Alcohol Detox Symptoms
Many people who drink a lot experience withdrawal symptoms when they cut back or quit altogether. These symptoms can range from mild to extreme and can include tremors, sweating, nausea, anxiety, and seizures or even Delirium tremens.
A medically supervised detox is recommended for patients suffering from moderate to severe symptoms. This will ensure that the symptoms don't turn into seizures, high fevers or DTs.
1. Headaches
Headaches and migraines are one of the most common withdrawal symptoms in heavy drinkers. The severity of these symptoms can differ based on the duration and severity of alcohol addiction, other health factors and co-occurring mental illnesses, and the detox medication used during detox.
The headaches associated with alcohol withdrawal usually start within six hours after the last drink. This first phase of withdrawal can last for a few days, and the symptoms peaking approximately 48 hours after you stop drinking.
Our staff at New Horizon will help you manage these symptoms that include the intake of fluids and nutrition. The more hydrated that you are, the less likely it is that you will experience withdrawal symptoms like nausea and vomiting.
As detox alcohol continue through the withdrawal process your brain will gradually begin to rebalance its normal neurochemical production. This can take an entire week or more. It is possible to experience withdrawal symptoms in the event that you return to old habits or increase your risk of drinking again. You may also experience withdrawal symptoms once you've become accustomed to sobriety. In this instance, they are called post-acute withdrawl syndrome (PAWS). These withdrawal symptoms can last up to a year, based on your level of addiction to alcohol. They can be accompanied by anxiety, insomnia, and delayed reaction times. It can be difficult to endure however the benefits of a clean lifestyle far outweigh these negative effects.
2. Nausea
You might experience nausea and vomiting at different levels depending on your level of dependence on alcohol and how long you've been drinking. Alcohol can exert a strong influence on the stomach, and when it is taken away the body can experience withdrawal symptoms that affect the entire digestive tract. This is usually associated with diarrhea that can be very uncomfortable and dangerous if you're dehydrated.
When you stop drinking alcohol your brain produces more glutamate and less GABA to make up for the loss. This can result in an imbalance in neurotransmitters within your brain, which causes you to feel anxious and jittery. It can also trigger shaking, particularly in your hands, and it could cause you to want to drink. These are all symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome which is a medical emergency and requires treatment under medical supervision in a hospital.
Alcohol detox can be a difficult and dangerous process, but it is the first step in recovery from an addiction to alcohol. Contact home detox alcohol to speak to an addiction counselor to determine whether your nausea or vomiting is related to alcohol consumption or if it could be caused by an illness.
Nausea and vomiting are most frequently experienced within the first 24 hours of withdrawal from alcohol. During this period it is recommended to avoid fatty and greasy foods and adhere to the BRAT (bananas with toast, applesauce, rice and toast) diet. If nausea gets severe it is possible to refresh yourself with water or electrolyte drinks. If you are required, you can also take anti-nausea medications like Pepto Bismol or Kaopectate.
3. Vomiting
Alcohol can cause digestive issues, and they can manifest as vomiting and nausea. This can occur when your body adjusts to not drinking alcohol and detoxifies. This may last for a few days and may require a dose of medication. It is important to drink plenty of fluids and keep your blood sugar in control so that you don't experience dehydration, which can cause the symptoms to get worse.
The symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol may include hallucinations as well as seizures. These usually start 12 to 24 hours after your last drink and can make you see, hear or feel things that are not present. Seizures are an indication 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 it is necessary to be closely monitored by a doctor. They will look for symptoms of fever, rapid heart rate and dehydration to determine the severity of your alcohol withdrawal symptoms. They can prescribe medications to ease the discomfort of your symptoms and to prevent seizures, if needed.
Medical professionals will create a safe and comfortable environment for you during alcohol withdrawal treatment to limit the chance of having seizures and other life-threatening signs. They can assist you in managing your withdrawal symptoms, and give you strategies to avoid relapse. Alcohol detox and treatment helps your brain's chemistry as well as alcohol levels to be restored to normal.
4. Diarrhea
Alcohol addiction can disrupt the digestive system, causing diarrhoea. This is a sign of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. It occurs when people quit drinking alcohol or dramatically reduce their consumption. Other withdrawal symptoms include tremors, nausea and vomiting.
Diarrhoea can last for a few days or even weeks, depending on the severity of a person's condition. This symptom can be relieved by drinking plenty of water or eating plenty of fibre, which can decrease the amount of liquid that is in the colon.
Alcohol can trigger the stomach to produce extra acid to aid digestion. This can also irritate your intestines. If you drink a lot of wine, you can be more prone to causing this problem because of the high levels of tannins present in the grapes that make it.
It is essential for those who are going through an alcohol detox to take a good night's rest and drink fluids to stay hydrated. This can lessen the severity of withdrawal symptoms. Having access to medical care can be beneficial in the case of complications like seizures, which can occur when undergoing withdrawal from alcohol.
After the first 24 hrs of detoxification from alcohol have been completed, the most severe withdrawal symptoms should have diminished. This does not mean the detox is complete. There are still a variety of symptoms, such as migraine headaches, that you have to endure.
5. Tremors
Tremors aren't as prevalent as other withdrawal signs, but they can still occur. Tremors are usually a sign that withdrawal is severe and more prevalent in males. It is important to seek medical treatment when you begin to begin to feel tremors. If home detox from alcohol , tremors could cause heart attacks and seizures.
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 in your body become overly excited. This can cause withdrawal symptoms like shaking. It is not recommended to stop drinking alcohol without the supervision of a physician.
The severity of withdrawal symptoms will depend on the amount you drink and your body's tolerance levels. Mild symptoms typically start around two hours after the last drink, and can include anxiety, irritability, and sweating. These symptoms will peak in the next 48 hours, and then be decreasing afterward. The withdrawal symptoms that are severe can include tremors, fever, hallucinations, and confusion. These symptoms can be hazardous and even cause aspiration pneumonitis in extreme cases.
During the process of detoxing from alcohol you will be given medications to combat withdrawal symptoms. Benzodiazepines (also called benzos) are the most popular and are prescribed for anxiety and muscle spasms as well as insomnia, and other withdrawal-related symptoms. The most commonly prescribed benzos are chlordiazepoxide, also known as Valium and Liquidum. If you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, seek immediate treatment from a medical professional.
6. Insomnia
If you're used to using alcohol to sleep, it can be hard to sleep soundly without it. You can overcome insomnia during detoxification and get a good sleep by implementing a few simple practices.
A good night's sleep is essential to your mental and physical well-being. Sleep deprivation can affect your ability to focus, feel calm and perform normally throughout the day. It can also affect your mood and make it more difficult to take pleasure in your sobriety.
Sleep problems are common in recovering alcohol users. Sleep problems are the primary reason for relapses in the early stages. While the sweating, shaking and nausea that accompany withdrawal usually go away over time, sleep issues can last for weeks or even months.
Insomnia in the wake of alcohol withdrawal is not only frustrating but can also result in a myriad of other symptoms like anxiety and irritability. This is the reason it's so important to treat this condition with a medical detox program.
Fortunately, many of the symptoms that cause insomnia during detoxification can be addressed by taking a drug called Ambien. It's a popular sleeping pill that's part of many detox programs that use medical assistance. The drug is safe to use during detox as it doesn't mix with alcohol. The sleep aid will help you have better sleep and improve your overall level of health during alcohol detox.