Subscribe Feed (RSS)Alcohol is a tough habit to kick, not just because of its addictive qualities, but also because of the very painful withdrawal symptoms those wishing to quit drinking must endure.
Not everyone who quits drinking will have symptoms of withdrawal, but most long-term drinkers, heavy drinkers, binge drinkers or those of us who are a combination of the three will face some very harsh withdrawal symptoms if they abruptly stop drinking.
Alcohol withdrawal can have some pretty serious health consequences. That’s because the main effect of drinking alcohol is the stimulation of the GABAa receptor. Stimulating this receptor repeatedly, as chronic drinkers do, desensitizes and reduces the number of these receptors, depressing the central nervous system and also causing physical dependence and tolerance. This means that when you cut off the alcohol abruptly, the person’s nervous system can go haywire, possibly resulting in anxiety, vomiting, irritability, mood swings, delierium tremens, hallucinations, seizures and even heart failure.
As you can see, these withdrawal symptoms range from the merely uncomfortable to life threatening. According to medical studies, about 90 percent of alcoholics who are trying to quit who experience severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms. That’s why, for heavy drinkers, a careful program must be followed for them to stop drinking.
There are a variety of medical treatments that can help reduce the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Adopting a proper diet and taking supplements of the vitamin Thiamin can help prevent many of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal if you are a moderate drinker. For heavy drinkers trying to quit, more aggressive medical intervention may be required. For example, a doctor may prescribe Valium as a stand-in for alcohol and gradually taper down the dosage over time to gently ease you off the alcohol. It’s important to stress that this form of treatment should only be undertaken with the supervision of a physician.
There’s not any way to tell whether you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop drinking cold turkey. To protect your health, and increase the likelihood the pain of withdrawal won’t cause you to lapse back into drinking, you should consult with your doctor before embarking on the abrupt cessation of your alcohol habit.
It’s also important to tend to your emotional and spiritual needs while fighting alcoholism. That’s why church groups and organizations like AA can be a vital part of recovering from alcoholism. With the support of peers and loved ones, you can mitigate some of the more psychological symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, such as having to give up your old drinking buddies.
Coming to the realization that you need to stop drinking, and then having the courage to follow through is very commendable. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can pose a major roadblock to your recovery. Being able to manage withdrawal symptoms will increase the likelihood you’ll be able to see your wish through.
