Some people struggle to sleep, while others experience nausea or mild hallucinations. As your body works to restore balance, symptoms can feel unpredictable. Alcohol withdrawal happens when the body, which has become used to regular alcohol intake, struggles to adjust after drinking suddenly stops. Over time, alcohol affects the brain’s neurotransmitters, especially gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps calm the nervous system. Alcohol suppresses glutamate and enhances GABA, making the body more relaxed. If you or a loved one would like to quit alcohol in a safe, non-judgmental space, contact Allure Detox.
Table of Contents
The benefits of completing this stage
- Naltrexone has been found to lower the risk of relapse by approximately 36% by blocking opioid receptors responsible for alcohol-induced pleasure.
- This is so your doctor can monitor your condition and manage any complications.
- Recovery leads to better physical and mental health, stronger relationships, and increased career and financial stability, allowing individuals to regain control over their lives.
- Overstimulation causes severe discomfort, so people with certain mental health conditions avoid crowded, loud, or overstimulating environments.
- You may also receive other medications or treatments for related health issues, like IV fluids for dehydration and electrolyte imbalances or antinausea medicines if you experience vomiting.
By simplifying access to care and support, we help you take meaningful steps toward overcoming withdrawal challenges and achieving a healthier future with confidence and ease. Heavy drinkers or those who have had an alcohol addiction for some time may experience more severe symptoms, such as hallucinations, seizures, and Delirium Tremens (DTs). DTs can be life-threatening, so it’s important to seek immediate help if you or alcoholism someone you love is experiencing severe symptoms. You should also seek medical help if you have underlying physical conditions, like high blood pressure or heart issues.
How Do Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders Affect Alcohol Recovery?
This is why many choose an alcohol rehab programme for professional support. The first 48 hours can bring intense cravings, and for those at risk of severe withdrawal, confusion and tremors may appear. While not everyone experiences dangerous symptoms, listening to your body and seeking help if something feels wrong is important. At Allure Detox, we recognize that facing drug and alcohol withdrawal alone can be daunting. We’re here to listen, understand your challenges, and provide personalized guidance as you explore professional detox options. Our admissions team is ready to support you, whether you’re seeking treatment, need advice, or just want someone to talk to.
Day 13
Medically, alcohol dependence is recognised as a type of ‘alcohol-use disorder’ which can be treated. It’s different to ‘harmful drinking’ (another type of alcohol-use disorder) which is a pattern of heavy drinking which causes damage to your health, but without actual dependence. Severe symptoms can additionally include hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren’t real),4 as well as seizures or delirium tremens (‘DTs’).
Prevention of further drinking
Studies show support groups play an instrumental role in helping people develop healthy social networks that result in continued sobriety. For people at low risk of complications, an office visit to your primary care provider, along with at-home monitoring and virtual office visits, may suffice. People at high risk of complications should enter a short-term in-patient detox program. For those with alcohol use disorder, withdrawal is just the first (but very important) step on a long journey to recovery.
Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders
Most people who go through alcohol withdrawal make a full recovery. This is a potentially life threatening complication for which you may require medical attention. Your doctor may prescribe medication to help you manage your symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
With detailed listings of drug and alcohol treatment centers near you, we help you find accurate support for safe withdrawal and lasting recovery. Start overcoming withdrawal symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, or nausea today with the right resources by your side. At UKAT, our alcohol rehab programme provides care at every stage of alcohol detox, ensuring a safe and supportive environment where trained professionals can ease discomfort and guide you through withdrawal. Alcoholism affects both the body and mind, which is why our programme includes therapy and holistic treatments to help you address the psychological aspects of alcohol addiction. Inpatient treatment, or staying at a hospital or care facility, may be necessary for someone with moderate to severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
They can also help you build skills to better manage stress and triggers. One particularly effective form of therapy is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which alters negative thought patterns and replaces them with healthier ways of coping. Individuals with a strong support system, such as friends and family, typically have an easier time quitting alcohol. Another factor that can affect the timeline is access to treatment options, such as therapy, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Psychologically, you can look forward to feeling more emotionally resilient and confident, while physically, you’ll notice a healthier liver and a lower risk of many diseases, such as cancer and heart issues. Since alcohol is a depressant, your body becomes overstimulated as soon as you stop drinking, leading to feelings of anxiety, restlessness, and irritability.
This may involve one one-on-one sessions with a social worker or therapist to help you deal with mental health issues or past traumas. At some point, it may be helpful to include your partner or family, too. Alcohol withdrawal can range from very mild symptoms to a severe form, known as delirium tremens. Millions of people join support groups to help stop drinking and stay stopped.
- It’s best to be in a calm and controlled environment to reduce the risk of symptoms progressing toward hallucinations.
- This may involve one one-on-one sessions with a social worker or therapist to help you deal with mental health issues or past traumas.
- However, there is always hope and the potential for a healthier well-being and a more enriching life.
- Outpatient alcohol detox may be a good fit for people at low risk for severe withdrawal.
- Symptoms can begin 6 hours after a person’s last drink and typically peak around 72 hours.
- By day eight of abstinence from alcohol, many begin to see the health advantages of quitting.
Take our free, 5-minute alcohol misuse self-assessment below if cutting back on alcohol symptoms you think you or someone you love might be struggling with an alcohol use disorder (AUD). The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of an AUD. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result. It may feel hard to talk honestly to your doctor about your alcohol use. Remember that their goal is to help you get healthy, not judge you.