Alcohol withdrawal symptoms vary in severity depending on how much and how long the individual has been abusing alcohol. Symptoms typically start within 6 to 12 hours of the last drink and peak between 24 and 48 hours after the last drink. Withdrawal can be very uncomfortable, but it can be life-threatening without proper medical attention. These are some of the alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Tremors
It is the most obvious of alcohol withdrawal. The hands may shake, and the person may have difficulty holding on to objects. It happens because the alcohol has caused the body to adapt to its depressant effects, and when it is not present, the person is thrown into a state of withdrawal. The body is demanding alcohol in order to function normally.
Anxiety
Anxiety is characterized by a sense of dread, feeling restless, irritability, and difficulty sleeping. The person suffering from anxiety may feel like they have a heart attack or stroke and may even experience hallucinations or delusions. It can be extremely frightening for the person experiencing these symptoms and is usually a symptom of delirium tremens, which require immediate medical attention.
Insomnia
Many factors can cause insomnia, but alcohol withdrawal is one of the most common causes. The insomnia experienced in an alcohol withdrawal can be extremely severe and may require a doctor to prescribe sleeping pills. Alcohol interrupts sleep cycles and creates many problems for people trying to get restful sleep. During this stage of withdrawal, the person suffering from insomnia will have trouble sleeping and will wake up many times throughout the night because of these restless feelings.
Sweating
A person suffering from alcohol withdrawal may begin to have an increased respiration and perspiration rate and increased metabolism and deep breathing. These symptoms can create a feeling of being overheated, which causes sweating to occur in large amounts throughout the day. The body is demanding that the alcohol be used again, and the person cannot satisfy these demands. Perspiring during withdrawal can cause a person to become dehydrated, leading to dizziness and even fainting. Individuals suffering from alcohol withdrawal must drink plenty of water to help prevent dehydration.
Weight Loss
During this stage of the illness, many individuals begin to lose weight due to a weakened metabolism caused by their bodies trying desperately to get rid of the alcohol they have been addicted to. When a person doesn’t eat a healthy diet, the body will begin to use its fat cells to free up the energy being used, which causes a weight loss of several pounds. Those suffering from alcohol withdrawal may feel very weak and have a hard time getting off the floor if they fall.
Seizures
These are the most common alcohol withdrawal signs and may occur as long as six months after the last drink. Seizures are extremely uncomfortable and can damage the person’s muscles, bones, or brain. It is also one of the most dangerous symptoms to experience during withdrawal because there is a possibility of harming oneself while having these convulsive seizures.
Nausea And Vomiting
During alcohol withdrawal, the body can begin to vomit repeatedly without any warning. The person feels this pain in their stomach as it turns within themselves and attempts to eliminate the poison that has been damaging their system for so long. It may result in dehydration if the person does not receive help since vomiting causes a loss of liquids and nutrients needed by the body. The stomach acid of the person experiencing these symptoms can also cause damage to their mouth and throat if they vomit on themselves.
Diarrhea
It is another form of vomiting during alcohol withdrawal. The person suffering from alcohol withdrawal will begin to have a severe case of diarrheal illness. Diarrhea is not normally dangerous, but it can result in dehydration, and it can be very uncomfortable for the person suffering from these symptoms if not treated correctly. The body is trying to get rid of the poison in the person’s body and will do anything it can to eliminate the problem. In conclusion, there are cases in which a person may experience alcohol withdrawal at a much later period in their life after quitting drinking. Still, these symptoms are not as intense as those experienced by an alcoholic who has detoxed from alcohol. Recovering addicts need to seek treatment from a medical professional to start the alcohol detox safely and comfortably. Rehab centers provide therapy and medical care to ensure the patients are comfortable and able to recover from their addiction fully. To get help managing the withdrawal symptoms of Alcohol abuse, call 833-497-3812.