Understanding Alcohol Withdrawal Addiction Treatment

Older individuals and those with compromised liver function also face an increased likelihood of developing severe withdrawal complications. During this period, close monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate is essential. Healthcare professionals might use medications such as benzodiazepines to alleviate symptoms, reduce the likelihood of seizures, and manage potential psychosis or hallucinations. For some individuals, supportive care in a clinical setting can make a major difference in preventing life-threatening complications.

How to Deal With Withdrawal Symptoms of Alcohol

This line is managed by Lumina, an esteemed addiction recovery institution with facilities nationwide. According to a study by Myrick & Anton, titled “Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal,” published in Alcohol Health & Research World (1998), benzodiazepines reduce withdrawal severity and seizure risk by up to 90%. Men are more likely to develop alcohol dependence due to higher tolerance, while women are at greater risk of alcohol-related harm because of lower body water content and slower alcohol metabolism. Wesurveyed 2,136 American adultswho either wanted to stop drinking alcohol or had already tried to quit (successfully or not). We asked them about their alcohol use, Substance abuse reasons for drinking, alcohol-related outcomes, health and more. Take our free, 5-minute alcohol misuse self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with an alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Health Conditions

• In addition to your physical health, your mental health can influence the duration of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
• Delirium tremens is a severe, life-threatening form of withdrawal that occurs in a minority of individuals but requires immediate intensive medical care.
• According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) (2023), medically supervised detoxification reduces the risk of severe complications and improves outcomes.
• Alcohol withdrawal will begin once the levels of alcohol in the bloodstream drop below what is normal for the person.

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a clinical diagnosis that relies heavily on the history and physical, which is also used to gauge disease severity. Symptoms usually begin within 6–12 hours of the last drink and can last for a few days. Individuals experiencing severe symptoms may require immediate treatment at the hospital treatment to minimize the risk of potential complications.

Treatment for alcohol use disorder

We’re here 24/7 to help guide you or your loved on through rehab and recovery. These patients often require large doses of benzodiazepines, increasing the risk of oversedation and respiratory depression. Ensure that resuscitative equipment is readily available (e.g., bag-mask ventilation, supplemental O2, advanced airway devices). Patients with AWS often have other disorders that also require urgent identification and treatment (e.g., alcoholic hepatitis, sepsis, traumatic brain injury, Wernicke encephalopathy, decompensated liver cirrhosis). Withdrawal is different for everyone, so some people will experience a few symptoms of withdrawal while others may experience many. AUD occurs when someone becomes psychologically or physically dependent on alcohol to get through their day or perform regular tasks.

Addiction Treatment

Each substance interacts differently with alcohol, and using additional substances can complicate withdrawal, potentially leading to more severe health issues. Medical supervision is crucial to safely manage alcohol withdrawal and any co-occurring substance use. While acute withdrawal symptoms typically resolve within a week, some people experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), where symptoms like mood swings and sleep disturbances can persist for months. Patients presenting with alcohol withdrawal syndrome should receive thiamine and folate supplementation as they are often nutritionally deficient.

• Alcohol rehab counselors provide support during the highs and lows of alcohol withdrawal.
• A doctor may also need to administer fluids intravenously to prevent dehydration and correct electrolyte abnormalities.
• Those who may experience severe withdrawal symptoms should be sure to seek professional help, as detoxing alone can be very dangerous.

Alcohol withdrawal refers to the physical and psychological symptoms that occur when a dependent individual reduces or stops alcohol consumption after prolonged heavy use. Choosing between inpatient and outpatient treatment depends on the severity of the withdrawal symptoms, the individual’s home environment, and personal circumstances. Longer and heavier alcohol use generally leads to more severe withdrawal symptoms and alcohol withdrawal syndrome symptoms a longer recovery timeline.

• Alcohol withdrawal can be a potentially life-threatening event if not handled or treated properly, so it’s important to knowwhat helps with alcohol withdrawal.
• Full recovery is a continuous process that involves ongoing commitment to health and well-being.
• The obstacles you come across during your recovery journey can be challenging, which is why ongoing support and lifestyle changes are so important.
• If an individual can hang on during that time frame, the symptoms will resolve just as quickly as they appeared.
• If you want medical supervision and support from empathetic professionals, contact Sunlight Recovery today.
• Physicians assess the patient’s history of alcohol use, previous withdrawal episodes, and current symptoms to determine withdrawal severity.

History and Physical

Individuals with a history of delirium tremens, seizures, or long-term heavy alcohol use face a higher risk of severe or prolonged withdrawal symptoms. Older adults over 65 experience extended withdrawal due to slower metabolism and increased health risks. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, brain lesions, and liver dysfunction worsen symptoms by disrupting bodily systems.