Alcohol Abuse Advice

How to Combat Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Deciding to kick an alcohol addiction is difficult to do. However, for many who have decided to make such a positive, yet drastic change in their lives there are possibly still more difficult times ahead. Though, not everyone who kicks alcohol habit will experience alcohol withdrawal. Those who are most prone to experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms are individuals, who have been drinking for a long time. Frequent drinkers or heavy drinkers are mostly prone. When these people stop drinking suddenly their bodies react in a number of ways, which are characterized as alcohol withdrawal.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms range from mild to severe and can be psychological and physical. Yet the levels of severity depend on the individual. Some of the most common mild to moderate psychological symptoms include, but are not limited to, anxiety, rapid emotional changes, fatigue, depression, shakiness, and nervousness. Severe psychological symptoms are delirium tremens, which are hallucinations and serious bouts of confusion, and agitation. Physical alcohol withdrawal symptoms can include severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, palpitations, dilated pupils, and abnormal or involuntary movements. More severe physical symptoms include fevers, convulsions, and tremors.

Unfortunately, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be so difficult to deal with that some individuals start to drink again just to ward off these symptoms. Often, starting a vicious cycle that some are never able to escape. The length of time that alcohol withdrawal symptoms last is usually specific to the individual. For some their symptoms last only a few days. Yet, others may experience these symptoms for a number of weeks, and in really severe cases months.

But, even with medical assistance treatment for alcohol withdrawal should not be treated lightly. Pharmacotherapy is the treatment of disease by using medicines. Common medications used to combat withdrawal are benzodiazepines, diazepam, propranolol, atenolol, and carbamazepine. It is important to note that these types of medications are used to combat the withdrawal symptoms that are at the mild or moderate level. Yet, from time to time these medications lose their effectiveness; so, patients increase dosages and begin to form a dependence on the prescription medicines used to help decrease their symptoms. Treatments for more severe symptoms like delirium tremens are usually given at a hospital or similar setting and under medical surveillance.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms should not be taken lightly, seek medical help in order to have a better chance of avoiding the cycle of dependence.