Alcohol Withdrawal
Table of Contents
Statistics for Alcohol Addiction & Alcohol Withdrawal
According to recent surveys, one out of every eight individuals living in the United States is addicted to alcohol. Alcohol has become the most commonly abused substance throughout the country. Alcohol addiction is responsible for harming both society as a whole and individual families, causes extremely serious and fatal accidents and even kills. In spite of all of these dangers, alcohol has become an important part of numerous milestones common in modern society.
Alcohol is frequently served at weddings, graduations, parties and in homes all over the country. Alcohol is consumed by more than two-thirds of the population. Despite this, as much as 50 percent of all alcohol purchased and served in the country is consumed by approximately 10 percent of the population. This article covers the withdrawal symptoms, withdrawal timeline and the best options for finding relief from both alcohol addiction and the painful symptoms.
Alcohol and Driving
Alcohol impairment is extremely dangerous for all drivers, but especially commuters. Every day, 29 people in the United States lose their lives due to accidents involving drunk drivers. Crashes involving drunk drivers result in a massive cost of more than 44 million dollars every year. An additional 200 billion dollars is directly attributed to drunk driving crashes including:
- Medical expenses
- Insurance
- Lost wages
- EMS service costs
- Property damage
- Productivity
Any individual driving with a BAC or a blood alcohol level above the .08 legal limit can be charged substantial fees or sentenced to spend time in jail. These individuals can lose their driver’s licenses for several years. The result is even more lost productivity and wages. The average cost of drunk driving charges, jail time, insurance, attorney fees and impound is between $10,000 and $15,000. This places additional strain on anyone suffering from alcohol addiction.
The Dangers of Alcohol Abuse
An individual with an alcohol addiction lasting for a long period of time is especially dangerous. These people have an extremely difficult time quitting. Seizures and tremors are common. Those in recovery can develop delirium tremens. This condition is dangerous because the individual can lapse into a coma and die while attempting to get clean. Withdrawal symptoms begin approximately eight hours after the individual has finished their last drink, often lasting for several weeks.
Alcohol is involved in 40 percent of all arrests for violent crimes. Approximately 50 percent of all inmates sentenced to jail are struggling with alcohol addiction. Alcohol is also a factor in more than 40 percent of all suicide attempts in the United States every year. The prevalence of alcohol makes it incredibly dangerous for anyone with an inclination for substance abuse.
An individual with an alcohol addiction lasting for a long period of time is especially dangerous. These people have an extremely difficult time quitting. Seizures and tremors are common. Those in recovery can develop delirium tremens. This condition is dangerous because the individual can lapse into a coma and die while attempting to get clean. Withdrawal symptoms begin approximately eight hours after the individual has finished their last drink, often lasting for several weeks.
Alcohol is involved in 40 percent of all arrests for violent crimes. Approximately 50 percent of all inmates sentenced to jail are struggling with alcohol addiction. Alcohol is also a factor in more than 40 percent of all suicide attempts in the United States every year. The prevalence of alcohol makes it incredibly dangerous for anyone with an inclination for substance abuse.
Alcohol is different than illicit drugs purchased on the street. This is because a lot of effort is usually required to find a specific drug. By comparison, alcohol is easily obtainable. Due to the legality of alcohol, family and friends have much more difficulty recognizing the alcohol addiction of a loved one. There are specific signs often found with alcohol addiction including:
- Cravings for alcohol
- Irritability
- Financial issues
- Inability to do anything without consuming alcohol first
- Feelings of guilt
- Issues with the law such as car crashes and DUIs
- Drinking in secret or alone
- Injuries resulting from alcohol impairment
- Withdrawal symptoms including anxiety or sweating
- Relationship issues
- Drinking alcohol as soon as the individual wakes up in the morning
- Inability to control or stop alcohol consumption regardless of negative consequences
- Smelling of alcohol
Alcohol and Recovery
Alcohol addiction is extremely complicated for individuals in recovery. In order to maintain sobriety, the individual needs ongoing support and maintenance plans. This help is crucial for success. The withdrawal symptoms for long-term alcohol addiction and abuse can be very painful. Unfortunately, the symptoms of withdrawal can be fatal.
Encouragement and support from friends and families for their loved ones to receive help from trained professionals is critical. Anyone attempting to recover from an addiction to alcohol can have potentially dangerous medical complications. The symptoms of withdrawal can persist for weeks or even months.
The Timeline for Alcohol Withdrawal
The timeline for withdrawal consists of three different stages. The first stage starts as quickly as eight hours or less once the individual has consumed their last alcoholic drink. Stage two begins within 24 hours after the last drink is consumed and lasts for 72 hours. The final stage starts 72 hours after the individual has had their last drink. This stage is generally painful, intense, and when potentially fatal complications can occur.
Stage three lasts as long as seven days. This is when the symptoms will start to subside. If the individual has been abusing alcohol for a long period of time, or is experiencing comorid conditions due to complications resulting from alcohol addiction, the consequences can be lingering effects or permanent health issues or conditions. If the individual does not receive treatment from medical professionals, the symptoms of withdrawal can last for weeks after consuming the final drink.
Physical Symptoms Experienced During Alcohol Withdrawal
When the individual is in the first stage of withdrawal, they can experience nausea, stomach pains and insomnia. During the second stage, the symptoms can include changes in their heart rhythm, increased body temperature and high blood pressure. Individuals with suspected cardiovascular issues or cardiovascular problems must be monitored by medical professionals for any signs of a stroke or heart attack.
