Addiction & Recovery

The Withdrawal Info addiction & withdrawal blog that discusses topics having to do with use, abuse, addiction, withdrawal and treatment for commonly abused substances.

Alcohol Withdrawal Complications: What Can Happen

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Alcohol Withdrawal Complications

While alcohol can be safe in moderation, alcohol abuse is dangerous and can lead to various problems, such motor vehicle crashes, health issues, and even alcohol addiction. The development of an alcohol addiction, which medical professionals refer to as an alcohol use disorder, is more likely when a person drinks heavily.

Heavy drinking, as described by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism as women consuming more than three drinks in a day and men consuming more than four drinks on a given day, can lead a person to become dependent upon alcohol. This means that when a person stops drinking, he or she will experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

Undergoing alcohol withdrawal is one of the symptoms of an alcohol use disorder. While withdrawal symptoms can sometimes be mild and relatively harmless, there are cases when a person can experience complications from alcohol withdrawal.

Alcohol Withdrawal Tremors “The Shakes”: What Are They?

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Alcohol Withdrawal Tremors The Shakes

Most experts agree that alcohol consumption is safe in moderation. However, drinking large quantities of alcohol and drinking to the point of intoxication, especially if done repeatedly, can be dangerous.

Eventually, repeated heavy drinking can lead to a clinical condition called an alcohol use disorder, the medical term for alcoholism or an alcohol addiction. One of the signs of an alcohol addiction is withdrawal.

Alcohol withdrawal occurs because over time, the body can become dependent upon alcohol, meaning that it does not function properly without it. When a person who is dependent upon alcohol stops drinking or reduces the amount of alcohol that he or she consumes, it can result in uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Tremors are one such symptom.

Alcohol Withdrawal Medications: Common Medications Used For Alcohol Withdrawal

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Alcohol Withdrawal Medications

Alcohol can be safe in moderation, but too much alcohol can be harmful. When people abuse alcohol over the long-term, they may develop an alcohol addiction.

One of the symptoms of an alcohol use disorder, or addiction to alcohol, is withdrawal. This occurs when the body becomes dependent upon alcohol and cannot function properly without it. When a person develops and alcohol dependence, he or she will experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms when alcohol use is stopped or significantly reduced.

According to a report in the Industrial Psychology Journal, mild alcohol withdrawal begins about six hours after a person stops using alcohol and involves symptoms such as tremors, sweating, fast heart rate, upset stomach, headache, and anxiety. Some people may also experience hallucinations when they withdraw from alcohol. In some cases, withdrawal may progress to more severe symptoms, such as withdrawal seizures or a serious condition called delirium tremens, which causes severe confusion and may be fatal.

What to Expect When Withdrawing from Alcohol

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What to Expect When Withdrawing from Alcohol

So, you’ve made the decision to stop drinking or are looking to help someone stop drinking. This is an amazing first step towards recovery from alcohol abuse or addiction. The fear that comes along with quitting alcohol is normal. People might be are scared to quit drinking because all they can think about is the alcohol withdrawal symptoms they are going to experience. Everyone experiences alcohol detox in their own way. With this being said, there are some things that you can expect when detoxing from alcohol.

Importance of Detoxing from Alcohol

The first part of treatment for an alcohol addiction is the detox stage. During this stage, the alcohol will be flushed out of the body. For most people, the symptoms of withdrawal are going to subside between 1 to 2 weeks after beginning detox. However, for some people, this can take a bit longer. This is usually dependent upon how severe your alcohol use disorder has been. After detoxing from alcohol, it is important that you consider other courses of treatment such as counseling, recovery activities, and other support options.

The Dangers of Alcohol Withdrawal

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Dangers of Alcohol Withdrawal

When consumed occasionally or in moderation, alcohol can be part of a healthy lifestyle. On the other hand, people who drink heavily may be at risk of developing an addiction to alcohol. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, heavy drinking can be defined as a man consuming more than four drinks in a given day and a woman consuming more than three drinks in a day.

When people drink heavily and develop an alcohol addiction, their bodies can become dependent upon alcohol, meaning they will not function properly in the absence of alcohol. This can result in uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms when a person gives up drinking. In some cases, alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous or even fatal.

6 Signs You Might Be Ready To Get Sober

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6 Signs You Might Be Ready To Get Sober

Many people believe that someone won’t get sober unless they have hit rock bottom. You don’t have to wait for your rock bottom to hit (when you might not even know what that will mean for you and your life). It is better to talk about getting ready for sobriety after you get to a level of awareness regarding your alcohol or drug addiction. There are some signs that help you to see you are ready to get sober. If you realize any of the following things, then it is time for you to reach for a life of sobriety and recovery.

What is Fentanyl: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

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Fentanyl FAQs

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a narcotic substance prescribed to treat severe pain. The synthetic opioid is very powerful. When prescribed for chronic pain, fentanyl can be administered as a shot, a transdermal patch, or a cough drop-like lozenge. However, fentanyl is also manufactured illegally. Illegal doses can lead to overdose, permanent health damage, and even death.

For pharmaceutical usage, fentanyl was created to help cancer patients with pain management. As a street drug, fentanyl is often combined with heroin to increase its potency. In some cases, people may think they are purchasing heroin when they are actually purchasing fentanyl. Keep reading to learn more about fentanyl, including how it affects your body.

The Truth About “Purple Drank”

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Purple Drank

Purple Drank, or lean, is a dangerous cocktail that blends prescription cough syrup, soda, and hard candy together in an attempt to obtain a high. The name “Purple Drank” comes from the color of the most commonly used cough syrup, promethazine. The cold medication typically contains codeine as well.

Simply put, users combine these easy to grab ingredients into a substance that gives a high similar to opioids. Jolly ranchers, which stay on the tongue for an extended period of time, are the candy of choice. The most common sodas used are Sprite, Mountain Dew, and grape Fanta.

What is Xanax (Alprazolam)?

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Alprazolam

Xanax, or alprazolam, is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the U.S. market. It belongs to the benzodiazepine class (“BZDs”, or “benzos”), which were synthesized in the late 1950s in an effort to replace barbiturates as a medication for anxiety and sedation. These drugs rapidly flooded the market from the 60s-2000s, before side effects such as high addictive potential and slow breathing rate became more well known and categorized. Xanax itself is the most prescribed psychiatric medication in the U.S., with 25 million total prescriptions in 2017.

Does Alcohol Withdrawal Cause Anxiousness, Agitation, and Irritability?

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Alcohol Withdrawal - Anxiousness, Agitation and Irritability

As a rule, individuals drink to gain a sense of ease, reduce stress, or escape modern-day life problems. Turning to alcohol to soothe oneself might serve to help one cope, but this is only a temporary fix and repeated use can lead to other issues. With time, continued alcohol use leads to tolerance and dependence. Once individuals …

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