Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

Moderate to heavy drinkers can also benefit from medical supervision in the acute withdrawal stage. For most people, alcohol withdrawal symptoms will begin sometime in the first eight hours after their final drink. A rare but very serious syndrome called delirium tremens can occur during alcohol withdrawal. Also known as DTs, an estimated 2% of people with alcohol use disorder and less than 1% of the general population experience them. And stopping drinking could make feelings of stress easier to deal with.

Complicated Withdrawal

Over time, drinking can also damage your frontal lobe, the part of the brain responsible for executive functions, like abstract reasoning, decision making, social behavior, and performance. Some of these effects, like a relaxed mood or lowered inhibitions, might show up quickly after just one drink. Others, like loss Alcohol Detox Side Effects – What Bad Can Happen? of consciousness or slurred speech, may develop after a few drinks. Since those effects don’t last long, you might not worry much about them, especially if you don’t drink often. Alcohol can cause both short-term effects, such as lowered inhibitions, and long-term effects, including a weakened immune system.

Your Body Starts to Detox

Research also notes that an intravenous administration of benzodiazepines can help decrease the risk of delirium tremens. Outpatient treatment providers are motivated to get sober and have responsibilities (such as family, work, or school). You can continue your daily routine without being at the center all day.

Strategies for Tapering Off Alcohol

• Inpatient is the most intensive and may provide you the best opportunity to obtain and maintain sobriety, due to its structure and serene environment.
• Unfortunately, while alcohol may make it seem like you are falling asleep quicker, it can also lead to worse sleep quality.
• They should also make sure you attend your counseling appointments and visit the doctor regularly for any routine blood tests that may be ordered.

This makes speech and coordination — think reaction time and balance — more difficult. That’s one major reason why you should never drive after drinking. Alcohol use can begin to take a toll on anyone’s physical and mental well-being over time.

Your doctor may be able to connect you with shelter programs for people recovering from alcohol addiction. Some people can be treated at home, but others may need supervised care in a hospital setting to avoid potentially dangerous complications such as seizures. People who have an addiction to alcohol or who drink heavily on a regular basis and are not able to gradually cut down are at high risk of AWS. Counseling is usually recommended for someone experiencing alcohol withdrawal. A counselor can advise on ways to cope with the mental and emotional aspects of withdrawal.

Physical Effects When You Stop Drinking

Outpatient Treatment

• Treatment centers that specialize in dual diagnosis are best equipped to handle such patients.
• Your doctor’s treatment goal is helping you stop drinking as quickly and safely as possible.
• But as you continue to drink, you become drowsy and have less control over your actions.
• Alcohol withdrawal that progresses to delirium tremens causes intense hallucinations, as well as severe confusion, disorientation, and agitation.
• Many private health insurance plans cover all or some of the cost of inpatient treatment for addiction and rehab.

Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal: Timeline and Signs of Danger

Risks and Complications

• People who experience severe withdrawal symptoms or DTs may require hospitalization or intensive care unit (ICU) treatment during alcohol.
• The third stage of alcohol withdrawal is typically characterized by fever, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, and seizures.
• However, the exact coverage will depend on your specific insurance plan.
• It also provides an overview of the alcohol withdrawal timeline process and when to discuss your drinking with your healthcare provider.
• One of the surprising side effects of giving up alcohol is that your skin may start to look better.