Alcohol Detox: Signs, Effects, Symptoms
There are multiple risks and known signs of alcohol abuse. This article attempts to explain alcohol withdrawal symptoms along with corresponding alcohol detox.
As well as, how to perceive signs and dangers of alcohol addiction to help somebody dealing with addiction, what withdrawal symptoms are, and lastly detox treatments like that from Ambrosia Behavioral Health to assist with alcohol detox to guide you to initial recovery.
Below is a list of indications of alcohol abuse. First-time drinkers may be sure to show most of these signs. Concerning perceiving liquor misuse, the first sign is recurrence. Any individual who gets alcoholic will appear at any rate the accompanying side effects. Somebody who shows these signs most of the time might be a liquor victimizer.
- An extremely high tolerance to alcohol
- Bloodshot eyes
- Compulsive, sometimes risky behavior
- Vomiting / Nausea
- Excessive cologne, gum-chewing or other attempts to mask an odor
- Unprovoked agitation or aggression
- An aroma of alcohol
- Blackouts
- Dizziness or lack of coordination
- Excessive sweating
- Difficulty talking, walking, and/or standing up
Risks of Alcohol Abuse
Through and through, alcohol causes around 88,000 passing consistently, and that is simply in America alone. Europe is experiencing its alcohol-related crisis, and the latest news says England is in transit to encounter untouched death rates from liquor. There are numerous dangers of alcohol abuse to try and run down here without the article transforming into a scroll of side effects/symptoms. Nonetheless, we need to give you a portion of the more typical dangers of liquor misuse. We provide two separate lists that are broken down into short-term risks and long-term risks.
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Alcohol poisoning, (possibly land you in the hospital for a stomach pumping, and can indeed be fatal)
- Impaired judgment, (leads to engagement in risky behavior/injury)
- Blacking-out, (a form of temporary amnesia and may have more serious long-term effects than currently known)
- Bodily dysfunction, (which includes everything from motor skills to incontinence)
- Extreme emotional distress
- Cirrhosis of the liver and/or pancreas, (which could lead to cancer)
- Anxiety and/or depression
- Several different heart conditions
- Brain damage
- Uncontrollable shaking/tremors
- Kidney failure
- Insomnia
Recognizing Alcoholism & Stepping In
Abusive behavior consists of using a substance to the point of intoxication. While Addiction consists of repeating that process on a regular routine basis. A good example of alcohol abuse would be someone single-handedly drinking an entire six-pack of beer in one sitting with the goal of getting drunk. An example of addiction would be someone doing that every night, or even most nights. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychological Association, offers scientific criteria regarding telling abuse vs. addiction, for further reading.
Stepping in and intervening when it comes to someone we know has a problem is never an easy thing to do. We love these people, and we do not want to hurt them, but we love them enough to know they are hurting themselves, and perhaps at a deadly rate. In such extreme cases, professional intervention is recommended. When it comes to simply trying to help someone you love, keep these tips in mind:
Alcohol abuse is not necessarily alcohol addiction, which is traditionally known as alcoholism. Regardless, if you know and care about someone who is either definitely an alcoholic, or someone who you suspect may be, there are ways to step in, intervene, and being the process of helping… and of course you can step in and help yourself too. With alcohol, as with most substances, abuse is the step directly preceding addiction. However, there are some ways to tell abuse and addiction apart.
Abuse consists of using a substance to the point of intoxication. Addiction consists of repeating that process on a regular basis. An example of abuse would be someone drinking an entire six-pack of beer in one sitting and getting drunk. An example of addiction would be someone doing that every night, or even most nights. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychological Association, offers scientific criteria regarding telling abuse vs. addiction, for further reading.
Stepping in and intervening when it comes to someone, we know has a problem is never an easy thing to do. We love these people, and we do not want to hurt them, but we love them enough to know they are hurting themselves, and perhaps at a deadly rate. In such extreme cases, professional intervention is recommended. When it comes to simply trying to help someone you love, keep these tips in mind:
- Maintain per usual rapport you already have with the person. Avoid Acting differently will likely arouse suspicion.
