The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can cause terrible pain, disorientation, and even death. Alcohol is a strong nervous system depressant, and if you’ve used alcohol regularly for a while, stopping suddenly can be a dangerous endeavor.
Anyone looking to quit their alcohol use should seek an alcohol addiction treatment program to ensure their safety and guarantee their best recovery chances.
Call 781.412.1488 today to start alcohol treatment at A Better State in New Hampshire.
Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
Since alcohol affects the central nervous system, the signs of alcohol withdrawal on the body’s functioning can be widespread. These alcohol withdrawal symptoms can vary in severity and, in some cases, have life-threatening consequences. The signs of alcohol withdrawal include:
- Tremors and shakes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Insomnia
- Profuse sweating
- Headache
- Anxiety
These effects will typically occur for anyone with a drinking problem and can be helped with medications and compassionate care. But these aren’t the only symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. People with a severe drinking problem can experience the following symptoms as well:
- Hallucinations
- Confusion
- High blood pressure
- Elevated heart rate
- Seizures
- Delusions
The seizures associated with alcohol withdrawal symptoms have the potential to be deadly and can be prevented with appropriate medical care.
Wet Brain
In addition, some people with severe drinking problems may experience the rare brain disorder known as “wet brain.” This term refers to Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, a severe thiamine deficiency that can cause permanent brain damage.
The primary symptoms of the wet brain are confusion, hallucinations, and psychosis—but if caught early enough by medical professionals, this terrible disorder can be reversed.
Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment
Seeking alcohol withdrawal treatment with medical professionals is the only way to ensure your safety while detoxing from alcohol. Attending a medical detox center will connect you with a team of addiction and medical specialists who can control withdrawal symptoms, prescribe medications to prevent the serious long-term consequences of alcohol use, and make your detox much more comfortable.
Alcohol detox usually involves providing targeted medications to calm the overactive nervous system during detox. This can help prevent seizures and some of the other severe effects of alcohol withdrawal.
In addition, thiamine may be provided for people at risk of the wet brain. This essential vitamin is usually deficient in people with an alcohol use disorder and can reverse the course of this condition progressing.
Your Outpatient Treatment Options
After detox, it’s important to seek an addiction treatment center that can help provide the tools for long-term recovery. Seeking outpatient treatment allows you to receive the best evidence-based care for your alcohol use disorder while allowing you to return home in the evening and sleep in your bed.
Outpatient treatment is less restrictive than residential programs and can help provide you with tools for dealing with life’s everyday stresses and responsibilities.
Outpatient treatment has several different levels:
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Outpatient program (OP)
These three outpatient options provide different levels of care for people with different needs. PHP is the most intensive treatment option and involves going to treatment five days a week for intensive therapy and clinical care. IOP is the next step down, followed by standard outpatient care.
Start Your Recovery at A Better State with Alcohol Addiction Treatment
When you or a loved one are ready to stop your alcohol use for good, contact the addiction professionals at A Better State by contacting 781.412.1488. Our compassionate team can guide you through the entire treatment process and provide the tools needed for recovery. Alcohol use disorder can be debilitating, but it can be overcome with A Better State’s high-quality addiction treatment services.
