Understanding the Stages of Alcohol Withdrawal: A Comprehensive Guide

side effects a recovering alcoholic

Even though fewer people are drinking alcohol these days, alcohol misuse is still a major issue worldwide. Alcoholism is an illness that impacts those suffering from it in many different ways. Similarly, when individuals stop drinking to begin recovery, the effects on their bodies can also vary greatly.

Nevertheless, the recovery journey can be divided into three stages, which differ in timing and intensity, although not everyone will go through every stage. This article will look into the different stages of alcohol withdrawal and the side effects a recovering alcoholic may face while going through withdrawal.

What Is Alcohol Withdrawal?

One of the most obvious signs of being dependent on alcohol is going through withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal refers to the changes that happen in your body when a person stops drinking suddenly after heavy and long-term alcohol use. Over time, the body and brain adapt to how often and much someone drinks.

If you suddenly stop drinking, your body loses the effects of alcohol and needs time to get used to functioning without it. This adjustment period leads to the unpleasant symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, like tremors, trouble sleeping, nausea, and feeling anxious.

Besides causing unpleasant side effects, alcohol withdrawal syndrome may also result in serious and life-threatening health risks. No matter if you’ve been consuming alcohol for a few weeks, several months, or even many years, you could experience withdrawal symptoms.

Seeking professional help from a specialized alcohol rehab center is strongly advised for anyone planning to stop drinking, as withdrawal is highly dangerous.

The Causes Of Alcohol Withdrawal

Stages of Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol impacts many functions in the body, resulting in withdrawal symptoms once someone tries to quit. To start, heavy drinking overstimulates and agitates the central nervous system.

Alcohol works as a sedative for the brain by slowing down certain neurotransmitters, making people feel calm and relaxed after drinking. This is why people initially feel happier, more friendly, and less stressed when they drink.

For someone who drinks heavily over a long time, their brain is constantly exposed to alcohol’s depressive effects. Over time, this makes the person reliant on alcohol. Once the body becomes used to alcohol, it needs larger amounts of it to achieve the same effects.

If someone stops drinking suddenly, the neurotransmitters are no longer suppressed by alcohol, forcing the brain to try and adapt to the sudden chemical changes. This leads to the unpleasant and harmful effects of withdrawal, which are entirely different from the positive sensations people associate with drinking.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be different for everyone, depending on the person. A lot of people feel unsure about stopping drinking because they worry about the discomfort withdrawal symptoms might bring, which can seem overwhelming.

It’s worth remembering, though, that addiction treatment experts can prescribe medications to ease the pain and discomfort. By making withdrawal symptoms less severe, it becomes easier to concentrate on recovery and improving your health.

Alcohol Withdrawal: Mild to Severe Symptoms

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms might start showing up as soon as two hours after you stop drinking. These symptoms usually reach their worst within the first 24 to 48 hours of quitting alcohol.

During this time, you could face some of the hardest withdrawal issues, like trouble sleeping, a fast heartbeat, shifts in blood pressure, excessive sweating, body tremors, and fever.

While some people have only mild symptoms, others can go through much more severe withdrawal effects. One example of this is delirium tremens, which is one of the most intense forms of alcohol withdrawal.

It can show up in the first 48 hours after you stop drinking and comes with confusion, severe trembling, seeing or hearing things that aren’t there, and extremely high blood pressure. Though delirium tremens doesn’t happen to everyone, it can be very dangerous and even life-threatening.

People who have been heavy drinkers and quit suddenly could face a wide range of serious symptoms, making it important to have medical help during the detox process.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually appear based on this timeline:

6 to 12 hours post-ingestion

• Anxiety

• Agitation

• Shaking

• Headaches

• Nausea and vomiting

12 to 24 hours post-ingestion

• Hand tremors

• Disorientation

• Seizures

48 hours post-ingestion

• Insomnia

• Seizures

• High blood pressure

• Tactile, visual, and auditory hallucinations

• High fever and excessive sweating

• Delirium tremens

Signs of alcohol withdrawal usually get better within five days, although a small percentage of individuals might experience lingering symptoms.

How severe and long-lasting alcohol withdrawal symptoms are depends on various factors, such as how often someone drinks, the amount of alcohol consumed, the duration of drinking habits, their medical background, and any co-existing health issues.

Someone is at a higher risk of having intense withdrawal symptoms if they have misused drugs along with alcohol.

Understanding the Stages of Alcohol Withdrawal

Understanding the Stages of Alcohol Withdrawal

Stage 1

The side effects classified as Stage 1 typically emerge as the first symptoms to develop around 8 to 10 hours following the last alcoholic beverage consumed. These symptoms are considered the least severe but can still render the withdrawal process an uncomfortable and challenging experience.

The side effects that are most frequently experienced include nausea, anxiety, and insomnia, although heart palpitations, vomiting, depression, and mood swings can also manifest during this time. While these symptoms can be quite bothersome, they are generally not dangerous to the person and will gradually pass as time goes by.

Stage 2

The more serious and intense stage 2 symptoms generally show up after the initial stage effects and typically manifest one or two days following the last drink consumed.

Some potential side effects may include increased blood pressure levels, an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), a higher-than-normal body temperature, and an accelerated breathing rate.

In addition to these, the recovering individual might display more prominent mental issues compared to stage 1, with confusion, irritability, and quick mood swings being quite common occurrences.

