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Alcoholism Withdrawal
Alcoholism article By Mark Thiffault
The old alcoholism cliché of “I can stop anytime I want to” is most often marred by the severe symptoms of alcoholism withdrawal.
Even for someone with early-stage alcoholism, withdrawal can be bad enough to dissuade attempts to quit. Early-stage withdrawal includes anxiety, excessive sweating, trembling, and trouble sleeping. Nausea, diarrhea and aches and pains also make an appearance during early-stage withdrawal, but most symptoms should disappear within one week of halted drinking.
Alcoholism Withdrawal
People suffering from early-stage alcoholism who decide to quit drinking probably won’t require medication for their withdrawal symptoms, though going through detoxification supervised by a medical professional is recommended.
Long-time alcoholics will have a significantly worse time when going through withdrawal. End-stage alcoholism withdrawal is often characterized by uncontrollable shaking, or delirium tremens. Delirium tremens may be accompanied by panic attacks and hallucinations. Delirium tremens generally begin 3-5 days after a person takes their last drink, and can last up to seven days. Medical supervision is necessary.
Severe alcoholism withdrawal also usually includes fever, high blood pressure and rapid heart rate and may lead to seizures. Because the cardiovascular components and seizures are potentially life-threatening, not only is medical attention required, the patient may need to be given a sedative to help cope with the withdrawal.
Though alcoholism withdrawal is accompanied less than desirable conditions, it is important to remember that these conditions are very temporary and are preferable to the consequences of alcoholism.