Stopping alcohol use will lead to withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are often uncomfortable and can be dangerous when not supervised by trained professionals. Read more about the withdrawal process below.
Causes
Causes of Alcohol Withdrawal
Many people consume alcohol on a regular basis. It is a widely accepted, and almost expected, practice for individuals over the age of 21 in the United States. And while alcohol consumption can be harmless in some situations, in others, it can elicit devastating consequences.
Unfortunately, there are some people who find that once they have begun to drink alcohol, it is difficult to stop. These people may begin to drink alcohol so excessively that it hinders their ability to function appropriately on a daily basis. Furthermore, the longer that a person continually consumes wine, beer, or liquor, the more likely it is that he or she will develop a tolerance to the substance. When this happens, that person must consume greater amounts in order to achieve the desired effects. This pattern of abuse can then result in the development of a physical dependence on alcohol. When this form of dependence has developed, it means that a person’s body has come to rely on the presence of the substance in order to continue functioning. As a result, when his or her body is then denied that substance, it struggles to return to the state of functioning that was present prior to the introduction of alcohol. This process of returning to the body’s system to its original state is known as withdrawal.
Signs
Signs of Withdrawal
The process of withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable and, in some cases, even fatal if not appropriately treated. The withdrawal period can elicit many uncomfortable and painful physical effects, which can lead many to return to the use of alcohol simply to end their distress. As soon as alcohol is consumed once again, the withdrawal symptoms cease.
The particular signs and symptoms that can be indicative of the fact that an individual is experiencing alcohol withdrawal will vary in type and intensity from one person to the next, but may include the following:
- Hand tremors
- Nausea
- Psychomotor agitation
- Excessive sweating
- Vomiting
- Increased pulse rate (exceeding 100 beats per minute)
- Visual, auditory, and/or tactile hallucinations
- Seizures
- Anxiety
- Powerful cravings for more alcohol
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders notes that when these symptoms are present, and they cause an individual clinically significant distress or impairment, it does, in fact, indicate that a person is experiencing withdrawal from alcohol. For these reasons, in addition to the fact that the ongoing consumption of alcohol can wreak havoc on an individual’s health, treatment should be sought and implemented so that individuals can overcome their compulsion to continue abusing this substance.
Why Seek Treatment?
Why Seek Treatment for Addiction at The Camp Recovery Center
When an addiction to alcohol is allowed to persist without intervention, the consequences that can arise in an individual’s life can be extremely detrimental. One’s ability to continue performing at the expected level at work can be hindered, potentially resulting in demotion or job loss. That, in combination with the ongoing cost of obtaining more alcohol, can ultimately cause a person to experience financial strife. Additionally, as the acquiring and consuming of alcohol becomes an individual’s top priority and other responsibilities fall to the wayside, a number of other types of detriments can arise. Family discord, marital problems, divorce, loss of child custody, and deteriorated friendships can all result from chronic alcohol abuse.
In addition to the aforementioned consequences, a person’s health can be placed at significant risk when alcohol is consumed incessantly. Damage to the kidneys and liver frequently plagues those who are struggling with an addiction to alcohol, as does heart disease, a weakened immune system, and even brain damage. Furthermore, the longer that individuals continue to consume alcohol in excessive amounts, the more at-risk they become to suffering from an overdose, otherwise known as alcohol poisoning. And tragically, overdosing on alcohol can be fatal.
For these reasons and more, it is imperative that individuals who are addicted to alcohol receive comprehensive treatment so that they can overcome their compulsion to continue using this substance. At The Camp Recovery Center, we understand how difficult it is to defeat an addiction to alcohol, which is why we have devised specialized programming that is designed to equip individuals with the tools needed to successfully recover. At The Camp Recovery Center, a new, alcohol-free tomorrow is within reach.
