Withdrawal Symptoms of Alcohol Addict – How To deal With Them?

 

Alcohol Addiction is a long-term deteriorating disorder related to uncontrollable drinking of alcohol.  One finds it hard to resist the intake of alcohol and finds it extremely difficult to control their negative emotions when they do not get it handy. 

If you are looking for the Best De-Addiction Centre in Patna then you should definitely visit Dr. Vivek Pratap Singh in Patna who is a renowned Neuropsychiatrist and has more than 10 years of expertise in this field and is one of the most respected psychiatrists.

Let us now understand the main topic of discussion, i.e., the withdrawal symptom associated with alcoholism.

What are the Symptoms That Occur When A Person Stops Drinking?

You may wonder what withdrawal symptoms are. Withdrawal symptoms of alcohol addiction are a group of symptoms that forms when someone with chronic alcohol addiction stops drinking all of a sudden. 

If a person has a regular habit of drinking alcohol at an uncontrollable rate, then their body slowly becomes dependent on it. 

And when a person stops drinking, withdrawal symptoms start taking form determined by how much alcohol they consumed, the body type, age, sex, and prevailing medical condition.

The following are the symptoms that occur when someone stops drinking:

·       Nausea

·        Vomiting

·       Increasing heart rate

·       Stress

·        Anxiety

·        Severe headache

·       Trouble sleeping

·       Nightmares

·       Too much sweating

Sometimes some patients face severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and they are called delirium tremens or DTs. Symptoms of DTs are:

●      Extreme trembling or shaking

●      High blood pressure

●      Hallucinations, leading to false seeing

●      Lack of interest/focus

●      Seizures

●      High body temperature

DTs can be serious and can cause serious harm including death. In some critical conditions, the brain faces difficulty in controlling breathing and circulation systems. 

Extreme changes in blood pressure and pulse rate may lead to a life-threatening stroke or heart attack. 

The withdrawal symptom associated with alcoholism is divided into three stages. They are as follows:

(i)              Stage-1: It starts in less than 6 hours and can stay up to 7 days

(ii)            Stage 2: It starts within the initial 2 days and can continue for a week

(iii)          Stage 3: It starts in the first two days and can last for 2-3 days.

The first stage has mild symptoms and can start within 6 hours of having the last drink. At first, the symptoms are uncomfortable but gentle. It includes:

(a)   Nausea

(b)   Shakes

(c)   Severe change in blood pressure level

(d)   Stress

(e)   Anxiety

(f)    Sleeplessness

Usually, we see that people recover from alcohol withdrawal post suffering from these symptoms and the duration of this stage can stay up to 7 days.

We will now briefly look at what are the characteristics of the second stage. The second stage has conditions of seizures and other critical signs. For the people who face this problem, the symptoms take place within the initial 2 days of the last drink. 

More than 5% of the people who do not take any form of treatment will experience symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and will enter this stage and get seizures. 

If one has not developed any critical symptoms following the 48 hours, then they may experience mild symptoms. Nevertheless, it is still likely that one can develop these symptoms later and will have to seek medical attention. 

The period of the second stage continues for 2-3 days after the last drink.

The third stage marks the possible beginning of Delirium tremens. Nearly 50% of the people who suffer from withdrawal seizures may end up with delirium tremens or DTs. People develop DTs between 48-72 hours after their last drink. 

These Days are a very sensitive and crucial time of the withdrawal stage. It is suggested to ask for care from medical experts during this point in time. The third stage of withdrawal symptoms associated with alcoholism can last from 48-72 hours but may continue for a week.

The fourth stage of the withdrawal has post-acute symptoms. People in this stage may experience symptoms for a longer period post their last drink. 

It is known as Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS). The symptoms include insomnia and constant mood changes. The stage can last from 6 months to 2 years.

Can Withdrawal Symptoms Of Alcohol Be Life-Threatening?

The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be deadly, particularly when one tries to do it on their own. Though it is extremely rare, the conditions related to alcohol withdrawal mentioned below can be fatal:

·       Audio and visual hallucinations

·       Illusion

·       Extreme mood swings

·       Sweating

·       Fever

·       Seizures

·       Loss of consciousness

·       Anxiety

Conclusion

It is possible to fight the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal with the right medical attention, care, and treatment. As we all know getting the right treatment on time can save a lot of lives and this is no exception. 

An expert in this field can tell whether the patient needs to be hospitalised or can avail of the treatment from home. And we highly recommend you to visit Dr. Vivek Pratap Singh who is a true expert and specialist in this field. His Rehabilitation Centre In Patna treats many neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and Alzheimer.  

If you want to get your treatment with all the love, affection, compassion and that too at an affordable rate then Dr. Vivek Pratap Singh is the best choice for you as he is known as the best psychiatrist in Patna. In this condition, a person needs the utmost love, care, and support from the close ones.