Alcohol Detox Symptoms
Many people who drink heavily experience withdrawal symptoms from alcohol when they reduce their intake or stop altogether. The symptoms can range from mild to extreme and include tremors and sweating nausea, anxiety vomiting, and seizures.
If you suffer from moderate to severe symptoms, a medically monitored detoxification is advised. This will ensure that symptoms do not escalate into seizures, high temperatures or DTs.
1. Headaches
Headaches and migraines are two of the most common withdrawal symptoms for heavy drinkers. The severity of withdrawal symptoms can vary based upon the length and severity of the alcohol addiction as well as co-occurring disorders and the detox medication used during withdrawal.
Alcohol withdrawal headaches usually begin within six hours of your last drink. This first phase of withdrawal may last for a few days, with your symptoms peaking at approximately 48 hours after having have stopped drinking.
Our staff at New Horizon will help you manage these symptoms, including nutrition and fluid intake. The more you're hydrated during this period, the less likely you will suffer withdrawal symptoms like nausea and vomiting.
As you continue the withdrawal process, your brain will begin to restore normal neurochemical production. This could take one week or more. But, you could experience a return of your old habits, and an increased risk of relapse and trigger these withdrawal symptoms. It is also possible for withdrawal symptoms to recur after you've become accustomed to sobriety. In this case they are known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). These withdrawal symptoms may last for up to a full year, depending on the degree of alcoholism. They can be accompanied by anxiety, trouble sleeping and sluggish reflexes. This can be a difficult thing to bear, but the benefits of a clean lifestyle far outweigh the negative effects.
2. Nausea
Depending on the level of dependency on alcohol and how long you have been drinking heavily, you might feel different levels of nausea and vomiting during your detox. This is because alcohol has an effect on the stomach. When it's withdrawn your body can experience withdrawal symptoms that affect your entire digestive system. This is usually associated with diarrhea which can be extremely uncomfortable and dangerous if you're dehydrated.
When home detox alcohol stop drinking, your brain produces less GABA and more glutamate in order to make up for the loss. This can cause an imbalance in neurotransmitters, which can make you feel anxious and jittery. It can also trigger shaking, particularly in your hands, and it could cause you to crave alcohol. These are all signs of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which is a medical emergency that requires treatment under medical supervision in a hospital.
Alcohol detox can be a painful and dangerous process, but it is the first step towards recovery from an addiction to alcohol. Contact New Horizon to speak to an addiction counselor to determine whether your nausea or vomiting is due to drinking alcohol or might be due to medical conditions.
Nausea and vomiting are often experienced in the first 24 hours following withdrawal from alcohol. During this period it is recommended to avoid the consumption of greasy and fatty foods, and stick to the BRAT (bananas with toast, applesauce, rice and toast) diet. If your nausea is extreme you should drink electrolytes or water to hydrate. If you are required, you can also take anti-nausea medications like Pepto Bismol or Kaopectate.
3. Vomiting
Alcohol can trigger digestive issues, and they can manifest as nausea and vomit. This can happen when your body detoxes and adjusts to not drinking alcohol. It can last for a time and will need to be controlled by medication. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and blood sugar spikes, which can worsen symptoms.
Hallucinations and seizures are also possible symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. The symptoms typically begin 12 to 24 hours following the last drink. You might be able to experience, feel or even see things that you're not actually experiencing. Seizures are an indication of severe alcohol withdrawal and could be life-threatening if not treated with medical intervention.
In the course of detox and withdrawal from alcohol it is necessary to be closely monitored by a physician. They will look for signs of fever, fast heart rate and dehydration to evaluate the severity of your alcohol withdrawal symptoms. They may prescribe medication to ease your symptoms and prevent seizures should they be required.
Medical professionals will create an environment that is secure and comfortable for you during alcohol withdrawal treatment to minimize the chance of having seizures and other life-threatening signs. They can help you manage your withdrawal symptoms, and give you strategies to avoid relapse. Treatment and detoxification of alcohol helps your brain's chemistry as well as alcohol to be restored to normal.
4. Diarrhea
Alcohol addiction can cause disruption to the digestive system and cause diarrhoea. This is a symptom of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. It happens when people stop drinking alcohol or significantly reduce their consumption. Other withdrawal symptoms include nausea, tremors, and vomiting.
Based on the severity of the person's condition, diarrhoea may last for a few days or even weeks after abstaining from alcohol. This symptom can be alleviated by drinking a lot water or eating a lot of fibre, which can reduce the amount of liquid in the colon.
Alcohol can cause the stomach to produce more acid to aid digestion. This can also cause irritation to your intestinal tract. Consuming a lot of wine can be more prone to the problem due to the high levels of tannins in the grapes that make it.
It is crucial for anyone going through an alcohol detox to rest well and to drink fluids to stay hydrated. This can reduce the duration and severity of withdrawal symptoms. Being able to access medical assistance is also beneficial in the case of complications, such as seizures that can occur during alcohol withdrawal.
Once the first 24 hours of detoxification from alcohol have been completed, the most severe withdrawal symptoms should be less severe. This doesn't mean the detox is complete. There are many symptoms, including migraine headaches that are to be endured.
5. Tremors
Tremors aren't as prevalent as other withdrawal signs, but they can still occur. They're typically an indication of severe withdrawal and tend to occur more frequently in males. If you experience tremors as part of your detox, it's important to seek medical help immediately. This is because if they're left untreated, they can result in seizures and heart attacks.
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, which means it blocks the excitatory chemicals that are present in the brain. When you stop drinking the excitatory chemicals within your body become overexcited. This can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as tremors. You should never try to stop drinking alcohol without the supervision of a physician.
The severity of the withdrawal symptoms depend on the amount you drink and your body's tolerance level. Mild withdrawal symptoms usually start within two hours after having completed drinking. They can include anxiety, irritability and sweating. The symptoms will peak within 48 hours and will be decreasing afterward. The withdrawal symptoms that are severe can include fever, tremors confusion, and hallucinations. In extreme cases, these symptoms can be life-threatening and lead to aspiration pneumonia.
During the process of detoxing from alcohol, you'll receive medications to treat withdrawal symptoms. Benzodiazepines (also called benzos) are the most popular and are used to treat muscle spasms and anxiety, insomnia, and other withdrawal symptoms. The most frequently prescribed benzos are chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and diazepam (Valium). If you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, you should seek immediate treatment from a professional.
6. Insomnia
If you're used to relying on alcohol to sleep, it can be difficult to get restful nights without it. However, you can overcome insomnia and get a good night's sleep during the alcohol detox by following some simple guidelines.
Sleeping well is essential for maintaining your mental and physical health. Insomnia can hinder your ability to concentrate and be calm, as well as perform normally throughout the daytime. It can also affect your mood, making it difficult to maintain your sobriety.
Sleep problems are common among recovering alcoholics. In fact, they are a major reason for people to relapse in the initial stages of recovery. Sleep problems can last for weeks or months, even though withdrawal symptoms such as shaking nausea, sweating, and shaking tend to ease with time.
Insomnia and withdrawal from alcohol isn't just frustrating and can lead to a variety of other symptoms, including anxiety and irritability. This is why it's important to treat this condition with an alcohol detox program that is medically supervised.
Fortunately, a lot of symptoms that can cause insomnia during detoxification can be addressed by taking a medication known as Ambien. This is a widely-used sleeping pill that's part of many detox programs that use medical assistance. It is safe to use during detox as it doesn't mix with alcohol. The sleep aid can improve your overall quality of life and ensure a good night's rest throughout your alcohol detox.