Alcohol Withdrawal in Rockville, MD
Although alcohol is a legal substance for those older than 21 to drink, it is still an addictive substance that can cause a person a number of health problems if the chronic abuse continues. If a person addicted to alcohol suddenly stops drinking, they will experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Because these symptoms can be dangerous and sometimes deadly to a person, it's important they seek professional treatment for alcohol withdrawal in Rockville.
At professional drug and alcohol rehab centers, a doctor can prescribe medications that reduce the likelihood a person will experience some of the more severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawals, such as seizures. A person can receive treatments that promote sleep and reduce anxiety whenever possible. The greatest benefits of alcohol withdrawal in Rockville is that a person can achieve sobriety and move forward in learning how to live a life free from drug and alcohol abuse.
How Do People Get Withdrawals?
When a person drinks alcohol, the chemicals in alcohol have an effect on the brain. This is known as being a central nervous system depressant. A person feels relaxed, sometimes sleepy, and euphoric. When a person engages in long-term alcohol abuse, the chemicals called neurotransmitters that affect the brain are present most of the time. As a result, a person's brain and the body becomes used to the presence of these chemicals. When a person stops drinking alcohol, they will experience withdrawal side effects. The brain has to once again become accustomed to not having the chemicals present.
As a general rule, the withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol are exactly the opposite of the effects alcohol has on the brain. For example, alcohol "slows" down the brain's function. When a person stops drinking, the brain becomes extremely excitable. This can make a person feel anxious, having difficulty sleeping, and/or even experience seizures. While addiction treatment in Rockville cannot take away all of these symptoms, treatments can usually reduce their incidence.
Is Alcohol Withdrawal Dangerous?
Suddenly quitting alcohol is known as going "cold turkey." If a person decides to do this at home, the effects can, unfortunately, be fatal in some instances. Long-term alcohol abuse can lead to a syndrome known as the delirium tremens or DTs if a person decides to quit cold turkey without professional help for alcohol withdrawal in Rockville. The DTs can come on anywhere from six hours up to a week after a person stops drinking. Because the symptoms can occur quickly and unpredictably, it is important that a person already seek professional treatment should the DTs occur. Symptoms associated with DTs include seizures, hallucinations, high body temperatures, and rapid heart rates. According to the "Southern Medical Journal," an estimated 5 to 20 percent of those addicted to alcohol will experience the DTs.
Even if a person does not have the DTs when they stop drinking, they will still experience withdrawal symptoms. Examples of these can include:
- Tremors
- Difficulty sleeping
- Anxiety
- Headaches and body aches
Addiction treatment in Rockville for alcohol withdrawal can also help to reduce these symptoms.
Signs a person may struggle with alcohol addiction can include the following symptoms:
- A person often drinks more or longer than they intended to.
- A person engages in risky behaviors (such as driving while drinking).
- A person spends a lot of time drinking and often drinks alone.
- A person's thoughts are focused on when they can drink next. They may often avoid events where alcohol is not served.
- A person has to drink more and more alcohol to achieve the same effects they once did.
- A person's drinking has interfered with some aspect of their life, from relationships with family and friends to their job or school performance.
- A person experiences withdrawal symptoms when they haven't had a drink in some time, such as shaking, headaches, and anxiety, usually in the morning.
How Long Does It Take to Withdraw From Alcohol?
The length of time it takes for a person to withdraw from alcohol depends on how long they have abused alcohol, how much they drank on a regular basis, and their overall health. Experts at a center for alcohol withdrawal in Rockville can help a person determine how long their symptoms may last. As a general rule, alcohol withdrawal symptoms will usually begin anywhere from six to eight hours after a person takes their last drink. However, some people may not experience symptoms until a day after they took their last drink. The most significant symptoms usually occur about 24 to 72 hours after a person had their last drink. Some people (especially those who have abused alcohol for some time) may experience symptoms that last for several weeks. Call Rockville Drug Rehab Centers now for help. (877) 804-1531.