If somebody who has been drinking for a long time sudden stops he or she usually experiences some negative symptoms. These "withdrawal symptoms" are a response by the body and the brain to the lack of alcohol to which they have become accustomed over time.

Alcohol Withdrawal, The Brain, and Tolerance

The brain will adapt to the presence of alcohol over time. It will adapt to such a point that normal functioning is only possible in the presence of alcohol. Because the brain becomes accustomed to the presence of alcohol the drinker will need increasingly more alcohol in order to get drunk. This is referred to as tolerance - the brain and body can tolerate more alcohol.

The body may take several days to a few weeks to readjust once the alcoholic stops drinking. During this time the body and brain crave alcohol and the alcoholic will experience negative symptoms. The withdrawal symptoms can become quite severe and include both behavioral and psychological components.

Mild to Moderate Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

These symptoms typically manifest within 6 - 48 hours after the alcoholic stops drinking. They can be managed in a medically supervised detox center by prescribing certain medications. Examples of symptoms that fall in this category are:

• Insomnia
• Nightmares and anxiety
• Loss of appetite
• Headaches
• Increased heart rate
• Irritability
• Vomiting
• Easily agitated
• Shaking and trembling
• Nausea
• Excessive sweating
• Depressed mood
• Clammy skin
• Fatigue
• Rapidly changing emotions

Severe Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms will usually appear 2-4 days after the alcoholic stops drinking. These symptoms should be medically supervised for the safety of the alcoholic.

• Seizures
• Muscle tremors
• Cognitive problems
• Irritability
• Depression
• Convulsions
• Extreme anxiety
• Delirum Tremens
• Hallucinations

You should always immediately see your doctor when you start to experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment and Hospitalization

It is important to properly treat somebody who is suffering from alcohol withdrawal. 95% of alcohol withdrawal cases do not require inpatient treatment and can be managed in an outpatient setting under the supervision of a doctor.

However the remaining 5% of cases who experience severe withdrawal symptoms need to be treated in a general hospital or specialist alcohol rehab facility that offers detoxification.

It is important for somebody to immediately seek medical help if they start experiencing withdrawal symptoms. If the symptoms are left untreated they can become life threatening. Let the doctor assess your situation and make a recommendation as to what treatment is required.

Non-Drug Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment

There have been a number of alternative techniques to treat alcohol withdrawal that do not involve prescribing medication. Oral or intraveinous hydration is one such option. Current research suggests that avoiding medication where possible is safer in treating alcohol withdrawal. A non-drug alcohol withdrawal treatment will offer a great deal of social support and maintain constant supervision over the patient. Some other non-drug alternatives include the use of nutritional supplements and a balanced diet as a way to combat mild withdrawal effects.

Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment Using Prescribed DrugsResearch has suggested that alcoholics who struggle to stay sober in the initial stages of alcohol withdrawal benefit from receiving medications that treat and manage their symptoms. It has also been shown that receiving certain medications lowers the risk of brain damage and/or seizures.

Alcohol detox research has found that benzodiazepines are the drug class to most likely have a positive effect on somebody suffering from alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Both short-acting and longer-acting benzodiazepines are effective.

It is common for doctors in South Africa to taper the dose of benzodiazepine down over the withdrawal period. This is because some of the benzodiazepines (particularly the short-acting ones) have measurable dose reduction effects. In other words the doctor needs to manage the withdrawal from benzodiazepine as well.

Benzodiazepeines are the most commonly accepted medication for treating withdrawal symptoms. During later stages of alcoholism treatment other medications may be prescribed to address cravings. Naltrexone is one such a medication which is prescribed to help the alcoholic avoid drinking again.