The Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Posted: Saturday, May 09, 2009
by Samantha James
When you stop drinking completely and immediately, what happens is your brain receptors that were previously inhibited or blocked by alcohol are now more fully functional and "exposed", causing different variations of alcohol withdrawal symptoms that result from this condition.
If you have been drinking a large amount daily for a long period of time, it is a good idea to detox under medical supervision for at least the first week. It is common for the medical treatment to include benzodiazepines and carbamazepine, among other drugs used to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms.
The Basic Psychological Symptoms :
Intense nervousness
Shakiness
High anxiety
Irritability
Emotional overreaction to situations
Depression
Fatigue
Clouded thinking
Unpleasant dreams
The Basic Physical Symptoms :
Headaches
Sweating more than usual
Nausea
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Insomnia this will usually be ongoing
Rapid heart beat
Clumsiness and abnormal movements
Hands shaking
Sweating
The More Severe Symptoms:
Hallucinations
More extreme confusion
Intense agitation
Convulsions
In some people who have been drinking a large quantity every day for months or years, seizures can occur.
When you stop drinking there will be an intense craving for a drink. That is of course your body telling you that you need more alcohol. For those who have tried to stop drinking on many occasions, which many of us do, every time we stop the withdrawal and cravings set in. It's a vicious cycle and the general withdrawal symptoms combined with the anxiety and depression that comes with abstinence many times will be the very thing that compels you to pick up another drink.
If you have a drinking problem, visit us at:
http://HowIStoppedDrinking.org
This Article has been viewed 465 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
No comments yet.We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.