Alcohol Detox Symptoms
When people stop drinking or reduce their alcohol intake they are often confronted with withdrawal symptoms from alcohol. The symptoms can range from mild to extreme and can include sweating, tremors, nausea, anxiety, and even seizures or Delirium in tremens.
A medically supervised detox is recommended for people suffering from moderate to severe symptoms. This will ensure that the symptoms don't turn into seizures, high fevers or DTs.
1. Headaches
Headaches and migraines are one of the most frequent withdrawal symptoms in heavy drinkers. The severity of these withdrawal symptoms can differ based upon the length and severity of the alcohol addiction, co-occurring disorders, and the detox medication used during withdrawal.
The headaches associated with alcohol withdrawal usually start within six hours of your last drink. The initial phase of withdrawal can last for a few days, with your symptoms peaking at around 48 hours after you stop 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 hydrated you are, the less likely you will experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
As you continue the withdrawal process, gradually your brain will begin to restore normal neurochemical production. This can be a week or more. You may experience withdrawal symptoms when you return to your old habits or increase the risk of drinking again. It's also possible for withdrawal symptoms to come back after you've gotten accustomed to sobriety, in this the situation is known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). These withdrawal symptoms can last up to a year, based on the severity of your alcohol dependence. These symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and delayed reactions. It can be hard to deal with, but the benefits are more than the negative effects.
2. home detox from alcohol may experience nausea and vomiting on different levels depending on your level of dependence on alcohol and how long you've been drinking. This is due to alcohol having an effect on the stomach, and once it's withdrawn your body can experience withdrawal symptoms that affect your entire digestive system. This is often accompanied with diarrhea that could be uncomfortable and even dangerous when dehydrated.
When you stop drinking alcohol your brain produces more glutamate and less GABA to compensate. This can result in an imbalance in neurotransmitters, which can cause you to feel nervous and jumpy. It can also trigger tremors, especially in your hands, and could cause you to crave alcohol. All of these symptoms are signs of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. This is a medical condition that requires hospital treatment.
Alcohol detox is a difficult and dangerous process. But, it is necessary to recover from alcohol dependence. Contact New Horizon to speak to an addiction counselor to determine whether your nausea and vomiting is related to drinking alcohol or could be caused by a medical condition.
Nausea and vomiting are most often experienced in the first 24 hours of withdrawal from alcohol. During this time, you should avoid eating greasy or fatty foods and adhere to the BRAT diet (bananas rice, applesauce, rice toast, etc.). If alcohol home detox becomes severe, you can drink electrolyte drinks or water. You can also purchase an over-the-counter medication for nausea, such as Kaopectate or Pepto Bismol in the event of a need.
3. Vomiting
Alcohol can trigger digestive issues, and they can manifest as nausea and vomit. This can happen as your body detoxes, and adjusts to drinking alcohol. It could last for a long time and may require control with medication. It is important to drink plenty of fluids and keep your blood sugar levels in control so that you don't suffer from dehydration, which could cause symptoms to become worse.
The symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol may include hallucinations as well as seizures. These symptoms usually begin between 12 and 24 hours after the last drink. home detox alcohol might be able to feel, hear or see things that you're not actually experiencing. Seizures are an indication of severe withdrawal from alcohol, and can be fatal if not treated by a medical professional.
You'll likely need to be closely monitored by a physician during withdrawal and detoxification. They will look for signs of dehydration and fever as well as signs of a fast heartbeat to determine the severity of your withdrawal symptoms. They may prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms and prevent seizure if necessary.
Medical experts will create a space that is comfortable and safe for you to reduce the risk of seizures or other life-threatening signs. They can help you manage your withdrawal symptoms, and offer you the tools to prevent relapse. Alcohol detox and treatment will allow your brain's chemistry and alcohol levels to be restored to normal.
4. Diarrhea
In the course of addiction to alcohol, the body's digestive system can be affected and the intestines are affected by a myriad of factors that can cause diarrhoea. This is a sign of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. It happens when people stop drinking alcohol or drastically reduce their consumption. Other withdrawal symptoms include tremors, nausea and vomiting.
Diarrhoea may last for a few days, or even weeks, based on the severity of the condition. This symptom can be relieved by drinking plenty of water or eating lots of fiber, which will reduce the amount of liquid in the colon.
Alcohol causes the stomach to produce more acid to aid digestion, which can also cause irritation to the intestines. This issue is more likely if you drink a lot of alcohol, because of the tannins that are found in the grapes that are used to make wine.
It's important for anyone going through an alcohol detox to get plenty of rest and to drink fluids to remain hydrated. This will help lessen the severity of withdrawal symptoms. Access to medical treatment is also beneficial in the case of complications like seizures that can occur in the course of withdrawal.
Once the first 24 hours of detoxification from alcohol have been completed the most severe withdrawal symptoms should be less severe. However, this doesn't mean that the detox process is over. There are many symptoms, including migraine headaches, that you have to endure.
5. Tremors
Although they're not as frequent as other signs of withdrawal from alcohol Tremors are a common occurrence in a few people during detox. They are usually an indication of severe withdrawal and are more likely to happen in men. It is important to seek medical treatment as soon as you notice shaking. If left untreated, they could lead to seizures and heart attacks.
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. It blocks excitatory brain chemicals. When you quit drinking your body's excitatory chemicals naturally become overexcited and can cause a variety of withdrawal symptoms, including tremors. This is the reason you should never attempt to stop drinking alcohol by yourself without the supervision of a physician.
The severity of the withdrawal symptoms depend on the amount you drink and the tolerance level of your body. Mild symptoms typically start around two hours after your last drink, and can include anxiety, irritability and sweating. These symptoms will peak within 48 hours and then gradually diminish. The withdrawal symptoms that are severe can include the appearance of tremors and confusion. These symptoms can be dangerous and could lead to aspiration pneumonitis in extreme cases.
In the course of alcohol detox, you'll receive medications to treat withdrawal symptoms. Benzodiazepines (also known as benzos) are the most popular and are used for muscle spasms and anxiety, insomnia, and other withdrawal-related symptoms. The most common benzos prescribed are chlordiazepoxide, which is also known as Valium and Liquidum. If you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, you should seek immediate help from a professional.
6. Insomnia
If you're used to relying on alcohol to sleep it can be hard to sleep soundly without it. You can overcome insomnia during the alcohol detox process and get a good sleep by following a few simple methods.
Sleeping well is vital for maintaining your mental and physical health. Insomnia can impact your ability to concentrate and feel relaxed, as well as perform normal throughout the day. It can also affect your mood and make it harder to enjoy your sobriety.
Sleep problems are common among recovering alcoholics. In fact, they're a leading reason why people relapse in the early stages of recovery. While the shaking, sweating and nausea that come with withdrawal usually go away as time passes, sleep issues can last for weeks or even months.
Insomnia is a typical manifestation of alcohol withdrawal. It can cause irritability, anxiety and other signs. detox alcohol is why it's important to treat this symptom using a medical detox program.
Fortunately, the majority of symptoms that can cause insomnia during detoxification can be addressed by taking a medication known as Ambien. This sleeping pill is included in a variety of detox programs that offer medical assistance. While the medication can help you fall asleep however, it's not a mix with alcohol, which makes it safe to use for the duration of your detox. The sleep aid can improve your overall quality of life and promote the best sleep possible throughout your alcohol detox.