Alcohol Detox Symptoms
When people stop drinking or cut down on their alcohol intake, they often experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms may vary from mild to extreme and may include sweating, tremors nausea, anxiety vomiting, or even seizures.
For those with moderate to severe symptoms, medically-supervised detoxification is advised. This will ensure that the symptoms don't escalate into seizures high fevers, seizures or DTs.
1. Headaches
Heavy drinkers are more likely to suffer migraines and headaches. The severity of withdrawal symptoms can vary based on the duration and severity of alcohol dependence as well as co-occurring disorders and detox medications that are used during detox.
The headaches associated with alcohol withdrawal typically begin within six hours after your last drink. The initial phase may last for a few days, with symptoms peaking around 48 hours after you have stopped drinking.
At New Horizon, our staff will help you manage these withdrawal symptoms, and will provide advice on the intake of fluids and nutrition. The more you're hydrated during this time, the less likely you are to suffer withdrawal symptoms like nausea and vomiting.
As you go through the withdrawal process, your brain will begin to restore normal neurochemical production. This could take up to a week or more. However, you can be faced with a return to your old habits and an increased chance of relapse which could trigger withdrawal symptoms. You might also experience withdrawal symptoms after you have established a routine of sobriety. In this case they are referred to as post-acute withdrawl syndrome (PAWS). These withdrawal symptoms can last from a few days to a year, contingent on your level of alcohol addiction. These symptoms may include anxiety, sleep issues and delayed reactions. It can be difficult to deal with, but the benefits are much higher than the negative consequences.
2. Nausea
There is a possibility of experiencing nausea and vomiting at different levels based on your level of alcohol dependence and how long you've been drinking. Alcohol can exert a strong influence on the stomach and when it is removed, your body may experience withdrawal symptoms that affect your entire digestive tract. This can be accompanied by diarrhea, which can be uncomfortable and potentially dangerous in the event of dehydration.
If you stop drinking, your brain produces less GABA and more glutamate in order for a way to make up for the loss. This can result in an imbalance in neurotransmitters within your brain, causing you to feel nervous and jumpy. This can cause tremors, especially in your hands, and can cause you to crave alcohol. These are all symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome which is a medical emergency that must be treated under medical supervision in a hospital.
Alcohol detox is a painful, dangerous process. However, it is necessary to recover from addiction to alcohol. If you're experiencing nausea or vomiting, you should contact New Horizon and talk to an addiction counselor who will assist you in determining if the symptoms are related to your use of alcohol or if they could be caused by a medical condition.
During the first 24 hours following alcohol withdrawal, nausea and vomiting are common. During this period, avoid eating foods that are greasy or fat and stick to the BRAT diet (bananas rice, applesauce, rice toast, etc.). If nausea becomes severe you can hydrate yourself with electrolyte or water drinks. If you need to, you may also take anti-nausea medicines such as Pepto Bismol or Kaopectate.
3. Vomiting
Alcohol can cause stomach problems that can manifest as nausea and vomiting. This may occur as your body adjusts to no longer drinking alcohol and detoxifies. It could last for a long time and could require control with medication. home detox alcohol is essential to drink plenty of fluids and keep your blood sugar levels in check so you do not experience dehydration, which can cause symptoms to become worse.
Hallucinations and seizures are also possible signs of withdrawal from alcohol. They usually begin within 12 to 24 hours of your last drink and can cause you to see, hear, or feel things that are not present. Seizures are a sign of a severe withdrawal from alcohol, and can be fatal without medical intervention.
You'll likely need to be monitored closely by a physician during withdrawal and detoxification. They will look for symptoms of fever, rapid heart rate, and dehydration to assess the severity of your alcohol withdrawal symptoms. They can prescribe medications to ease the pain of your symptoms and prevent seizures, if needed.
Medical professionals will create an environment that is safe and comfortable for you during alcohol withdrawal treatment to limit the possibility of seizures and other life-threatening symptoms. They can help you manage withdrawal symptoms and provide you with the strategies to avoid the relapse. Alcohol detox and treatment allows your brain chemistry and alcohol to be restored to normal.
4. Diarrhea
In the course of addiction to alcohol the body's digestive system can become disrupted and the intestines are affected by a myriad of factors that can lead to diarrhoea. This is among the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome which occurs when people suddenly stop or drastically reduce their intake of alcohol beverages. Other withdrawal symptoms include nausea, tremors and vomiting.
Depending on the severity of the person's condition, diarrhoea can last several days or weeks after abstaining from alcohol. Drinking a lot of water or eating lots of fiber can help ease the symptoms, as it reduces the amount of liquid in the colon.
Alcohol can trigger the stomach to produce additional acid to aid digestion. It can also cause irritation to your intestinal tract. Consuming a lot of wine can be more prone to the problem due to the high levels of tannins in the grapes used to make it.
Drinking plenty of water is essential for those going through detox from alcohol. This can help to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms. It is also important to get medical attention in the event of any problems, such as seizures, which can occur during withdrawal from alcohol.
After the first 24 hours, withdrawal symptoms from alcohol will be less severe. This doesn't mean the detox process is over. There are many symptoms, including migraine headaches that are to be endured.
5. Tremors
Tremors are not as common as other alcohol withdrawal symptoms However, they can occur. They're typically an indication of severe withdrawal and are more likely to occur in males. If you experience tremors during your detox, you should to seek medical assistance as soon as possible. This is because if they're left untreated, they can result in seizures and heart attacks.
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant meaning that it suppresses the excitatory chemicals in the brain. When you stop drinking the excitatory chemicals that are in your body become overly excited. This can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking. It is not recommended to stop drinking alcohol without the supervision of a physician.
The severity of withdrawal symptoms varies on how much alcohol you have consumed and your body's tolerance. The mild withdrawal symptoms typically begin about two hours after you've finished drinking. They can be characterized by anxiety, irritability, and sweating. These symptoms will peak in the next 48 hours and will start to diminish after that. The withdrawal symptoms that are severe can include fever, tremors hallucinations, and confusion. These symptoms can be dangerous and could cause aspiration pneumonitis in extreme cases.
During the detoxification process in the alcohol detox, you will receive medication to combat withdrawal symptoms. Benzodiazepines (also known as benzos) are the most common and are prescribed for muscle spasms and anxiety, insomnia and other withdrawal symptoms. The most commonly prescribed benzos are chlordiazepoxide. It is also referred to as Valium and Liquidum. If you're experiencing withdrawal symptoms, contact a professional immediately for a safe and effective treatment.
6. Insomnia
It can be difficult to sleep well with no alcohol if you're familiar with it. You can beat insomnia during detoxification and sleep well by implementing a few simple methods.
A good night's sleep is vital for your physical and mental well-being. Sleep deprivation can hinder your ability to focus and feel relaxed, as well as function normal throughout the day. It can also affect your mood and make it difficult to enjoy your time in sobriety.
Sleep problems are common in recovering alcohol addicts. In fact, they are a major reason for people to relapse in the early stages of recovery. While the shaking, sweating and nausea that come with withdrawal tend to disappear as time passes, sleep issues can linger for weeks or even months.
Sleepiness is a typical sign of withdrawal from alcohol. It can cause anxiety, irritability and other symptoms. This is why it's crucial to treat this symptom with a medical detox program.
Fortunately, a lot of symptoms that lead to insomnia during detoxification from alcohol can be controlled by taking a drug called Ambien. This sleeping pill is included in a variety of detox programs that offer medical assistance. The drug is safe to use during detox as it does not mix with alcohol. The sleep aid will promote better sleep and improve your overall level of health during alcohol detox.
