Narconon Vista Bay Rehab Discusses Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
Narconon Vista Bay Rehab is well versed in withdrawing our clients from a myriad of substances. One of the most dangerous withdrawal situations we encounter is with those individuals that have been addicted to alcohol for a long period of time. When a person addicted to alcohol suddenly stops drinking, he or she will experience alcohol withdrawal. Using alcohol in great amounts, or consistently for long periods of time will lead to an addiction. Once somebody is addicted to alcohol, stopping it will cause alcohol withdrawal syndrome. People can die from alcohol withdrawal. It can cause seizures, delirium tremens, and it can kill nerve cells.
Dependence on Alcohol
Alcohol is one of the most addicting drugs known to man. It can cause severe dependence mentally and physically. Withdrawal happens when a lesser and lesser amount of alcohol is in an addicted person’s blood than their body is used to.
Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse:
Withdrawal from alcohol will be different from person to person and case to case. It could be anything from sleeplessness to fatal seizures. The following is a list of some of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
- Edginess
- Delusions
- Anorexia
- Confusion
- DT’s (Delirium Tremens)
- Despair
- Diarrhea
- Upset Stomach
- Migraine Headache
- Sleeplessness
- Seizures
- Death
Drinkers may not notice symptoms of withdrawal at first. Each time they drink and then try to stop, the symptoms of withdrawal will increase.
Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment (CIWA) for Alcohol
Most doctors will use the CIWA or Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol procedure to discover a person’s withdrawal level. This helps when abuse of alcohol is known but how much and how often is unclear.
Treatments for Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
Benzodiazepines
Upon examination, a person suffering from alcohol withdrawal will likely be prescribed benzodiazepines. These stop the edginess or nervousness of nerve cells in the brain. This seems to be all right for a while, but benzodiazepines can be very addictive and should only be used during the acute stages of withdrawal. Benzodiazepines are anti-anxiety prescription drugs such as Valium, Xanax, and many others.
Side Effects of Benzodiazepines
- Drowsiness
- Agitation
- Breathing problems
- Weight gain
Elderly people are the most prone to these side effects. These drugs tend to lose their effect after extended use and require the patient to increase the dosage. This in itself leads to addiction. People who stop taking benzodiazepines after just a short time will feel withdrawal symptoms like sleeplessness and anxiety.
Anti-Seizure Medication
Doctors sometimes will prescribe these to help reduce the side-effects of benzodiazepines. Common anti-seizure medications are Depakote and Tegretol.
Beta Blockers
These can be prescribed in conjunction with benzodiazepines to lessen the chance of delirium tremons and reduce heart rate. Tenormin and Inderal are the two big beta blockers.
Delirium Tremens and Seizures
If somebody has delirium tremens he or she must see a doctor right away. If somebody has DT’s and does not go to the doctor they could die.
Seizures from alcohol withdrawal are usually treated with benzodiazepines.
Anti-Psychotic Drugs
Anti-psychotic drugs may be prescribed to people who are experiencing hallucinations and dementia during their alcohol withdrawal. Psychosis can be brought on from a huge lack in vitamin B.
Are You Addicted to Alcohol or Experiencing Alcohol Withdrawal?
If you need assistance looking for a chemical abuse treatment program you should contact Narconon Vista Bay Alcohol Rehab and speak with a Registered Addiction Specialist. Call us at 1-800-556-8885. We can assist you to locate the correct facility to suit your needs.
Narconon Alcohol Rehabilitation Centers have an exclusive substance addiction treatment program. We trust that the greatest method for beating an addiction to alcohol is to first cleanse the body of all alcohol residuals. A person does this with our New Life Detoxification Program under the vigilant management of our staff. Appropriate diet makes an individual begin to feel better physically, so does working out. Merging these with the Sauna Program allows a person to come back to optimal well-being. It also helps a person get his head clear so he is ready for the life skills and cognitive therapy parts of our Program. During these phases, a person will learn how to take control of their life and be content. We have learned through years of treating substance abuse that alcohol addiction is just a sign of discontent and absence of control. When an individual learns how to face his or her fears and their life and has absolved themselves of the shame and guilt associated with the wreckage caused by alcoholism they are ready to lead a happy and productive life. When one can live happily and industriously, the wish to use alcohol or other drugs vanishes.
Narconon Vista Bay Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers are here to help you free yourself from addiction. We are very effective at this. At Narconon, 76% of our alumni are still drug and alcohol free at least one year after attesting our Program. Overcoming an addiction to alcohol or any other drugs is within reach.