- Do not demand the person to seek help. Simply state your concerns.
- Encourage the possibility of support, but do not be forceful.
- Do not call the person an alcoholic. Try to start sentences with “I” and not “You”.
Alcohol Withdrawal
The bottom line in any person’s rehab journey is that all pain or discomfort felt along the path to recovery will be completely forgotten about once the bliss of sobriety and healthy living comes rushing back into their lives. Any struggles at this point along the path are well worth the normalcy and stability of a life without alcohol abuse.
What follows is a rundown of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Still, please be aware that with our professional help from us here at Ambrosia Behavioral Health, many of these symptoms can be avoided but can also be treatable. As you begin to read this list of symptoms, be aware that quitting alcohol without seeking treatment with professional supervision puts you much more at risk than quitting with the proper help.
- Seizures
- Tremors, which include Delirium tremens, a possibly fatal condition
- Anxiety and heightened nervousness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Excessive sweating
- Acute headache
- Increased heart rate
- Extreme agitation and aggression
- Loss of appetite
- Restlessness or insomnia
To reiterate, the symptoms described are much more likely to occur and much more likely to be worse if an alcoholic stops drinking without help. Ambrosia Behavorial Health can provide all the necessary support for someone suffering from drug addiction to begin their path towards recovery the best way possible. As mentioned before, the first step is detoxification, commonly called detox, which safely and effectively removes alcohol from the body. Even though there may not be a manual to tell abuse from addiction, there is indeed a manual on the steps to provide detox from alcohol, and we here at Ambrosia Treatment Center may well have written it.
Completing detox can be a vital achievement. But this success doesn’t remove every roadblock on the path to recovery. Among the challenges a person can face after detox is a condition known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome, or PAWS. PAWS is a set of symptoms that can occur after a person completes the initial phase of withdrawal.
People who develop PAWS may struggle with challenges such as the following:
- Anxiety, panic, and depression
- Impaired memory
- Lowered ability to learn or solve problems
- Behaviors that are similar to symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Difficulty coping with stress
- Disrupted sleep patterns
The effects of PAWS can last for weeks, months, or even years after a person has completed detox.
Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline
Alcohol Withdrawal Stages
Depending on a variety of individual factors, a person may experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms in the following order:
- The first eight hours: Initial alcohol withdrawal symptoms typically begin to occur within six to eight hours of a person’s last drink. The first symptoms can include both physical and emotional distress. During the first eight hours, a person may struggle with nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, shaking, heavy perspiration, and anxiety.
- Hours 12-24: During the second 12 hours of alcohol withdrawal, common symptoms can include elevated heart rate, breathing problems, continued heavy sweating, and irritability.
- The first three days: If a person has hallucinations and delusions as a result of alcohol withdrawal, they are most likely to occur during the first three or four days after their last drink. Additional withdrawal symptoms during this period can include tics, tremors, and seizures.
For some people, symptoms begin to subside after the first 72 hours. Others may develop new symptoms, or experience an increase in symptom severity, over the following few days.
It’s important to remember that the onset, severity, and duration of alcohol withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person. The potential unpredictability of withdrawal is one of the many reasons why entering a detox program is the best option.
- Seizures
- Tremors, which include Delirium tremens, a possibly fatal condition
- Anxiety and heightened nervousness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Excessive sweating
- Acute headache
- Increased heart rate
- Extreme agitation and aggression
- Loss of appetite
- Restlessness or insomnia
To reiterate, the symptoms described are much more likely to occur and much more likely to be worse if an alcoholic stops drinking without help. Ambrosia Behavorial Health can provide all the necessary support for someone suffering from drug addiction to begin their path towards recovery the best way possible. As mentioned before, the first step is detoxification, commonly called detox, which safely and effectively removes alcohol from the body. Even though there may not be a manual to tell abuse from addiction, there is indeed a manual on the steps to provide detox from alcohol, and we here at Ambrosia Treatment Center may well have written it.
