Withdrawal from alcohol

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome refers to symptoms that can occur when a person who used to drink a lot of alcohol, or suffered from alcohol addiction ceases drinking.

The goal of treatment is to treat the symptoms that may occur as soon as posible, to prevent complications.

The person will be hospitalized for constant monitoring. This will include blood pressure monitoring, blood monitoring body, monitoring respiratory rate, heart rate and levels of electrolytes and fluids.

Many patients are given fluids intravenously.

Treatment may include sedating patients until symptoms of alcohol withdrawal pass. Benzodiazepines are administered to reduce subsequent symptoms.

Hallucinations are treated with antipsychotic drugs. After discharge from hospital abstinence from alcohol is recommended and seeking of a support group.

Alcohol withdrawal refers to changes that occur in the body when a person suddenly stop drinking after a long period in which the patient consumed large quantities of alcohol. Specific symptoms include: chills, insomnia, anxiety and other mental and physical manifestations.

Alcohol delays the development of the processes in the brain (depressant or sedative). Among people who consumed high amounts of alcohol over a long period of time, the brain is almost continuously exposed to the depressant effects of alcohol. In time, the brain adapts to the production of chemicals in larger quantities than normal.

In case of sudden cessation of alcohol, the brain reacts imediately. Not surprisingly, alcohol withdrawal symptoms are common symptoms that occur when the brain is hyperexcitable (hyperstimulated). One of the most dangerous types of alcohol withdrawal symptoms is delirium tremens (DTS), when the brain is unable to regulate the production of chemicals. This causes a temporary confusion and leads to dangerous changes in how the brain controls movement and breathing processes. Body's vital signs like heart rate or blood pressure are affected, there is even the risk of heart attack, stroke or death.

In general, the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms increase in intensity depending on the amount and length of time in which alcohol was consumed constantly. After just 12 hours after cessation of consumption minor alcohol withdrawal symptoms appear, although patients still have a fairly high level of alcohol in the blood.

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:

- Shaking of hands;

- Perspiration;

- Mild anxiety;

- Nausea and / or vomiting;

- Headache;

- Insomnia.

After 12-24 hours, some patients may experience visual hallucinations, auditory or tactile that disappear, usually within 48 hours. All of these symptoms are called alcohol hallucinations and are not associated with DTS.

The risk of seizures is quite high in patients who have undergone multiple courses of rehab. DTS usually occurs after 48 to 72 hours after cessation of alcohol consumption. Risk factors for DST include: medical history containing previous crises due to alcohol withdrawal, acute illness, abnormal liver function and age.

The main symptoms of alcohol withdrawal that usually manifests itself especially in 5th day:

- Disorientation, confusion and severe anxiety;

- Hallucinations (mainly visual);

- Perspiration;

- Convulsions;

- Hypertension;

- Cardiac arrhythmia;

- Severe tremor;

- Low body temperature.