Alcohol Detox Symptoms
Many who drink a lot experience alcohol withdrawal when they cut down or quit altogether. The symptoms can range from mild to extreme and may include sweating, tremors nausea and anxiety vomiting, or even seizures.
Medically supervised detox is recommended for those suffering from moderate to severe symptoms. This will ensure that symptoms don't escalate into seizures, high temperatures or DTs.
1. Headaches
Heavy drinkers are more likely to suffer headaches and migraines. The degree of the symptoms vary based on the length and severity of addiction to alcohol, other health factors as well as co-occurring mental disorders and the medications used for detox during detox.
The headaches associated with alcohol withdrawal typically begin within six hours of the last drink. This first phase can last for a few days, with symptoms peaking at around 48 hours after quitting drinking.
At New Horizon, our staff will assist you to manage withdrawal symptoms, including counseling on nutrition and fluid intake. The more you're hydrated during this time, the less likely you will experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
As you continue through the withdrawal process, your brain will begin to rebalance its normal neurochemical production. This can take one week or more. There are withdrawal symptoms that can occur when you return to your previous habits or increase the likelihood of drinking again. It is also possible for withdrawal symptoms to return after you've become accustomed to sobriety, in which the situation is known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). These withdrawal symptoms can last for up to a year, contingent on your level of alcohol addiction. They can be accompanied by anxiety, insomnia, and delayed reaction times. It can be hard to manage, but the benefits are much more than the negative effects.
2. Nausea
Depending on the severity of dependency on alcohol and how long you have been drinking heavily, you could feel different levels of nausea and vomiting in the course of detox. This is because alcohol has an effect on the stomach. When it's withdrawn your body can suffer withdrawal symptoms that affect the entire digestive system. This can be accompanied by diarrhea which can be uncomfortable and potentially dangerous if dehydrated.
If you stop drinking alcohol, your brain produces more glutamate and less GABA to compensate. This can lead to an imbalance in neurotransmitters which can make you feel anxious and jumpy. It can also cause hand tremors and make you crave alcohol. All of these symptoms are indicators of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. This is a medical condition that requires hospitalization.
Alcohol detox can be a painful and risky process, but it is the first step in recovery from an addiction to alcohol. Contact New Horizon to speak to an addiction counselor to determine whether your nausea and vomiting is related to alcohol consumption or if it may be due to an illness.
During the first 24 hours after alcohol withdrawal nausea and vomiting are typical. In this time 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 it is recommended to drink electrolytes or water to replenish your water. You can also take an over-the-counter medication for nausea, such as Kaopectate or Pepto Bismol, if necessary.
3. Vomiting
Alcohol can cause gastrointestinal issues, which manifest as nausea and vomit. This can occur as your body adjusts to not drinking alcohol and detoxifies. This can last for a few days and will need to be controlled with medication. It is important to drink plenty of fluids and keep your blood sugar levels in control so that you don't get dehydrated, which can cause the symptoms to get worse.
The symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol may also include seizures and hallucinations. These typically begin within 12 to 24 hours of your last drink and can cause you to see, hear or feel sensations that are not there. Seizures are a sign of a severe withdrawal from alcohol and can be fatal if medical intervention is not taken.
When you are experiencing withdrawal or detox from alcohol you'll need to be closely monitored by a medical professional. They will check for signs of fever, fast heart rate and dehydration to determine the severity of your withdrawal symptoms. They can prescribe medication to help ease your symptoms and prevent seizure when necessary.
Medical professionals will create a safe and comfortable environment for you during withdrawal treatment to limit the risk of seizures and other life-threatening symptoms. They can also help you learn how to manage your withdrawal symptoms and give you ways to prevent any relapse. Treatment and detoxification of alcohol will allow your brain's chemistry and alcohol to return to normal.
4. Diarrhea
During alcohol addiction, the body's digestive system may be affected and the intestines can be affected by a myriad of factors which can cause diarrhoea. This is a sign of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. It happens when people stop drinking alcohol or significantly reduce their consumption. Other withdrawal symptoms include nausea and vomiting.
Based on the severity of a person's condition, diarrhoea may last for up to a few weeks after having stopped drinking alcohol. This condition can be cured by drinking plenty of water or eating plenty of fiber, which will reduce the amount liquid in the colon.
Alcohol causes the stomach to produce more acid to aid digestion, and this can cause irritation to the intestinal tract. This issue is more likely to happen when you drink lots of alcohol due to the tannins found in the grapes used to make wine.
It is essential for those who are going through an alcohol detox to rest well and to drink fluids to stay hydrated. This will help reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms. Having access to medical care is also helpful in the case of complications, such as seizures, which can occur in the course of withdrawal.
After the first 24 hrs of detoxification from alcohol have been completed, the most severe withdrawal symptoms should have diminished. However, this does not mean that the detox is complete and there are many symptoms to endure, including migraine headaches.
5. Tremors
Although not as common as other signs of withdrawal from alcohol Tremors can be seen in some people who are detoxing. They're typically an indication of severe withdrawal and are more likely to occur in males. It is important to seek medical treatment immediately you begin to feel tremors. If left untreated, tremors may cause heart attacks and seizures.
Alcohol is a central nerve system depressant. It blocks excitatory brain chemicals. When you quit drinking the body's excitatory chemicals naturally become overexcited and can cause various withdrawal symptoms, including shaking. It is not recommended to stop drinking alcohol unless you have the guidance of a medical professional.
The severity of the withdrawal symptoms will depend on how much you drink as well as your body's tolerance levels. The mild symptoms usually begin around two hours after your last drink and may include anxiety, irritability, as well as sweating. These symptoms should peak in the next 48-hours and then begin to diminish. Severe withdrawal symptoms may include tremors, fever, hallucinations, and confusion. In extreme instances, these symptoms could be life-threatening, and can lead to aspiration pneumonia.
During the detoxification process in the alcohol detox, you will receive medication to treat withdrawal symptoms. Benzodiazepines, commonly known as benzos, are most popular and are used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms insomnia and other withdrawal-related symptoms. The most frequently prescribed benzos are chlordiazepoxide, also known as Valium and Liquidum. If you're experiencing withdrawal symptoms, get immediate treatment from a professional.
6. Insomnia
It can be hard to get a good night's sleep when you're not familiar with drinking it. However, you can beat insomnia and enjoy a great night's rest during your alcohol detox by following a few easy steps.
A good night's sleep is essential for maintaining your physical and mental health. Sleep deprivation can affect your ability to focus and feel relaxed, as well as be productive throughout the day. It can also impact your mood and make it difficult to enjoy your time in sobriety.
Sleep issues are common among recovering alcoholics. Sleep problems are a major reason for relapse in the early stages. Sleep problems can last for months or weeks despite withdrawal symptoms such as shaking nausea, sweating, and shaking tend to diminish with time.
Insomnia and withdrawal from alcohol isn't just a source of frustration, but it can result in a myriad of other symptoms like anxiety and irritability. This is why it's crucial to treat this symptom using an alcohol detox program that is medically supervised.
Fortunately, a lot of symptoms that lead to insomnia during alcohol detox can be treated with a medication called 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 your detox because it doesn't mix with alcohol. The sleep aid can help you get better sleep and increase your overall quality of life during your alcohol detox.