Are you a heavy drinker who now wants to quit? That is one of the best decisions you can make for your health. However, you must be aware of one thing, and that is severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS).
People who have been consuming alcohol excessively for the past weeks, months, or even years can experience a set of symptoms if they decide to quit suddenly. These symptoms can be extreme and even life-threatening at times.
Today, we will delve deeper into alcohol withdrawal syndrome and its symptoms while taking a look at at-home detox programs that can help you say goodbye to alcohol.
Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe. The most common signs of this syndrome include:
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Tremors
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Confusion
- Headaches
- Nightmares
- Hyperthermia
- Hallucinations
- Mood changes
- Rapid breathing
- Heart palpitations
- High blood pressure
- Gastrointestinal disturbances
Signs of severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome can start six hours after your last drink and persist for weeks. They can worsen over time.
So, it’s crucial to seek immediate help if you experience any of the symptoms and alert your regular healthcare providers if you’re receiving alcohol withdrawal syndrome treatment at home.
Timeline of AWS Symptoms
The timeline of alcohol withdrawal symptoms in most people is as follows:
- 6-12 hours after your last drink, you may experience mild symptoms such as anxiety, headaches, shakes, and sleeplessness
- 12-48 hours after your last drink, you may experience moderate signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, including hallucinations and seizures
- 48-72 hours after your last drink, you may experience severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome symptoms, also known as delirium tremens (DT)
What Causes Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome?
Why do you even experience these symptoms? It turns out that alcohol has a depressive effect on the body. It can alter nerve messages and slow down cognitive function.
When you drink heavily for a period, your brain becomes used to functioning on alcohol. Stopping consumption will disrupt the central nervous system.
This dependence on alcohol and the brain’s agitation without it causes you to experience the different symptoms of severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome Treatment at Home
You can alleviate the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome at home. Depending on how much alcohol you used to consume or for how long, your detox timeline will vary.
The most crucial factor to consider when doing an alcohol detox at home is to do it under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional to stay safe.
Here are some other tips to help you quit drinking and avoid severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Take Your Prescribed Medications
Your doctor may prescribe you medications to help manage the symptoms. One of the most common drug types physicians recommend for AWS is benzodiazepines.
This anti-anxiety medication helps alleviate the more severe signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. However, abusing this drug is another issue that can arise and require benzodiazepine detox. So, you must be careful when taking this medication.
Other meds your doctor may prescribe you include:
- Vitamins
- Beta-blockers
- Anticonvulsants
- Alpha-adrenergic agonists
Have a Support System
Navigating negative thoughts and impulses can be challenging with severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome. You will need a reliable support system to turn to in these stressful times.
Identify family members or close friends you can count on for emotional support. You can also find help from sober companions through various support groups and programs. Your recovery journey doesn’t have to be a lonely one.
Take Care of Other Aspects of Your Health
Receiving alcohol withdrawal syndrome treatment at home is not just about staying off drinks. It’s also about taking care of other aspects of your health, such as fitness and nutrition.
Battling severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome can be a dehydrating process. So, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. You can also drink other fluids like mocktails, milk, and tea. Pay mind to your diet as well. Eat nutritious foods and healthy snacks to satisfy cravings.
Don’t forget to exercise regularly and get enough rest. Addressing the signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome requires a comprehensive approach, and the only way to do that is to keep your body healthy.
Reduce Stress
Taking care of your mental health is another necessity. To avoid stress while dealing with severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome, you can:
- Meditate
- Read a book
- Practice yoga
- Take a warm bath
- Listen to calming music
Have a Plan for Addressing Relapse
Whether you receive alcohol withdrawal syndrome treatment at home or an outpatient center, you will face the risk of relapse.
Relapse is an expected part of the process that can happen to any recovering individual. The best way to face impulses and avoid relapsing is to have a plan. This aftercare planning is just as vital as the detox itself.
Even if you do relapse, the crucial thing to remember is that you can recover from it. Write down a list of why you decided to quit drinking in the first place and revisit that list whenever you hit a bump in the road to recovery.
Prevent Severe Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
The best way to prevent alcohol withdrawal syndrome is to moderate your drinking.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends the following limits for alcohol consumption:
- Maximum two drinks per day for men
- Maximum one drink per day for women
Drinking more than the recommended amounts translates to alcohol misuse and can make you susceptible to experiencing the signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome when you decide to take a break.
Quit Alcohol With Concierge Home Detox
Eliminating alcohol from your daily routine may be a challenging process. However, it is possible and can significantly turn your life around.
If you want to quit drinking and fight through severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome, Concierge Home Detox can help!
Our team of registered nurses and healthcare professionals offers unparalleled withdrawal and recovery solutions to help you manage your symptoms and detox your body.
Call us now to start your recovery journey and receive alcohol withdrawal syndrome treatment at home!
