Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
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Alcohol withdrawal is one of the most uncomfortable steps of getting over an addiction. The withdrawal is the part that makes you feel physically ill, craving the substance until you satisfy your addiction once more. Getting through alcohol withdrawal symptoms is not easy, but if it’s successful, it can bring you one step closer to sobriety. You just need to get the right help for that.
Understanding Alcohol Withdrawal
If you drink often and heavily, then there is a good possibility you will begin having problems when you stop drinking. The series of symptoms you will experience in a couple of hours after that is called “alcohol withdrawal.” Most people refer to it as a “hangover.”
Alcohol withdrawal starts making itself noticed the moment your body is getting used to alcohol. A person who does not usually drink much or does not have an addiction may barely feel any symptoms. However, someone who has an alcohol addiction will begin feeling these symptoms with a much stronger intensity.
With alcohol withdrawal, it does not matter that the last drink you had was 10 days ago; once you drink again, you will experience the symptoms again. If you have other medical conditions, the withdrawal symptoms may even put your health at risk. For instance, the increased pulse or blood pressure is the last thing that a person with a heart condition needs.
Alcohol withdrawal may also make you crave one more drink. Even if you do not necessarily crave it, a drink will give you that extra sense of stability – a feeling that you are “normal.” In this case, you are most likely dealing with an alcohol use disorder, which causes your body to feel “off” when the substance is exiting your system.
Symptoms Associated with Alcohol Withdrawal
The moment alcohol starts getting out of your system, your body knows. Even though the process is beneficial, your body is not exactly happy – because once more, it needs to learn how to function without the addictive substance in your system. For this reason, in the few hours after you stop drinking, you may begin to feel these symptoms:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Vertigo
- Fatigue and weakness
- Excessive thirst
- Muscle aches
- Flushing of the skin
- Low body temperature
- Trouble sleeping
- Increased blood pressure
- Rapid pulse
- Inability to focus on your responsibilities
- Tremors
- Sweating
- Mood swings and irritability
Each person will feel different symptoms. This may depend on factors such as the type of alcohol ingested, how much you drank – even your genes may affect the alcohol withdrawal. Some people may get away with a headache and a bit of fatigue, whereas others may experience a cocktail of all the other symptoms. It mostly depends on the way your body breaks down the booze.
How To Find Help for alcohol withdrawal
With strong willpower, your alcohol withdrawal symptoms should go away in around four days. However, quitting and going through the symptoms alone is not always that easy. If the alcoholism is advanced, then you’ll want to get professional help for that.
The best option is to find a rehab center near you. That being said, many people respond better to inpatient treatment centers that are away from their homes – and therefore, away from temptation. You just need to come to terms with your symptoms and accept the fact that professional help will make matters easier for you.
Best Treatment Route for Alcoholism
Alcohol withdrawal can be handled in two different ways: through inpatient treatment or outpatient therapy. This will usually depend on your stage of alcoholism. If you have an earlier stage of alcoholism, then you may be able to get treatment at home. However, if you have an advanced stage, then you’ll likely need to be admitted.
Regardless of your stage, alcohol withdrawal has to be accompanied by medication. Medicine such as Valium and others will be used to treat the symptoms, whereas medications such as Naltrexone and Acamprosate will help you reduce the cravings. In most cases, the doctor will recommend the treatment route that works best for you.
Benefits of Getting Off Alcohol
Getting off alcohol can be a life-changer for many people struggling with alcoholism. Here are the main benefits of getting off alcohol:
You’ll Be Saving Money
Alcohol isn’t cheap – and when you are dealing with alcohol addiction, you’d have to use a lot of your funds to buy the alcohol. Giving up on alcohol will help you save money, as you’ll no longer be wasting it on booze anymore.
Your Health Will Improve
When you have an alcohol addiction, your body feels it. You have headaches all the time, nausea seems to follow you around like a puppy, and you probably feel ill and drained of energy all the time – or well, at least when you aren’t drinking. Giving up alcohol will help your body find its balance, improving your overall health.
You Can Lose Weight
Alcohol messes with your digestive system, slowing down your absorption rate. Not only that, but it also prevents you from absorbing the essential nutrients – at the same time filling you with “empty calories.” Because of this, you tend to gain weight, even without actually eating much. Quitting alcohol will help you shed off the extra kilograms much faster.
Why Real Deal Sober Living?
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be difficult to deal with, and sometimes even dangerous. If you have a pre-existing health condition, the withdrawal symptoms may put you in danger, which is why you need close monitoring.
Real Deal Sober Living has all the tools needed to ensure your withdrawal symptoms stay at a minimum. Medical detox may be provided both at home and as part of inpatient therapy, depending on your stage of alcoholism. The staff at Real Deal will cater to your needs and take care of you so that you are back on your feet as fast as possible.
If you are struggling with alcohol withdrawal symptoms that you can’t manage by yourself, don’t suffer alone. Get the right help and breeze through the symptoms without risking a relapse. Real Deal can help you out!