Completing detox can be a vital achievement. But this success doesn’t remove every roadblock on the path to recovery. Among the challenges a person can face after detox is a condition known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome, or PAWS. PAWS is a set of symptoms that can occur after a person completes the initial phase of withdrawal.
People who develop PAWS may struggle with challenges such as the following:
- Anxiety, panic, and depression
- Impaired memory
- Lowered ability to learn or solve problems
- Behaviors that are similar to symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Difficulty coping with stress
- Disrupted sleep patterns
The effects of PAWS can last for weeks, months, or even years after a person has completed detox.
About Our Alcohol Detox Program
Ambrosia Behavioral Health patrons begin their alcohol detox treatment with an intake process to help the clinical teams better understand the needs of the individual, thus creating a plan that will work for them. During the intake process, a medical, drug, alcohol, and current physical well-being history will be assessed. Clinicians on staff have tremendous experience working with alcohol addiction and have acquired many skills crucial to understanding where our clients stand and how to offer help in terms of withdrawal symptoms.
As stated previously, alcohol withdrawal is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition that can begin as soon as two hours after the last drink. For certain individuals who have been drinking heavily for weeks, months, or years, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can rapidly intensify, so it’s essential to seek medical attention even when symptoms seem mild at first.
Our experts say, “There is no such thing as being too careful in this situation.”
What to Expect During Alcohol Detox
The team can begin to focus primarily on identifying and treating the causes of an individual’s addictive behavior. After the intake process is complete, most clients in our alcohol detox program receive detoxification from alcohol in an effort to stabilize withdrawal symptoms or any medical complications. In some cases, pharmacological assistance will be needed, which would involve counter-indicative medication to offset withdrawal symptoms. This assistance is also necessary when there are co-occurring mental health disorders or underlying medical ailments complicated by substance abuse
During the first few days without alcohol, an alcoholic is likely to experience a variety of different physical and mental withdrawal symptoms. Since the brain, body, and mind are adjusting to functioning with a large amount of alcohol present, when an individual ceases drinking, these functions need to readjust. We are committed to ensuring a safe and comfortable transition for our clients during this time, so they can begin to focus on identifying and treating the causes of addictive behavior.
Following the intake process, most clients in our alcohol detox program undergo detoxification from alcohol to stabilize withdrawal symptoms or any medical complications. In some cases, pharmacological assistance may be needed, involving counter-indicative medication to offset withdrawal symptoms. This is also necessary when there are co-occurring mental health disorders or underlying medical ailments complicated by substance abuse.
Medication & Alcohol Detox Treatment
The medication is considered mild tranquilizers and brings short-term relief from insomnia and anxiety problems. The drugs in this family also have anticonvulsant properties, which help with relaxing the muscles. It is critical to take the first step and seek help in an alcohol detox program to reduce the s
significant damage was done by alcohol abuse and addiction.
The treatment and comprehensive care offered at Ambrosia Behavioral Health ensures the ability to overcome addiction’s physical and mental aspects. This achievement will promote the determination necessary to begin building the tools required to engage in long-term addiction recovery successfully.
Get Alcohol Addiction Treatment in South Florida
- Cause addiction in a short time frame.
- Can kill you from excess drinking by getting alcohol poisoning or
- Can kill you from the withdrawal symptoms of quitting cold turkey
- And the worst part above all is that it is legal.
Therefore, caution and responsibility are paramount when consuming alcohol. If you or a loved one is suffering from alcoholism or suspect alcoholism, please do not hesitate to contact Ambrosia Behavioral Health in South Florida today. We can be the first step toward a healthy, alcohol-free life.
Dr. Alam is an internationally renowned psychiatrist with academic affiliations with Northwestern University and University of Illinois, Chicago where he completed his residency training. He has been a principal investigator for over forty studies and has been involved in research leading to the approval of most psychiatric medications currently on the market. He is the founder of the Neuroscience Research Institute which continues to conduct research on cutting edge medication and interventional psychiatry. Dr. Alam is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Society of Addiction Medicine. He has won several awards and has been featured extensively on radio and television.
