What is Alcohol Withdrawal? Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
People who are addicted to alcohol experience a range of symptoms when they stop or reduce their intake of alcohol. These symptoms are known as withdrawal symptoms. The severity of symptoms may vary from person to person. In a few cases, the symptoms can be extremely severe and life-threatening. Thus, people face difficulty in stopping or reducing the consumption of alcohol once they get addicted.
Common Withdrawal Symptoms
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Delirium
- Excessive Sweating
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Tremors
- Stomach Upset
- Hyperthermia
How Common is Alcohol Withdrawal in People?
Alcohol withdrawal is very common, especially in people with alcohol use disorder. Alcohol use disorder is a medical condition where a person cannot resist the temptation of drinking. Studies suggest that at least half of the people with alcohol addiction experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Causes of Alcohol Withdrawal
Prolonged use of certain substances makes the body addicted. Gradually, the body develops a type of physiological adaptation to the substance. Withdrawal symptoms are the body's reaction when the amount of intake is reduced. A lot of research has been done to identify the exact causes of alcohol withdrawal. But, no concrete conclusions could be drawn. However, some factors have been identified that could increase the chances of alcohol withdrawal. These are as follows:
- Poor Mental Health: It is observed that people with poor mental health are at higher risk of developing alcohol withdrawal. Medical conditions such as stress, trauma, attention deficit, post-traumatic disorder, and hyperactivity disorder can degrade mental health and increase the risk.
- Genetics: People with a medical history of alcohol addiction have a higher risk of developing alcohol withdrawal.
Know the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
Reducing the intake of alcohol affects health severely and leads to mood swings and irritation. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are more reflected in the mental state of a person than the physical state of the body. Alcohol and nicotine withdrawal symptoms are closely related to each other. Alcohol addiction increases the urge to smoke. It leads to unregulated nicotine intake. Common alcohol and nicotine withdrawal symptoms are as follows:
- Loss of Concentration: The most prominent symptoms include loss of concentration where a person cannot focus on his social and financial responsibilities.
- Social Behavioral Changes: People with alcohol addiction start ignoring friends and family members. These are some of the early symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Gradually, the relationships are compromised and the person finds himself isolated.
- Ignorance: Prolonged and unregulated intake of alcohol makes a person ignorant. The priorities are shifted from family and work towards the habit of drinking. Most of the time, they remain engaged in drinking and suffer from hangovers.
- Reduced Work Efficiency: A person with addiction is not able to work properly. It reflects on his productivity and efficiency. Degradation in performance at work is easily noticeable.
- Craving: People find it difficult to limit their intake of alcohol. Due to the intense urge for beverages with alcohol, they end up drinking all the time.
- Lack of Control: The person finds it difficult to control the urge to drink, despite knowing the consequences. The addiction to alcohol takes full control over the mind and prevents it from thinking logically.
- Isolation: Alcoholic people tend to isolate themselves from social gatherings and start to avoid friends and relatives.
Common Risk Factors for Alcohol Withdrawal
There are no definite factors that can determine the risk of withdrawal in an alcohol-addicted person. There are no physical or medical conditions that can be used as a parameter to predict the occurrence of alcohol withdrawal. However, some factors have been recognized that may elevate the risk of alcohol withdrawal symptoms in a person.
- Poor physical or medical health
- Addiction to other substances
- Unhealthy lifestyle
- Loneliness
- Old age
- Coexisting medications
Diagnosing Alcohol Withdrawal at Rehab Centre in Gurgaon
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome can be easily diagnosed at hospitals and rehabilitation centers by medical experts. An expert can determine the withdrawal symptoms by examining the following:
- Medical history
- Physical health
- History of alcohol addiction
- Associated symptoms
Some medical tests including blood tests and EKG (electrocardiogram) are conducted to determine the intensity of symptoms. The tests are also helpful in identifying any issues with the liver, heart, and other body organs that may lead to further complications.
Treatments for Alcohol Withdrawal at Rehabilitation Centre in Gurgaon
Treatment for alcohol withdrawal depends on the type and severity of symptoms. The treatment includes suitable medications and therapies to help you come out of addiction and lead a normal life. A lot of rehabilitation centers have been established to help alcohol addicts. They offer a healthy environment with necessary medications and programs to motivate people who are addicted to alcohol and other substances.
Journal Prevention of Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms can be prevented by keeping yourself away from alcohol intake. You can also take the help of the professionals at rehabilitation centers and hospitals to get out of alcohol addiction. Proper and timely treatment with the help of experts can help you to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
