Alcohol Withdrawal: Symptoms, Treatment & Timeline
You’ll need to wait until your treatment is complete and your doctor confirms you’re safe to resume these activities. It affects about 50% of people with alcohol use disorder who stop or significantly decrease their alcohol intake. AUD is the most common substance use disorder in the U.S., affecting 28.8 million adults. Polydrug use is a term for the use of more than one drug or type of drug at the same time or one after another. Polydrug use can involve both illicit drugs and legal substances, such as alcohol and medications. Even with treatment, one of the possible complications of DTs is death.
Get Help from a Recovery Advocate
Medical experts emphasize that attempting alcohol detox at home, without professional support, significantly increases the risk of dangerous and potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms. The safest option is detox in a clinical inpatient setting with 24/7 monitoring and medical intervention available 1. This level of care is the foundation of a safe detox program because it reduces the risk of life‑threatening complications that can occur when alcohol leaves your system. Proper nutrition and hydration are vital during the withdrawal process. Alcohol consumption can lead to nutritional deficiencies, and correcting these deficiencies can help alleviate some withdrawal symptoms.
- Potential complications of alcohol withdrawal include seizures, delirium tremens, and death.
- Giving up depressants after using them for a long time is challenging because the body has to get used to functioning without them.
- Treatment plans should be adjusted based on your symptoms and clinical response.
- That way, you can get 24-7 support for your mental health and physical symptoms.
- Ultimately, selecting the best medication for alcohol withdrawal is a collaborative decision made with a medical professional.
- It’s usually used in combination with counselling to reduce alcohol craving.
Preventing Relapse
Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects. People who have previously experienced withdrawal, have liver problems or other health issues are at greater risk for complications. In any of these situations, a physician supervised detox or detox with medical monitoring significantly lowers your risk. If you are reading this, you are likely weighing your options.
- From there, a team can help you design a supervised withdrawal plan that honors your safety, your dignity, and your goals for the future.
- Binge drinking and alcohol misuse are major contributors to the development of alcohol withdrawal symptoms and alcohol use disorder.
- Benzodiazepines remain the agents of choice for most patients undergoing withdrawal.
- The main symptoms of DTs often take between three to seven days to go away.
- Managing alcohol withdrawal symptoms is a complex process that requires medical supervision, supportive care, and a commitment to recovery.
What happens before detox begins
You’ll benefit from structured aftercare through sober living environments or outpatient programs. Consider utilizing telemedicine options for ongoing support, and make certain your family members receive education to strengthen your support network. Treatment plans should be adjusted based on your symptoms and clinical response. In-person and telemedicine appointments may alternate to maintain consistent monitoring while ensuring your safety throughout the withdrawal process. Overwhelming laboratory and clinical evidence supports benzodiazepines as the primary treatment choice for alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Alcohol withdrawal is a potentially serious complication of alcohol use disorder.
Baclofen is a strong candidate as a medication for alcohol withdrawal due to its unique metabolic profile and targeted action. For patients with cirrhosis or other forms of severe liver damage, benzodiazepines can be risky due to impaired metabolism. Baclofen bypasses this issue entirely, as it’s primarily excreted by the kidneys.
Supplementary Medications and Their Benefits
They help lower activity in your CNS, which is the source of most of the dangerous problems with DTs. The most common sedatives are benzodiazepines, but other drug types are possible, too. In rare situations, people with very high CNS activity may need general anesthesia to fully sedate them and avoid the most dangerous symptoms of DTs. Other tests may be possible, depending on your symptoms or if you have any other health problems. Your healthcare provider can tell you more about the tests they recommend or used for you (or your loved one) and why. You can’t prevent all cases of substance use disorder because there are a lot of factors (many of which are outside of your control) that could play a role in how the condition develops.
- One of the strengths of supervised alcohol withdrawal is that the process can be adapted to match your symptoms, your history, and your support system.
- A proper diagnosis is essential for developing an effective treatment plan and ensuring a safe and successful recovery.
- If you suddenly stop drinking, it’s like the alcohol side letting go of the rope.
- Most people with mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal don’t need treatment in a hospital.
- This will lead to improved nutrition, which can profoundly impact your overall health, especially over time.
PICTURE YOUR RECOVERY PATHWAY
- Alcohol is on one side, slowing down central nervous system (CNS) activity.
- With physical dependence, a person’s body adapts to the depressants and gets used to functioning with them.
- Make sure that others with you during this time know to call 911 right away.
- Ongoing support from family and friends, as well as participation in support groups, can also help individuals stay on track and maintain their recovery over time.
For psychological commitment support, disulfiram serves Alcohol Withdrawal as a deterrent by causing adverse reactions when alcohol is consumed. Nalmefene offers a flexible approach for those not ready for complete abstinence. Additional medications like clonidine and beta-blockers can help manage specific withdrawal symptoms. These supplementary options are most effective when combined with counseling and psychosocial support, creating an extensive treatment approach personalized to your needs.
It’s important to understand that alcohol dependence can develop quickly in heavy drinkers, sometimes after just a few weeks. Withdrawal symptoms can occur with or without a formal diagnosis of alcohol use disorder. Having a family history of the condition also increases the likelihood of developing alcohol dependence. One of the strengths of supervised alcohol withdrawal is that the process can be adapted to match your symptoms, your history, and your support system. Healthcare professionals watch for complications like seizures, arrhythmias, or severe confusion. If needed, they can escalate care quickly, which is not possible in a home environment.
