Alcohol Withdrawal

Let’s review the alcohol withdrawal process.

Table of Contents

You can never predict when alcohol withdrawal could set in, as it could be in the morning or at any time of the day. So, you shouldn’t worry so much about the alcohol withdrawal timeline, but rather how to manage it.
Let’s review the alcohol withdrawal process.

CAUSES OF ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL

Alcohol withdrawal may affect you if you have a history of alcohol. Someone who drinks a lot may become susceptible to withdrawal when:

An alcohol use disorder usually irritates and excite the nervous system at the same time. The moment you make alcohol a regular part of your daily intake, the body starts relying and depending upon that alcohol. So, once this process changes, alcohol withdrawal sets in.

Here is How it Works

Alcohol can affect the brain’s neurotransmitter that acts as the brain’s messenger to the nervous system. Alcohol can inhibit these transmitters and cause you to feel good while you drink.

It’s possible to experience withdrawal symptoms the moment neurotransmitters are set free. They are already used to fighting alcohol, and when they can’t, they become overly excited. This is what then it triggers the withdrawal symptoms that you may be experiencing.

SYMPTOMS OF WITHDRAWAL

The symptoms of withdrawal could appear within the next three days. However, some withdrawal symptoms could begin to surface after a week or even a longer time.

Still, a few symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are:

These are a few symptoms of withdrawal that you could experience just after alcohol withdrawal. But, as each person and their physiology is unique, you may experience some symptoms not highlighted here. That’s why is always encouraged to speak with a medical professional if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms and considering reducing your alcohol consumption.

Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline

The expected alcohol withdrawal timeline begins as early as two hours into your withdrawal. However, it could start at six hours or even a day after our last alcohol consumption.

You can better understand your withdrawal timeline if they are divided into stages.

STAGES OF ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL

There are four stages of withdrawal, and these stages function with a withdrawal timeline.

Stage 1

This first stage begins 6-12 hours after your last consumption of alcohol. You may start witnessing these minor symptoms of alcohol withdrawal:

Stage 2

The second stage of withdrawal begins in the 12-24 hours after your last alcohol intake. The symptoms at this stage is majorly about hallucinations.

Some of these hallucinations may include:

Stage 3

At the third stage, symptoms of withdrawal start 24-48 hours after your last drink.

Stage 4

You may start experiencing the symptoms of withdrawal in the next 48-72 hours after your last alcohol. At this stage all the withdrawal symptoms should have peaked.

POSSIBLE TREATMENTS

Now you know the various withdrawal timelines, and you can treat withdrawal through multiple methods. But the most common ways of alcohol withdrawal treatment are:

By administering intravenous fluid into your system
If you feel you need a little more help in treating your disorder, then you should speak to a medical professional or rehab center. Support groups may also help. Support groups include people going through alcohol withdrawal just like you.

Resources

If you or a loved one needs help, please call us at
623-523-4748 and our team at Blueprints For Recovery in Arizona will help.

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