The Basics of Alcohol Withdrawal

By: James Snow

www.RiseAboveAddiction.com

March 31, 2008

According to one recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine there are approximately 8 million alcohol dependant Americans¹. Of those 8 million, about 500,000 will require pharmacological intervention for withdrawal each year. So what is alcohol dependence? And what is alcohol withdrawal? What are the symptoms? When does it happen? Can it be treated? Hopefully, the answers to these questions will become clearer over the next few minutes.

            What is alcohol dependence? Alcohol dependence usually involves a pattern of using alcohol which begins to have real negative impact on the rest of your life. This can include clinically significant distress or impairment. Some of the features of alcohol dependence may include: tolerance to alcohol, withdrawal, excessive or unintended use, many failed attempts to cut back, spending a lot of your time trying to obtain alcohol, decrease or loss of social or recreational activities, and continued use even when you are aware of the unpleasant impact such use is having on your life.

            What is alcohol withdrawal? This is an important question because the symptoms of withdrawing from alcohol are perhaps the most dangerous of all drug withdrawals. The most serious of alcohol withdrawal symptoms are alcohol withdrawal related delirium and seizures. The delirium can start about 2-3 days after stopping or at least reducing the amount of alcohol consumed. Symptoms can include agitation, confusion, disorientation, and even fever. Seizures can happen within 7 to 36 hours after stopping drinking. The risk for seizures peaks at about 1 to 2 days after stopping drinking2. Anyone experiencing any of these symptoms should seek immediate medical help. More mild symptoms of withdrawal include shakes, irritation, and overall discomfort.

            Lastly, can alcohol withdrawal be treated? Yes, and it needs to be. As mentioned already, the effects of alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening. Alcoholics should seek immediate treatment for withdrawal. Many of the different treatments for alcohol withdrawal are primarily centered on preventing the life-threatening complications of alcohol withdrawal. This may include using a sedating class of drugs called benzodiazepines or antipsychotic drugs as well. Additional treatments are directed at controlling rapidly changing blood pressures, and treating for comfort as well. This should only be carried out under the strictest supervision of medical professionals trained in treating alcohol withdrawal.

This article should not be used as or interpreted as medical advice. Full legal disclaimer.

¹ Kosten, TR, O'Connor, PG. Management of drug and alcohol withdrawal. N Engl J Med 2003; 348:1786.

² Murphy, Michael J., Cowan, Ronald L. Blueprints Psychiatry. 4^th Edition.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. P. 32. 2007.

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