Understanding Alcohol Withdrawal
When a person consumes alcohol over a prolonged period of time, they generally experience mental, emotional and physical health problems when they suddenly stop. The kinds of symptoms they experience are known as alcohol withdrawal and they can range from mild to extremely serious. The reason this happens is because the individual has become dependent on alcohol, meaning they have uncontrollable cravings for more whenever they stop.
Signs of Alcohol Withdrawal
Everyone has an individual experience of alcohol addiction and the severity of withdrawal is determined by a number of factors. Someone who has mild alcohol use disorder is not likely to have as challenging a detox experience as a person who has been abusing alcohol for a number of years.
Mild withdrawal symptoms usually emerge from as little as six hours after an individual’s last drink and include:
- Anxiety
- Nausea, vomiting, headache
- Agitation
- Shaky hands
- Profuse sweating
More severe withdrawal symptoms may follow from around 12 to 24 hours after abstinence and range from hallucinations to seizures. Delirium Tremens or “the DTs” generally starts from 48-72 hours and includes extremely vivid hallucinations and delusional thinking.
Research shows that just 5% of people going through alcohol withdrawal experience Delirium Tremens. They are also likely to have:
- Confusion
- Rapid heart rate
- Elevated blood pressure
- Fever
- Chills and sweats
Although detox is a challenging process for many, it is always recommended to attend a specialist detox center for around-the-clock medical supervision. This is mainly because it is impossible to determine how severe a person’s alcohol withdrawal is likely to be. When patients are supervised in detox, they can be treated for more severe symptoms as and when they arise.
Casa Recovery: An Exclusive Detox and Rehab Center in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Everyone recovers from alcohol abuse in their own time and Casa Recovery is here to support you on your journey. If you are experiencing the signs of alcohol withdrawal, you are likely to need our help. We offer personalized addiction treatment in Orange County that meets your individual needs. Find out more about Casa Recovery addiction recovery treatment in Southern California by contacting us in confidence today.