Withdrawal Symptoms: It just isn’t fair that so called moderate drinkers can give up alcohol from one day to the next with virtually no will power and get away without suffering side effects. On the other hand alcoholics and heavier drinkers are virtually guaranteed a bout of mild and severe withdrawal symptoms through the result of refraining from alcohol intake. Collectively these symptoms are known as “alcohol withdrawal syndrome”.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms include headaches, tummy aches and upsets, feeling sick and vomiting. Apart from these physical symptoms, other psychological symptoms such as nervousness, anxiety, jitters and mood swings can be experienced. Other uncomfortable symptoms include an increase in body temperature, heart beat and the breathing rate.
Medical care is available for many of the withdrawal symptoms caused by alcohol withdrawal, such as uncontrollable eyelid movements and dilation in the size of the pupils, loss of appetite, sweaty or clammy palms and skin, sleeping problems and nightmares.
Serious Symptoms: Just to add to the list there are also quite a few serious withdrawal symptoms. On the whole anyone who does manage to kick drinking won’t suffer from the following, but a small percentage do suffer from seizures, hallucinations and delirium tremens, all of which are accompanied by a state of anxiety, confusion and hallucinations. Don’t waste any time in going to seek medical advice.
It is also very important that those mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms sufferers get urgent medical attention. The reason being is that most alcoholics who begin to suffer from withdrawal symptoms will eventually get back on alcohol with the vague idea of giving up again. Unfortunately you are on the slippery slope, as each time you give up the more serious the withdrawal symptoms become. So the outright conclusion is that the sooner you get medical attention, the sooner you can quit alcohol.
I would insist on the point that medical advice be sort prior to total alcohol withdrawal and loose no time whatsoever if your health is even more complicated with heart disease, seizures, infections or lung related conditions. Should other addictions like tobacco or drugs also be an issue then time is also of the essence as the severity of the withdrawal symptoms will be a lot worse.
Professional Assistance: A doctor will not only assist in easing the alcohol withdrawal symptoms but will also be able to treat any other health condition that exists in your body. The majority of medics that deal with alcohol detoxification are also trained in giving emotional assistance and psychological counseling, crucial for patients at this stage.
Therefore, it is important that you consult a medical practitioner, especially an expert when it comes to getting treated for alcohol withdrawal syndrome. You can easily get information about local doctors who work with alcohol detoxification cases by calling up your local Alcoholics Anonymous chapter or through the yellow pages. Once the alcohol withdrawal symptoms cease, it is imperative that you also join a self help organization like the Alcoholics Anonymous in order to prevent yourself from turning back to alcoholism.
Discover more about this tried and tested support to help Stop Drinking Written by Ed Philips and Quit Alcohol In Only 21 Days