Author: Alex Thompson

Alcohol use disorder Treatment

Detox doesn’t treat addiction, which is a disease characterized by compulsive behaviors, such as chronic alcohol use. It’s also important to note that delirium tremens can be life-threatening. Behavioral therapies can help those struggling with alcohol abuse focus on avoiding old patterns and identify the root causes of addiction. Multiple factors can affect how long it may take you to withdraw from alcohol.

Treatment for alcohol use disorder can vary, depending on your needs. Treatment may involve a brief intervention, individual or group counseling, an outpatient program, or a residential inpatient stay. Working to stop alcohol use to improve quality of life is the main treatment goal. Before beginning a tapering schedule, speak with your doctor about the risks of detoxing at home. Tapering off alcohol may complicate other medical conditions or co-occurring mental health disorders. If you’ve been unable to quit on your own, you should consider attending an alcohol rehab center.

How is alcohol withdrawal diagnosed?

The higher the number, the worse a person’s symptoms are and the more treatments they likely need. Most people stop having withdrawal symptoms four to five days after their last drink. Inpatient, where you live at a hospital, detox clinic, or rehab center during the process. Your symptoms may last a week or more, typically hitting their worst within hours.

Common medications include benzodiazepines to help treat symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. You might also take anti-seizure meds and antipsychotics, along with other drugs. Outpatient, where you get some treatment during the day but live at home. This might be as simple as visiting your health care professional regularly to get meds. If you’re used to drinking less than 20 beers per day, HAMS recommends reducing your alcohol consumption by two beers per day until you achieve sobriety. It’s difficult to predict who will and who won’t experience alcohol withdrawal — and how severe it will be.

1. Generally, these symptoms include anxiety, low energy, trouble sleeping and delayed reflexes, and can last from several months to a year.
2. Be prepared to discuss any problems that alcohol may be causing.
3. These are good if you have a more serious problem and struggle to stay sober.
4. Many involve a combination of group psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications.
5. Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 (or your local emergency service number) if you or a loved one has any concerning symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

Similar to the first full day of detox, the most painful symptoms will continue into the second day. Hallucinations and panic attacks are common during this time as your body rids alcohol from its system. As you approach the end of the first 24 hours of detox, symptoms may become increasingly severe. Alongside the effects felt from the first 12 hours, additional symptoms may involve disorientation, hand tremors and seizures. Tapering can help you overcome alcohol dependence, which is a side effect of chronic alcohol use that causes cravings and withdrawal.

Do I Need a Detox Program?

A person who has a long history of heavy drinking could have a seizure six hours after stopping drinking. Doctors may prescribe other medications to treat withdrawal-related symptoms. One example is a beta-blocker (such as propranolol) to reduce high blood pressure. You can still pursue therapy and support groups as you go through withdrawal. To assess a person’s withdrawal symptoms and recommend treatments, doctors often use a scale called the Clinical Institute for Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol.

Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. Nanci Stockwell of Advanced Recovery Systems discusses the risks of detoxing at home and the benefits of detoxing from alcohol and other drugs in a safe environment. Alcohol (ethanol) depresses (slows down) your central nervous system (CNS). If you consistently consume significant amounts of alcohol, your CNS gets used to this effect. Your CNS must work harder to overcome the depressant effects of alcohol to keep your body functioning.

Coping and support

But severe or complicated alcohol withdrawal can result in lengthy hospital stays and even time in the intensive care unit (ICU). Healthcare providers typically prescribe short-term medications to relieve the symptoms of mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal. According to a 2015 article, an estimated 50 percent of people with an alcohol use disorder go through withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking. Doctors estimate that 3 to 5 percent of people will have severe symptoms. Many people stop experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms four to five days after their last drink. For example, if you have a medical or mental health condition, you’ll want services for that.

Alcohol dependence and addiction are serious medical conditions. Minor symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be overcome with rest and at-home remedies, and it is possible for some people to taper off alcohol without supervision. However, individuals who suffer from alcohol addiction require professional rehab. The purpose of tapering off alcohol is to avoid major withdrawal symptoms so you can achieve sobriety safely. The time it takes to taper will depend on how long you’ve been drinking, how much you’ve been drinking and a variety of personal factors. Alcohol withdrawal (alcohol withdrawal syndrome) is a range of symptoms that can happen if you stop or significantly reduce alcohol intake after long-term use.

If you drink alcohol heavily for weeks, months, or years, you may have both mental and physical problems when you stop or seriously cut back on how much you drink. We’re here 24/7 to help guide you or your loved on through rehab and recovery. Submit your number to receive a call today from a treatment provider.

More on Substance Abuse and Addiction

Detoxing at home usually takes longer because you should be cautious to avoid serious complications. Many involve a combination of group psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. Your healthcare provider will recommend and encourage treatment for alcohol use disorder. For mild alcohol withdrawal that’s not at risk of worsening, your provider may prescribe carbamazepine or gabapentin to help with symptoms. It affects about 50% of people with alcohol use disorder who stop or significantly decrease their alcohol intake.

You may be able to detox at home and still attend outpatient therapy or support group meetings. The brain compensates for the depressive effects of alcohol by increasing its activity. When people who are dependent on alcohol drink, they feel normal. Severe and complicated alcohol withdrawal requires treatment in a hospital — sometimes in the ICU.

Treating alcohol withdrawal is a short-term fix that doesn’t help the core problem. When you talk to your doctor about symptom relief, it’s a good idea to discuss treatment for alcohol abuse or dependence. If your blood pressure, pulse, or body temperature rises, or if you have more serious symptoms like seizures and hallucinations, seek medical care immediately (dial 911). Outpatient alcohol detox may be a good fit for people at low risk for severe withdrawal.