Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
To break free from alcohol addiction, you must first go through detox. An alcohol detox leads to withdrawal, which involves many unpleasant symptoms. Learning about the most common alcohol withdrawal symptoms prepares you or your loved one for the road ahead. Afterwards, you’ll understand the necessary steps it takes to ensure a successful and lasting recovery.
Gastrointestinal Distress
One of the most common alcohol withdrawal symptoms is gastrointestinal distress. Starting just six to eight hours after the last drink, individuals may begin feeling an upset stomach.
Additionally, many people going through alcohol withdrawal notice decreased appetite, which may last through the entire detoxification process. It’s also normal to experience abdominal cramping and nausea. Vomiting and diarrhea are slightly less common but remain frequently occurring symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal.
Increases in Heart Rate and Temperature
During alcohol withdrawal, certain bodily functions speed up. For example, the heart begins working overtime to compensate for alcohol detox. Metabolism can also rise, and the body needs to work harder to function normally.
The biggest and most common withdrawal changes are cardiovascular. For example, during alcohol withdrawal, you can expect rapid heart rate. Additionally, blood pressure will rise. Thus, you may be out of breath while doing everyday tasks, and it may be difficult to calm down.
Furthermore, temperature rises as well during alcohol withdrawal. This can be unpleasant, it may be more difficult to fall asleep or get comfortable. While a mild increase in temperature seems tame, monitoring your body temperature is extremely important.
A high temperature, or a fever, may lead to additional health complications. It also causes excess sweating, leading to dehydration. Unfortunately, severe dehydration is a problem for everyone. However, medical professionals can monitor this and offer remedies that keep you hydrated and comfortable.
Mental Health Conditions
While many common withdrawal symptoms are physical, mental health complications also occur. Overall, a lot of patients already struggle with mental illness, and their symptoms may worsen during alcohol detoxification.
Furthermore, it’s possible for patients to develop new mental health complications. For example, anxiety is incredibly common. During withdrawal, the physical and psychological changes you go through are overwhelming, and thus, feeling anxious is normal. Fortunately, once detox is over, this often goes away.
Abstaining from alcohol after long-term dependence can lead to depression. When you have a drug addiction, it may feel like the only pleasure you can get is from alcohol. In some cases, this may lead to suicidal thoughts. More often, but less severe, is the occurrence of insomnia throughout treatment as well.
When Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Are Over
Alcohol and substance abuse require detox, but this isn’t the only step in the recovery process. Once withdrawal symptoms dissipate, most patients need to transition to a rehab facility like 1st Step Behavioral Health.
Our treatment methods in alcohol rehab include:
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Focus on relapse prevention
- Individual and family therapy
- Group counseling sessions
- Holistic and fitness therapies
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are a normal part of withdrawal. At 1st Step Behavioral Health in Pompano Beach, Florida, you can expect quality support following the detoxification process. Call (855) 425-4846 to begin overcoming alcohol addiction today.
Take the First Step Today
We can help you get better. Contact us today to find out which program might be right for you, or to begin the process of arranging for treatment.
