Author: Alex Thompson

Alcohol Withdrawal: Symptoms, Treatment and Alcohol Detox Duration

This adverse effect on your mental health can be hard on the body as well. Most people experience alcohol dependence with heavy use and experience physical symptoms when they stop drinking. Inpatient treatment, or staying at a hospital or care facility, may be necessary for someone with moderate to severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Inpatient treatment allows healthcare professionals to monitor you for DT or hallucinations, monitor your vitals, and administer fluids or medicine intravenously if needed. This article discusses alcohol withdrawal, its symptoms, and potential complications.

Stage 1: Mild Withdrawal

Withdrawal headaches from PAWS typically come back in recurrent cycles. While some people may be concerned about headaches, they are a completely normal side effect and may last up to a year. Individuals should be prepared to be uncomfortable during this period and have medical help available if needed.

Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal

Our inpatient treatment center offers the evidence-based care you need to overcome addiction and lead an alcohol-free life. There is no set answer on when the headaches from acute withdrawal will go away permanently. Some people experience them for a few days, while others may get headaches for a year or even longer. Millions of people join support groups to help stop drinking and stay stopped. Studies show support groups play an instrumental role in helping people develop healthy social networks that result in continued sobriety.

Remember you are facing a difficult challenge during alcohol withdrawal, but you are not alone. There are many resources available to help, including peer support groups, counseling, therapy, and inpatient rehabilitation. For those with alcohol use disorder, withdrawal is just the first (but very important) step on a long journey to recovery. These first few weeks are critical because they are when the risk of relapse is highest.

Conditions

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). For additional information about substance abuse or the management of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, call Bedrock Recovery Center today. For most people, alcohol withdrawal headaches will begin four to six hours after drinking and last around three days. In more severe withdrawal cases, debilitating headaches may last longer. People with alcohol use disorder should be monitored by a medical professional when withdrawing from alcohol. Moderate to heavy drinkers can also benefit from medical supervision in the acute withdrawal stage.

Alternatively, yogurt hydrates your body and can help with nausea by promoting gut health. Do your best to avoid common headache triggers like processed foods. It is common for the symptoms of withdrawal to become more severe over time until you are able to fully detox from alcohol and end the withdrawal process. For many, the symptoms of withdrawal get worse before they get better. However, most people are able to overcome most symptoms within a week of their last drink. Alcohol dependency poses a significant health concern across the United States, impacting up to 10% of adults across the country.

Treatments for Alcohol Withdrawal

The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal relate proportionately to the level of alcohol intake and the duration of the person’s recent drinking habit. 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. When going through alcohol withdrawal syndrome, people will often be dehydrated due to diarrhea or vomiting. Alcohol withdrawal headaches are one of the most common side effects of withdrawal in heavy drinkers. Headaches typically begin around six hours after the last drink and can last days or longer. Your healthcare provider will recommend and encourage treatment for alcohol use disorder.

But if you’re concerned that you’re drinking too much and you’re able to cut back, tapering could work for you. It is safe to taper off alcohol with the help of medically assisted detox. In fact, tapering is an effective way to reduce withdrawal symptoms for a safer and more bearable weaning process.

It becomes overexcited because there’s no more alcohol to slow it down. Ark Behavioral Health offers 100% confidential substance abuse assessment and treatment placement tailored to your individual needs. Yes, atypical antipsychotics such as quetiapine may be used to treat alcohol withdrawal, especially in patients who do not respond well to typical treatment options. Typical antipsychotics, such as haloperidol, are not used to treat alcohol withdrawal. If you’re addicted to alcohol and stop drinking, your brain will need time to adjust, and it’ll react adversely to the sudden change. If you’re otherwise healthy and can stop drinking and get treatment, the outlook is usually good.

If your home environment is not supportive for staying sober, talk with your doctor. Your doctor may be able to connect you with shelter programs for people recovering from alcohol addiction. If you drink daily, your body becomes dependent on alcohol over time. When this happens, your central nervous system can no longer adapt easily to the lack of alcohol.

1. You may need to get fluids intravenously, or through your veins, to prevent dehydration and medications to help ease your symptoms.
2. If you suddenly stop drinking or significantly reduce the amount of alcohol you drink, it can cause AWS.
3. For instance, applying a cold compress to the forehead or taking a warm shower may provide some level of temporary relief by soothing tense muscles and promoting relaxation.
4. This is alcohol withdrawal, and it causes uncomfortable physical and emotional symptoms.
5. By Sarah Bence, OTR/LBence is an occupational therapist with a range of work experience in mental healthcare settings.

You may seem like you’re drunk even though you’ve stopped drinking. Alcohol enhances the function of an amino acid called GABA, which helps the brain stay calm. With heavy alcohol use, the brain adjusts by producing less GABA naturally. Their job is to make sure that if you develop any worsening of symptoms, they get you to a hospital or call 911 immediately. The first goal of treatment is to keep you comfortable by managing your symptoms. Your doctor’s treatment goal is helping you stop drinking as quickly and safely as possible.

Symptoms of AWS are often treated with sedatives called benzodiazepines. The most prescribed benzodiazepine is chlordiazepoxide, which is only available as a generic in the United States. If you need help finding a primary care doctor, then check out our FindCare tool here. We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain. Withdrawal is different for everyone; there really is no “normal” and it can be hard to predict an individual person’s experience. Mild symptoms may appear similar to a hangover, but they last longer than 24 hours.