Being Free From Alcohol Withdrawal Sydrome
If an alcoholic abruptly refrain from drinking alcohol, withdrawal syndrome will certainly manifest. This is because alcohol has the ability to stimulate physiological addiction. This syndrome is usually exemplified by the autonomic disturbances and neuropsychiatric excitability that can lead to a more severe condition if exposed to a number of different sedative hypnotics such as alcohol. You can actually tell if a withdrawal is happening if the patient have uncommon vital signs which only balances if alcohol or any chemical which mimics its effect is introduced in the body.
Signs and Symptoms of Withdrawal There are a lot of factors that can influence the intensity of the manifestation of alcoholic withdrawal such as the level of alcohol consumption, time period of abusing alcohol, genetics, age, and the number of times of detoxification history. Symptoms can be mild to intense which can lead to a life threatening condition. Delirium tremens, seizures and even neurotoxic excitability can also be experienced by those people suffering from symptoms of withdrawal. Moreover, other symptoms such as anorexia, irritations, GI upset, diarrhea, high blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, fever, sadness, headache, anxiety, hallucination, anxiety attacks, palpitations, euphoria and even death can be possible too.
The protracted withdrawal or otherwise known as post-acute is the other kind of withdrawal syndrome. It happens after the stage of acute withdrawal that is gradually decreasing as time passes at a milder level. Here’s list of protracted alcohol withdrawal signs and symptoms – nausea, vomiting, headache, craving for alcohol and a feeling of misery over stuff that you find gratifying before.
How withdrawal syndrome can be managed? Alcoholics who are going through symptoms of withdrawal are prescribed to take some drugs, particularly those medications under specific categories. These are the benzodiazepines drugs which include Lorazepam, Diazepam, and antipsychotic agents like Haldol. To control seizures, anticonvulsants are needed like Carbamazepine, barbiturates, Topiramate, Donidine and also some health supplements and vitamins.
Another type of drug that are commonly used to treat alcoholic withdrawal syndrome are Benzodiazepines as they are safe to use. This is also the same class of drug used for alcohol detoxification. The usual medications that are utilized in dealing with symptoms are diazepam and chlordiazepoxide. Benzodiazepines are also effective in minimizing the yearnings for alcohol.
On the other hand, an anti-psychotic drug like haloperidol effectively works in managing symptoms of alcohol withdrawals as it control psychosis and agitation. But, there’s a possibility that the situation will become more life-threatening as these drugs reduce seizure limit to those patients.
Anti-convulsants like Carbamazepine and Topiramate may also be used although there are no acceptable data that can verify that they are effective. Additionally, vitamins or supplements are also advocated by the professionals to their patients. It is also recommended to stop smoking since it can impede the recovery of the patients’ brain pathways.
Somehow, these managements are also useful for drug addicts since withdrawal symptoms are also experienced. In case that this method fails, it is recommended to get help from a treatment facility. Keep in mind to take immediate action if you know somebody who is struggling with drug or alcoholism withdrawal symptoms. The life you save might be your own.