For the majority of individuals, these particular symptoms typically do not require medical intervention. However, for those who are at high risk, especially individuals with cardiovascular health problems, it would be prudent to seek medical advice if these concerning symptoms happen to occur.

It is always very sensible to err on the side of caution and to reach out to a health practitioner with any specific concerns.

Stage 3

Although less common, stage 3 symptoms can pose significant dangers and even be life-threatening if they go untreated. The most commonly known of these side effects is delirium tremens, often known as the DTs or the shakes.

While the precise cause of the DTs remains unknown, it typically happens in those who are the heaviest long-term drinkers and suddenly stop drinking. Hallucinations, extreme mental confusion, high fever, and, at times, seizures may accompany Delirium Tremens.

The first sign of stage 3 symptoms is generally not observed until three days after the last drink, making it the last stage to manifest, and it can even appear as late as 10 days afterward.

For the majority of individuals experiencing withdrawal, the side effects tend to peak about two days after alcohol has last entered their body.

Although, as would logically be anticipated, more severe withdrawal symptoms are associated with those who consume the most alcohol and have been drinking for the longest periods.

However, recovery truly is very much unique to each individual, and it is crucial that anyone who is considering stopping drinking seeks medical advice if they believe they may be at risk of experiencing the more serious symptoms.

How Alcohol Withdrawal is Diagnosed

Your doctor will examine your medical history, inquire about your symptoms, and execute a thorough physical exam

Your doctor will examine your medical history, inquire about your symptoms, and execute a thorough physical exam. Some specific signs that your doctor will examine for include:

• hand tremors

• dehydration

• irregular heart rate

• fever

Your doctor may also conduct a toxicology screen. This particular test measures how much alcohol is present in your body. Toxicology screening is usually carried out using a blood or urine sample and can show if any additional substances are present in your body.

If you are receiving inpatient treatment, your doctor might conduct toxicology screens multiple times to keep track of your alcohol levels.

Other tests that may be requested to assess your dependency on alcohol or the severity of withdrawal symptoms include:

Blood Magnesium Level

A simple blood test can evaluate your blood or serum magnesium level. Low magnesium levels can signal the presence of alcoholism or indicate severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Maintaining normal magnesium levels ensures the heart functions properly and effectively.

Blood Phosphate Level

A simple blood test can also assess and evaluate this condition. Low phosphate levels might also suggest possible alcoholism.

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel

This specific blood test requires fasting beforehand. Abnormal results may indicate potential alcoholism issues. It can also give doctors insights into your overall health, including liver and kidney functioning.

ECG

An ECG, also known as an electrocardiograph, looks for irregularities in the electrical functioning of your heart. Since some people who are going through alcohol withdrawal might experience heart palpitations or arrhythmias, this test can help evaluate heart health and gauge the overall seriousness of withdrawal symptoms.

EEG

An EEG, which stands for electroencephalogram, can detect electrical irregularities in your brain. This can be utilized to assess individuals going through significant alcohol withdrawal, particularly those who are at risk of or are currently experiencing seizures.

How To Safely Treat Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can shift quickly and violently

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can shift quickly and violently – you might find yourself experiencing minor symptoms or even extremely severe side effects in just a few short hours. Many alcohol treatment programs are dedicated to helping individuals overcome their drinking problems, no matter how minor or how serious those issues might be.

Specialized rehabilitation facilities offer a wide range of benefits to those who are battling alcohol addiction. For example, treatment providers can assist in relieving some of the most painful and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, along with providing support 24/7 throughout the entire recovery process.

Since there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach when it comes to treating alcohol abuse, recovery programs generally include:

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient rehabilitation centers provide a safe, supervised setting for those suffering from alcoholism. This is the most intensive treatment, requiring 24-hour care and often lasting 30, 60, or 90 days.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient rehabilitation enables patients to attend to their daily responsibilities while recovering. This strategy is best suited for people with milder kinds of alcoholism because they will be exposed to drinking triggers and other factors.

Medication-Assisted Therapy

Many treatment clinics use medication-assisted therapy to alleviate uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Certain prescribed drugs can help with alcohol withdrawal, allowing patients to focus on other parts of recovery.

Individual Counseling

Alcohol rehab counselors offer help through the highs and lows of alcohol withdrawal. Counselors also seek underlying causes of alcohol addiction and teach patients how to deal with various issues.

Support Groups

Recovery lasts long after therapy. Support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon, provide an opportunity to discuss treatment goals and concerns with other persons in alcohol recovery. This will motivate you to stay sober.

Following the alcohol withdrawal stage, you will go to further treatment methods, activities, and programs. These will give you the tools and resources to avoid triggers, continue your recovery, and live a healthy life after treatment.

Prevention of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

The most efficient strategy to avoid alcohol withdrawal symptoms is to abstain or drink in moderation.

Moderate drinking is officially defined as having one drink or less per day for women and two drinks or less per day for males.

However, if a person already has an alcohol use disorder, they can assist in preventing some withdrawal symptoms by consulting with a doctor about safe withdrawal.

A family history of alcoholism, depression, other mental health issues, and genetics are all risk factors for alcohol use disorder.

Those who suspect they have an alcohol use disorder or are dependent on alcohol should seek treatment.

Don’t Let Fear Keep You From Getting Help

Even though alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous and painful, it is an important step toward recovery. When done under the supervision of medical professionals, alcohol withdrawal is a much easier and safer process. Please reach out to us today to learn more about your alternatives.

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