Is There a Cure for Alcohol Withdrawal?
Make no mistake, alcohol withdrawal is uncomfortable. In addition to the intense cravings for alcohol, those abstaining from alcohol must also cope with the physical symptoms, which can be quite severe. For many people, withdrawal symptoms are a fear that contributes to continued alcohol use. Many people justify their alcohol use by reframing it as a way to keep negative symptoms at bay, rather than as the compulsive behavior that it is.
If you are one of these people, you should know that alcohol withdrawal, when undergone in a professional detox program, is completely manageable. And, this is not because there is one specific cure that the staff at these centers offer up to patients. Instead, a variety of interventions are used successfully to limit discomfort and to curb cravings.
If you would like to learn more, call 888-602-1971(Who Answers?). Representatives can walk you through the detoxification process and explain the structured, formal rehab program that follows. They can also speak with you about financing your stay in an alcohol addiction treatment program. It’s time to let go of your fears and take hold of your recovery.
There Is One True Cure for Alcohol Withdrawal
Agitation and nausea are common alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
You already know what it is: alcohol.
When you begin abusing alcohol, you train your body to rely upon it. Your body responds by readjusting the way that it functions to accommodate the presence of the alcohol. This is when you develop tolerance. That’s why you need to drink more to get the same effect; your body has figured out how to manage your previous amounts.
Your body, then, becomes so accustomed to functioning with alcohol present that it begins to need it in order for you to feel normal. This is alcohol dependence. People who are alcohol dependent typically experience unpleasant symptoms when they stop drinking. These are withdrawal symptoms and the only thing that brings them to a close immediately is alcohol.
However, you obviously invite a host of problems with continued alcohol use. So, rather than a quick fix, it’s best to get the comprehensive assistance of the staff at a rehab center, who can ease you through this period.
Withdrawal Symptoms
If you are still unsure about whether or not the symptoms you are experiencing when you stop drinking are true withdrawal, compare them to the following symptoms of alcohol withdrawal identified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- Greatly increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure
- Trouble sleeping: intense dreaming, insomnia, nightmares
- Hallucinations (tactile, visual, and auditory)
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Impaired judgment and memory
- Increased sensitivity to tactile sensations, light, and sound
- Nausea and vomiting
- Paranoid or persecutory delusions
- Poor concentration
- Disorientation/delirium
- Grand mal seizures
These symptoms generally set in quickly and peak between 10 and 30 hours after the last drink. They should come to a close by 40 to 50 hours.
The most dangerous symptom of withdrawal is delirium tremens (DTs), which begins between 48 and 72 hours after drinking comes to an end. Though this condition only affects five percent of people experiencing withdrawal, it can be deadly, which is all the more reason to get professional help during withdrawal.
Management of Alcohol Withdrawal in a Professional Setting
Though there isn’t a cure that can be provided by a treatment program, they do employ a variety of methods that allow people to successfully work through withdrawal without returning to alcohol use.
Some patients only require a social detoxification program. Centers that utilize this approach provide room, board, and interpersonal support to those in withdrawal, as any inpatient program would. The primary difference is that these rehabs do not use medication; instead, patients rely on therapies and coaching.
However, there are people who experience such intense withdrawal symptoms that they require medication. Those with a history of extreme withdrawal and those experiencing moderate symptoms are often given medication immediately. The most commonly used medications are:
- Benzodiazepines
- Anticonvulsants
- Barbiturates
- Relapse prevention agents
- Beta blockers/alpha adrenergic agonists
- Antipsychotics
These medications are used to curb cravings and to avoid seizures and DTs.
To learn more about alcohol detoxification and the treatment methods used to alleviate your withdrawal symptoms, call 888-602-1971(Who Answers?). You don’t need to keep drinking in order to avoid the pain of withdrawal. Instead, you can rely on people with the training and experience to assist you in making a healthy, comfortable recovery.
