Detox and Withdrawal Symptoms for Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the condition that needs to be diagnosed when the pattern of alcohol consumption is problematic enough to lead to serious stress. The treatment of AUD differs from one person to another because the needs are different for everyone. The symptoms are different for different individuals, and the care they need depends on the severity of the addiction. You can read more on that in this url.

Individuals with AUD face withdrawal symptoms when the drinking is stopped suddenly. The effects of this withdrawal on the mind and body can be dangerous and uncomfortable. This is where the need for alcohol detox comes into the picture.

What exactly is detox?

The first stage of the treatment of alcoholism is detox. Alcohol gets flushed from the body completely during this time. It is not the sole treatment for alcoholism, but it is certainly the first step of recovery for the ones who have an alcohol addiction.

Alcohol is a kind of depressant that the body starts relying on over the course of years of alcohol abuse. The brain stops the production of particular chemicals that it gets only from alcohol, which makes the individual dependent on drinking. Thus, the body takes so long to adjust, and withdrawal symptoms start showing up.

Withdrawal symptoms as a part of the detox

When an addict stops drinking suddenly, they start developing withdrawal symptoms within six to twenty-four hours of having the last drink. It starts while alcohol is still in the blood.

The withdrawal symptoms can range from life-threatening to mild in their intensity. The intensity of the withdrawal symptoms also depends on the severity and longevity of the AUD. For instance, the ones who have been drinking heavily for years will have serious symptoms like delirium tremens or seizures.

The common withdrawal symptoms that people experience are:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Hallucinations
• Sleep disturbances
• Shakiness in the hands
• Unstable changes in heart rate and blood pressure
• Delirium tremens (a severe disorder that makes a person confused, upset, and restless, and causes seizures, hallucinations, and fever.)

Do you need to go for a detox program?

If your body needs alcohol to feel okay, then it is time for you to get medical help. Going through detox entails much more than simply having strong willpower, and leaving alcohol completely without getting any medical help is not recommended. Withdrawals symptoms can be so severe that it puts a life at risk. It is still a huge challenge to take on when the symptoms are not as severe.

Getting enrolled in a detox program means getting the support that you need for the withdrawal. It usually involves medications that help in easing the symptoms as well as extra care for mental and medical health issues.

The withdrawal symptoms will last at least a week or two, and these usually hit the hardest within one or three days of quitting alcohol. A detox program will certainly help you in this regard, and you’ve higher chances of sticking to your aim when you have support.