Alcohol Withdrawals|Withdrawal Symptoms.

Alcohol withdrawal or alcohol withdrawal syndrome refers to the condition and symptoms an alcoholic goes through when he abruptly stops drinking alcohol. When we say alcoholic, we mean a person who has been regularly drinking heavily and who is alcohol dependent.

Read alcoholism to know what we mean by an alcoholic. However, those who drink moderately daily will also experience withdrawal symptoms but the symptoms will be mild. Those who drink excessively but not daily will also experience withdrawal symptoms. It is the alcohol withdrawal in an alcoholic that is dangerous and can even be fatal.

Causes of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms.

Alcoholics develop alcohol tolerance and alcohol dependence as a result of which their system is so used to alcohol that abrupt withdrawal of alcohol leads to alcohol withdrawal syndrome. It is the nervous system which helps the body to adjust at times of stress. After the withdrawal of alcohol, the central nervous system is in a hyper excitable state due to the body’s efforts to adjust to the absence of alcohol which it has been so used to for many years. The symptoms of withdrawal are a manifestation of this adjustment.

Withdrawal Symptoms|Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal|Symptoms of Alcohol Detox.

The common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal also referred to as alcohol detox symptoms usually manifest after an alcohol withdrawal duration of 3 hours and when there are no remnants of alcohol in the blood. The less common and more severe symptoms manifest from the 3^rd day of alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal may involve psychological and/or physical symptoms. The alcohol withdrawal symptoms may be mild or severe. The intensity of withdrawal symptoms depend on a number of factors.

• Age of the person,
• Genetics of the person,
• Duration of the person’s alcoholism,
• Amount of liquor the person was consuming and the degree of alcoholism, and
• Presence of any associated disease or health disorder.

Alcohol Withdrawal Signs and Symptoms.

For better understanding, the symptoms are divided here into three stages according to their severity. About 90% of alcohol withdrawal patients experience mild to moderate symptoms. The more severe symptoms are reserved for the privileged 10%.

Stage one.

This stage includes those withdrawal symptoms which occur within an alcohol withdrawal duration of a few hours. Alcohol is present in blood, but has decreased to levels of 0 to 100mg. Symptoms of this stage include

• Insomnia – inability to sleep.

• loss of appetite,
• alcohol withdrawal shakes or tremors. This is a typical and early symptom of alcohol withdrawal. The more severe form of this symptom is seen in delirium tremens explained below under 3^rd stage.
• muscular weakness,
• an agitated state of mind,
• nightmares,
• emotional changes and
• an increased heart rate.

Stage two.

The symptoms of this stage occur 24 hours after drinks have been stopped. They are

• cold,  clammy and pale skin,
• sweating,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• headache,
• dilated pupils,
• upset stomach,
• alcohol withdrawal seizures.

Stage three.

These symptoms of stage three occur 48 to 72 hours after alcohol has been withdrawn. They include:

• Increased agitation.

• Fever.

• Delirium tremens is an acute episode of delirium which is seen usually 72 hours after stopping alcohol. It is the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal. Symptoms of delirium tremens are alcohol withdrawal seizure, tremors, nausea and vomiting, fast heart beat and hallucinations. If untreated, this condition can lead to death.

Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline|Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Timeline.

Alcohol withdrawal timeline refers to the duration of the withdrawal symptoms after the person has stopped drinking alcohol. It denotes for how long the withdrawal symptoms last after having stopped alcohol. There is however no way to predict how long the symptoms will last in a particular individual. It depends on how much the person has been drinking and for how long. It also depends on the constitution of the person’s body because different people respond differently to the effects of drinking alcohol.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can begin within a couple of hours of having stopped alcohol. They may last for months or even years. Time is the best healer and with time the symptoms decrease and eventually fade out.

Mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms present themselves in people who have been drinking less or moderately. Heavy and excessive drinkers present with severe symptoms which take a longer time to disappear. Alcohol withdrawal timeline therefore will vary and professional help is required for heavy drinkers who have given up on alcohol.

Protracted Withdrawal Syndrome.

This is the name given when the acute stage of alcohol withdrawal syndrome has subsided and certain symptoms persist but at a sub clinical level. This syndrome can last for almost a year. Symptoms of this syndrome are a craving for alcohol, nausea and vomiting, occasional headache, insomnia, disorientation and loss of interest in affairs and activities.

Our other related posts on Alcohol.

1) What is Alcohol.2) Alcohol Statistics.3) Alcohol units.4) Alcoholic and Alcoholism.5) Effects of alcohol.6) Alcohol Poisoning.7) Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome. Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal.9) Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.10) Treatment for Alcohol.11)Alcoholism Rehab.

Next: Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal.

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