It is important to remember that AWS or alcohol withdrawal syndrome happens when heavy drinkers stop consuming alcohol or reduce overall intake. It is a problem that can lead to both emotional and physical symptoms, including nausea, fatigue, and anxiety.
Some symptoms can lead to seizures and hallucinations, which can be life-threatening and require medical supervision.
The symptoms and signs of withdrawal syndrome will happen between six hours or a few days after the last consumption. The most common include nausea, anxiety, headache, vomiting, tremors, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, insomnia, and confusion.
Remember that side effects can worsen for some people, which you will notice when you reach a low alcohol threshold.
A most problematic syndrome is DT or delirium tremens, which come with extreme agitation, confusion, fever, hallucinations, and seizures.
If you notice severe symptoms, we recommend you to call an ER or go for help because heart disturbances, hallucinations, and high fever can lead to significant issues.
That is why you should check out more about the Skyward Missouri City location, which will help you deal with potential side effects and detoxification under medical supervision.
Reasons for Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
Excessive consumption will create habits and irritations within your nervous system. Therefore, if you are drinking daily, your body and brain will become dependent on alcohol after a while.
As a result, your central nervous system cannot handle the days without alcohol intake. When you stop with the consumption, the body will urge you to consume it as soon as possible, which will create AWS.
Remember that symptoms are more likely to happen to children. However, teenagers also enjoy binge drinking, which is why they can also experience symptoms.
According to CDC, heavy drinking includes more than fifteen shots weekly for men and eight for women. One of the most common aspects of heavy consumption is binging, which happens every once when people get drunk in a short period.
How to Diagnose AWS?
When visiting a doctor, he/she will check out your medical history, conduct a physical examination and ask about your symptoms.
The most common signs will be transparent and visible, and they include:
- Fever
- Dehydration
- Irregular heart rate
- Hand tremors
Still, a doctor may conduct a toxicology screen to determine the amount of alcohol within your organism. We can differentiate a few questions that will help others measure your AWS and the severity of symptoms. The scale will measure these symptoms:
- Inability to think clearly
- Auditory disturbances
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Vomiting and nausea
- Headache
- Tremor
- Tactile disturbances
- Uncontrollable sweating
How to Treat Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome?
You should know that treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms. Some people can enjoy home treatments, while others with severe conditions may require inpatient rehabs where they will be under constant supervision and hospital settings.
That way, doctors can deal with life-threatening symptoms such as seizures and delirium tremens.
The main treatment goal is to help you manage your symptoms and stay comfortable throughout the process. Another step is to consider counseling that will help you understand why you should stop with consumption.
That way, you can stay safe and sober in the future and prevent relapses.
- Home Care – If you are experiencing mild symptoms, you can rest assured and handle them from home. Of course, someone should be next to you to check out your condition and prevent potential relapses. They will ensure that your symptoms are not worsening and call the hospital in case something happens. Besides, they must help you reach counseling appointments, visit doctors for routine blood tests and test you for alcohol-related problems. If the home environment is not practical for remaining sober, you should talk with the doctor to recommend inpatient rehab to help you with addiction.
- Hospitalization – In case you are experiencing severe symptoms, you should visit an inpatient rehab that will help you manage complications and monitor your condition. At the same time, you may get fluids from veins to prevent potential dehydration and take meds to help you deal with symptoms.
When it comes to medications they will use, the most common ones include benzodiazepines, including lorazepam, diazepam, alprazolam, and clonazepam.
Still, benzos come with dependence risk as well, which is something you should remember. Therefore, you should talk about potential risks with your primary care doctor or supervising staff to follow instructions.
We recommend you to visit this site: https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/alcohol to learn more about alcohol abuse.
Besides, some supplements can help you replace depleted nutrients and vitamins due to alcohol consumption. As soon as you finish with withdrawal, you will have to consume additional meds and supplements to address nutritional deficiencies that may happen.
Generally, most people that suffer from AWS will stop drinking and recover as a result. Of course, you must change your perspective, get proper treatment, and ensure a healthy lifestyle and habits.
Of course, some symptoms may continue months after stopping, including fatigue, irritability, and sleep disturbances.
In case you had delirium tremens, the problem can be fatal. Therefore, you should seek immediate medical attention if you notice severe side effects. The faster you start treating them, the higher are chances of success and avoiding potential complications.
The simplest way to prevent this problem is to avoid consuming alcohol excessively. Still, if you have reached a point of dependency, you should seek medical care and counseling to learn how to stop this habit.
Your main goal should be to decrease dependency gradually and safely, which will help you ensure a healthy lifestyle and enjoyment.
