Content medically reviewed by Vicky Magobet, PMHNP-BC, on April 19, 2021.
When you're attempting to become sober after prolonged alcohol use, it can be a long journey to recovery. One of the initial steps you can take is to abstain from alcohol use. The will may be there to break the addiction, but your body may have a tougher time coping.
In this post, we'll explore what alcohol withdrawal is, the symptoms and stages of alcohol withdrawal, and how inpatient rehab can treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol withdrawal occurs when you abruptly stop drinking alcohol after chronic, prolonged use. When this happens, it's because you have gotten used to having the substance in your body. When alcohol is no longer present, it can be quite a shock to your body.
Alcohol is a depressant, so if you chronically use alcohol and then stop drinking, the brain compensates by increasing the amounts of stimulating neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine. That swing from a depressant to a stimulant can sometimes be too much for the body, which is where alcohol withdrawal symptoms come in.
Typically, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can appear within five to eight hours of abstaining from alcohol. Four of the main symptoms and stages of alcohol withdrawal are:
Suddenly stopping drinking alcohol after prolonged use can be a scary, even life-threatening experience. If you have been heavily using alcohol, you may want to enroll in a medically assisted detox problem at a reputable rehab facility, such as Diamond House Detox, to start your healing journey.
At Diamond House Detox, we give you medications during your detox process to help treat physical symptoms. We also provide a healthy diet and positive atmosphere to thrive in as well as the right support to help you achieve and maintain your sobriety.
You don't have to go through detox from alcohol alone. Let compassionate, caring experts take care of you as you get healthy. Our facility in Sacramento, California, has caring and knowledgeable staff waiting to help you. Contact us today and receive confidential help for your alcohol use disorder.