Did you know that over 15 million adults in the United States suffer from an alcohol use disorder? Drinking every now and then can be fun and exciting when celebrating, but there comes a time when the line is crossed.
If you can’t seem to keep the bottle on the shelf, just like many others, you may be struggling with an alcohol use disorder. Continue reading to discover what alcohol withdrawal is and the symptoms to look for when detoxing:
What Is Alcohol Withdrawal?
Alcohol withdrawal occurs when a person who has consistently consumed alcohol over a long period of time, goes through a detox to help rid the body of all the built-up toxins and waste products. In certain cases, medication, observation, or even counseling may be required for a person to fully detox to overcome any physical or psychological symptoms.
Those who have consumed a higher quantity of alcohol and over a longer period of time, typically have a bigger challenge when detoxing and may suffer from more symptoms.
Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
Oftentimes, the first couple of days and weeks are the worst after putting the bottle down. People can suffer from a large number of side effects such as anxiety, nausea, vomiting, sweating, hallucinations, shakiness, and insomnia. During this time many people receive help from doctors and therapy centers to get medications or treatment to help them work through these symptoms.
Over time, your body and brain will begin to regulate themselves and start functioning normally again. This process may take several months to get to, and you may deal with side effects once again. Low appetite, anxiety, depression, and restlessness may be observed in this stage but often don’t last very long.
Time for a Detox
Every person may experience alcohol withdrawal differently, but detoxing is typically done in an inpatient or outpatient facility. Some people may even require around the clock observation if they were previously heavy users.
The first step when detoxing is to go through the intake. Intake is the process of a medical team reviewing your abuse problems and history so that they can get an understanding of your situation and how they can help you. You can learn about this facility to see how they can help make you comfortable and ease your symptoms of withdrawal.
The next phase involves medication. Often times, those going through alcohol withdrawal may need medications to help ease painful symptoms. The final step in detoxification is stabilization. This is the step where people can find a mind and body balance through therapy and counseling.
If you feel that you may need this sort of treatment to overcome a substance abuse problem, be sure to get help immediately.
Putting the Bottle Down
If you fear that you are suffering from an alcohol use disorder, it is important to find help so that you can end the suffering.
Alcohol withdrawal is a real thing that often prevents people from keeping the bottle on the shelf. Don’t be afraid to find support for this problem, there are people out there who want to help you!
Be sure to check out our health and fitness section to find more articles, like this one, that will help improve your quality of life and work actively towards a healthier one.
