Author: Alex Thompson
10 Natural Remedies For Alcohol Withdrawal ARK Behavioral Health
This thought process can be a useful mental tool when the physical pain of withdrawal is most severe. It’s also important to note that delirium tremens can be life-threatening. The prognosis (outlook) for someone with alcohol withdrawal depends greatly on its severity. Many involve a combination of group psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications.
The detoxification timeline varies based on the severity of the alcohol addiction. Alcohol withdrawal causes a variety of different symptoms including fatigue, anxiety, depression, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms are most severe between 24 and 72 hours after the last drink and may limit your ability to eat. The alcohol content in specific beer, wine and liquor products differs.
Healthcare providers typically prescribe short-term medications to relieve the symptoms of mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal. Typically, alcohol withdrawal symptoms happen for heavier drinkers. Alcohol withdrawal can begin within hours of ending a drinking session. Chronic, heavy alcohol use increases GABA signaling and reduces NMDA signaling, resulting in a persistent reduction in brain activity for as long as alcohol is present. However, when alcohol use is stopped suddenly, GABA and NMDA levels rapidly swing back towards normal levels as the brain tries to restore homeostasis.
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One option that should never be considered is approaching alcohol detox alone and unsupervised. This is because the withdrawal symptoms can be rough, and sometimes unpredictable. Depending on the history and acuity of the addiction, withdrawals can range from mild to severe. Having a thorough assessment prior to beginning detox is an important first step, where the individual’s overall health and the severity of the alcohol abuse are assessed.
A self-detox involves detoxing from alcohol at home without medical support or supervision. It allows you to manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms in the comfort of your own home with little cost. At-home alcohol detox is especially dangerous for people with alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Serious symptoms caused by delirium tremens include hallucination and seizure. Alcohol can stay in your system for several hours depending on how much you drink. Once it begins to leave your body, early symptoms of withdrawal begin.
Self-Detox vs. Medical Detox
Early symptoms include headache, sweating, tremors, vomiting and difficulty concentrating. Expect to feel some discomfort, including anxiety, sweating or irritability. If you feel severe symptoms, such as hallucinations, rapid heartbeat or disorientation, call 911 immediately. Most people with mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal don’t need treatment in a hospital. But severe or complicated alcohol withdrawal can result in lengthy hospital stays and even time in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Withdrawal symptoms, like delirium tremens or alcohol withdrawal syndrome, can be severe and even become life-threatening if untreated. Inpatient or outpatient detox can help alleviate symptoms and prepare you for professional rehab programs. Kudzu is an ancient Chinese herbal supplement that is said to reduce alcohol cravings. It is the only natural supplement that is recognized by the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Detox at a professional rehab facility is typically the most recommended method for addressing alcohol addiction and dependence. Severe and complicated alcohol withdrawal requires treatment in a hospital — sometimes in the ICU. While receiving treatment, healthcare providers will want to monitor you continuously to make sure you don’t develop life-threatening complications. Sometimes the anticipation of a negative experience can create exaggerated expectations, preventing a person from moving ahead. While alcohol detox is an unpleasant step toward becoming clean and sober, it is also an essential step. For anyone who intends to undergo alcohol detox and withdrawal at home, it is recommended that they undergo an evaluation with a medical professional before they begin.
- Drink plenty of fluids, but you don’t have to drink just water.
- Some people find that smaller, more frequent meals help if nausea is an issue.
- Alcohol withdrawal can deplete the body of essential nutrients.
- If you experience nausea, seizures, and hallucinations, seek help.
- Although you may be deterred by entering a treatment program, it’s the safest way to detox from alcohol.
Having little to no access to alcohol can help you stop drinking. Consider avoiding bars and liquor stores, as well as avoiding routines that involve alcohol. Drink plenty of fluids, but you don’t have to drink just water.
Medical Detox For Alcohol Addiction
When you are detoxing from alcohol at a rehab center, nurses and doctors monitor vital signs, provide adequate nourishment and treat complications if they occur. For mild alcohol withdrawal that’s not at risk of worsening, your provider may prescribe carbamazepine or gabapentin to help with symptoms. But treatment varies based on the severity of alcohol withdrawal and the likelihood that it could progress to severe or complicated withdrawal. Not only will you develop physical withdrawal symptoms, you may have increased anxiety as well.
Take Your Vitamins and Minerals
A cold shower can help you physically reset if you are experiencing strong urges to relapse. It can help clear your mind and has many other great benefits beyond helping you deal with alcohol withdrawal. It may also help with hot flashes that can occur during alcohol withdrawal. Eating healthier helps your body heal from the effects of alcohol.
Some of these remedies can be useful during withdrawal itself, and some are more helpful as you cope with cravings. When they suddenly quit drinking, the brain continues its hyperactivity, but alcohol no longer suppresses the effects. This can cause seizures and delirium tremens, a severe form of withdrawal marked by tremors and hallucinations.
If you receive acupuncture, needles are inserted at specific and strategic points on your body. This helps restore balance to your dopamine levels, which may also curb your desire to drink alcohol. They can be managed with prescribed medications such as benzodiazepines. Maintaining a calm and comfortable environment, staying hydrated and avoiding stimulants like caffeine is also helpful. If you have the shakes, medical intervention is typically necessary, as shakes can be a sign of more serious withdrawal complications.