How to Understand the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
Understanding the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal is challenging, whether you are the drinker or a loved one trying to be supportive through the process. Despite its legal status, alcohol can be a very addictive drug to those that are prone to abuse. Over time, the body reaches a state of alcohol dependency. When drinking alcohol ceases, withdrawal symptoms may occur. Not everyone experiences all of the symptoms, but anyone who drinks excessively for long periods of time and then stops abruptly will likely experience withdrawal of some sort. Withdrawal goes away with time; getting through it is the hardest part of overcoming alcohol dependency. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Understand that cleansing the body of alcohol is the first step to recovery. This will be difficult. As violent as the withdrawal may be, a simple drink can alleviate it instantly. This is why it's so hard for an alcoholic to stop. Make sure that no alcohol is available. Don't have it locked up somewhere. An alcoholic experiencing withdrawal symptoms will do anything to get that precious drink. Banish alcohol from the premises completely.
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Realize that every alcoholic responds to detoxification differently. A mild alcoholic may experience withdrawal for only a few hours, while a severe alcoholic may experience it for weeks or even months. Expect withdrawal to begin between five and eight hours after alcohol use is terminated.
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Be ready for psychological effects. Psychological withdrawal manifests in many ways. The drinker may seem disoriented and have trouble forming complete sentences and thoughts. The person may be intolerably irritable and get angry seemingly at random. The drinker might seem OK one minute and be out of control the next. Expect the drinker to be jumpy and start to shake uncontrollably.
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Expect physical symptoms as well. The drinker may have enlarged pupils, clammy skin and look pale. He may have horrific headaches and become nauseous. Sweating and rapid heartbeat is also common. In mild cases, these symptoms may last for several days, or even a few hours. In severe cases, this could only be the beginning.
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Be prepared for more serious symptoms if you are dealing with a severe drinker. Seizures are possible, as well as Delirium tremens, a state of severe disorientation and hallucinations. At this stage, the drinker may be belligerent. If you think the drinker is suffering from an alcohol withdrawal seizure, seek medical help immediately. Alcohol-related seizures can be fatal.
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Tips & Warnings
In severe cases, it may be wise to seek medical advice before undergoing the detox process. A rehab program may be more appropriate.
Be prepared for the alcoholic to beg, plead and fight for what they crave. It takes a tough person to deny it as the withdrawal causes the person to become more pitiful. Remember that what you are doing is for the person's long-term well-being and try to ignore the short-term effects.
References
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