol, or causing unpleasant symptoms when alcohol is consumed, making it easier for individuals to avoid or reduce their alcohol consumption. The goal of MAT is to help individuals achieve and maintain sobriety, improve their quality of life, and prevent relapse.
Medical detox for alcohol is generally considered safe when done under the supervision of a licensed medical professional. This is the best way to safely deal with the potential side effects of alcohol withdrawal.
Seek Professional Help to Avoid Severe Withdrawal Symptoms
Seeking treatment for alcohol use disorder is important, not only because you want to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms but also because you need to eliminate the effects of addiction. Alcohol abuse can cause serious physical health problems such as liver damage, heart disease, and brain damage. Treatment can help prevent or reverse the damage.
Alcohol addiction also affects a person’s mental health. It can cause depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. If a person already has a co-occurring mental health condition, alcohol abuse can worsen it. They need dual diagnosis treatment to deal with the effects of alcoholism and mental illness at the same time.
Addiction can be difficult to overcome on your own. And although there is no cure for this chronic condition, it can be treated effectively.
Going to rehab and learning various coping mechanisms will help you stay safe, healthy, and sober. Addiction treatment is all about learning how to maintain your sobriety for the long term.
Going through treatment will help you regain your sobriety and learn how to avoid relapse. This will improve your health and even your relationships with other people. After all, addiction affects the people around you, including your friends, family, and co-workers. Treatment will help you repair these damaged relationships and start over.
Overall, addiction treatment will improve your quality of life. Look for a rehab facility near you today that specializes in alcohol addiction treatment.
Rehab is Your Best Chance
Treatment is an addicted individualʼs best option if they want to recover. Beating an addiction not only requires eliminating the physical dependence, but also addressing the behavioral factors that prevent them from wanting to get better. Simply quitting may not change the psychological aspect of addiction. Some people quit for a while, and then take drugs or alcohol again, only to overdose because they did not detox properly. Recovery involves changing the way the patient feels, thinks, and behaves.
