Alcohol withdrawal

Most people think about heroin when they think of withdrawals. We’ve all seen the movies about the heroin addict sweating and writhing in pain. There are also movies that show the reality of alcoholism, but most people see only  commercials that highlight the positive aspects of alcohol. Even when people know about alcohol withdrawal, they usually associate it with skid row bums. I’ve seen a bank owner worth tens of millions of dollars in life threatening withdrawals and countless other examples of alcohol withdrawal far away from skid row.

Actually, withdrawal from alcohol is more dangerous than opiate withdrawal. Opiate withdrawal is normally not life threatening, but alcohol withdrawal is life threatening — no alcoholic should try to quit cold turkey. Alcohol withdrawal can be so dangerous they have a medical term for it — Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS). Below are symptoms of AWS:

• Anxiety
• Tremors
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Headache
• Increased heart rate
• Sweating
• Irritability
• Confusion
• Insomnia
• Nightmares

The most serious type of AWS is delirium tremens (DTs)

• Extreme confusion and agitation
• Fever
• Seizures
• Tactile hallucinations (e.g., itching, burning, and numbness)
• Auditory hallucinations (e.g., hearing non-existent sounds)
• Visual hallucinations (e.g., seeing non-existent images)

It’s best to get medical help if you’re addicted to alcohol and have been drinking for a long period of time. Even if you have been drinking in binge patterns, the symptoms can progress over time. This is from MedLine Plus:

If you have mild-to-moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms, you can often be treated in an outpatient setting. You will need someone to commit to staying with you during this process and who can keep an eye on you. Daily visits to your health care provider are often needed until you are stable.

Treatment usually includes:

• Sedative drugs to help ease withdrawal symptoms
• Blood tests
• Patient and family counseling to discuss the long-term issue of alcoholism
• Testing and treatment for other medical problems linked to alcohol use

It is important that the patient goes to a living situation that helps support them in staying sober. Some areas have housing options that provide a supportive environment for those trying to stay sober.

Permanent and life-long abstinence from alcohol is the best treatment for those who have gone through withdrawal.

If you have a problem with alcohol, you should let your physician know and ask for help.