During the progression of the third withdrawal stage, individuals in recovery usually have a fever. There is also a potential for delirium tremens. This is a dangerous condition resulting in the individual developing a dangerous fever, seizures and tremors. In some instances, the individual slips into a coma, goes into respiratory arrest and does not survive.
There are potential issues regarding coordination and motor control for the long-term. There is even a possibility of hearing loss. If the individual experienced trauma, suffered from an injury or had an accident resulting from alcohol abuse, muscle and joint issues and arthritis can develop.
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Emotional and Psychological Issues Experienced During Withdrawal
Individuals suffering from alcohol withdrawal will experience hallucinations, agitation, anxiety and confusion. During the long-term, issues with regulating emotions and memory problems are possible. Even after the individual is recovered from active addiction, they will struggle with occasional cravings. In most cases, this is followed by a clinical depression episode.
Support and ongoing therapy from both the community and loved ones are essential for an individual with alcohol addiction to remain sober and deal with any long-term issues in a productive and positive way. If the individual does not receive any help, the risk of them harming themself or relapsing increases.
Is A Medical Detox Center Necessary For Alcohol Withdrawal or Can the Individual Quit Cold-Turkey?
Quitting alcohol without any medical supervision is not safe. This is especially true if the individual is suffering from long-term addiction. If the person stops cold-turkey, the symptoms of withdrawal can be significantly more intense or severe. A medical detox facility is necessary to safely taper off the amount of alcohol under the supervision of a doctor. The physician can also prescribe medications such as benzodiazepines to help the individual taper off alcohol use.
Which Measures are Safe for Alcohol Detox?
Individuals in recovery can safely taper off alcohol with the following methods.
- Anti-anxiety medication
- Sleep aids for the short-term only
- Benzodiazepines
- Mood stabilizers
- Small amounts of alcohol
Doctors in a medical detox center are on-call 24/7 to help with severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. If the individual experiences dangerous issues from a heart arrhythmia or delirium tremens, the physician is able to keep the individual safe by handling the issue quickly. Detoxing at home is not recommended because the individual does not receive the necessary supervision and medical assistance.
What is Not Safe During Alcohol Withdrawal & Detox
More alcohol or illegal drugs are not safe during alcohol detox. Attempting to detox at home without proper support or medical assistance is dangerous because potentially fatal conditions can be developed by the individual, injuries can result and there is a possibility of death.
Individuals in recovery have a high risk of having suicidal thoughts or attempting to commit suicide due to the development of severe depression. Family members do not have the experience or training to handle these complications. A professional support system must be in place for all recovering alcoholics to make certain they remain safe and achieve sobriety for life.
What is the Process to Withdraw From Alcohol?
The first step for any individual addicted to alcohol is to enter a medical detox facility. A physician will then monitor the individual for any health conditions. The individual is then assessed and receives treatment for any underlying mental health or physical issues. Replacement medications are used to enable the individual to detox safely. Withdrawal symptoms are often alleviated with the use of prescription medications.
Once the worst of the withdrawal symptoms have subsided, the individual starts to work with a therapist. This is when the person learns how to overcome the issues that led to their addiction to alcohol. The therapist develops coping mechanisms and plans to enable the individual to maintain sobriety once they leave the facility. The length of time the person needs to remain in the facility includes the following factors.
- The length of time the individual has been addicted
- The lifestyle of the individual
- If the person is also addicted to other drugs
- Any underlying mental health or physical conditions present
The above factors are used to determine the best types of therapies for each individual situation. Sometimes, only one-on-one therapy sessions are necessary. Other patients benefit from both family and group therapy. Patients at a rehab center are able to access different types of treatments to ensure their needs are met. Doctors and therapists are always on call 24/7.
Counselors are available to teach patients how to cope while living their best possible lives once treatment is completed and they leave the facility. One of the benefits of a rehab facility is the patients spend time with each other. This is advantageous since all of them are experiencing similar struggles. The patients offer understanding and support for everything they are feeling and experiencing. Rehab facilities are also equipped with both integrated and holistic treatment methods.
The treatments and progressive therapy were developed with the understanding the whole individual requires healing. Patients have a variety of therapies available, often including sports therapies, art therapies, relaxation therapies, yoga, and massage. These types of therapies have been shown to be effective for individuals with long-term alcohol addiction and those that have relapsed. Alcohol addiction is different for each individual because everyone is unique.
Sometimes, alcohol abuse is due to suffering resulting from different mental health conditions. Inpatient rehab centers and medical detox facilities are the most effective options available for treatment for individuals facing unique challenges. Some people are struggling because they are also addicted to other substances or drugs in addition to alcohol.
To maintain sobriety, it is critical these individuals have the support of their families while working with trained social workers, doctors and counselors. You should not hesitate to seek alcohol abuse treatment for your loved one. Talk to a licensed counselor available through medical detox centers. It is never easy to ask for help. You can be assured the admissions counselor will provide you with all of the help you need for the admissions process and discuss all of the treatment options.
Everything is confidential. The sooner your loved one receives the help they need, the sooner they can begin living a sober, well adjusted and fulfilling life. Learn more about Asana Recovery today.
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Alcohol addiction affects every aspect of life. A new life is just one phone call away. Contact Asana Recovery today.