There are many risks of alcohol withdrawal during the first few days of detox. Some people may experience hallucinations, seizures, and hand tremors. The most uncomfortable symptoms last well into the second day of detox. Hallucinations and panic attacks are also common. Withdrawal symptoms may come and go during the first week. The first week is when individuals are most vulnerable to life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. However, if you're looking for information on alcohol withdrawal symptoms, read on.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are among the most popular medications used in alcohol detoxification. These drugs work to reduce alcohol cravings and reduce anxiety, but they also come with some side effects. In addition to drowsiness, benzodiazepines can increase the risk of heart problems, high blood pressure, and altered consciousness. In addition to these side effects, there are no FDA-approved stimulant medications for alcohol detoxification.

Benzodiazepines for alcohol detox are sometimes prescribed for the treatment of severe withdrawal symptoms from alcohol. These drugs may be habit-forming and can cause dependence, but they should only be taken under the supervision of a qualified medical professional. The drug is used in three ways:

Disulfiram

An alcohol detox with disulfiram is a form of medication that can help a person stop drinking. In addition, the medication can help to decrease the physical effects of alcohol withdrawal. The withdrawal period is generally short, lasting between five and ten days. More sensitive patients, however, may have to endure the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal for weeks. When fully detoxed, a patient may begin to take disulfiram. The healthcare provider should closely monitor the patient's progress.

The FDA approved disulfiram for the treatment of alcoholism in 1951, and at the time, doctors were prescribing it in high doses - up to 3,000 mg a day! Unfortunately, the high doses caused severe reactions and even deaths. Therefore, the dose of disulfiram was lowered. Currently, the drug is manufactured and distributed by PLIVA and Odyssey Pharmaceuticals.

Hallucinations

During the first few days of alcohol detox, a person may experience hallucinations. Hallucinations can take the form of auditory or visual delusions. They can feel real to the person experiencing them, and they may last from eight to 12 hours. The duration of these hallucinations may vary, and it may be difficult to determine whether they are due to alcohol withdrawal symptoms or a more serious health condition.

During withdrawal, a person experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms may experience minor symptoms, such as insomnia, mild anxiety, and trembling. Alcoholic hallucinations can take on visual, auditory, or tactile forms. Hallucinations are especially common among patients undergoing alcohol detoxification. These symptoms are often worse when they experience several episodes. If they occur during more than one detoxification period, a patient may experience seizures.

Seizures

If you're an alcohol addict, you probably worry about the consequences of a drink. But did you know that seizures can also occur during alcohol detox? They are related to the effects of alcohol on the central nervous system, which relays messages to and from the brain. Alcohol depresses the central nervous system, causing it to "rebound." As a result, seizures during alcohol detox are often triggered by sudden, large amounts of alcohol and the abrupt cessation of drinking.

While the causes of seizures during alcohol detox are unknown, recent studies suggest that the brain responds differently to alcohol than to other substances. While many people have experienced alcohol withdrawal seizures, they are relatively rare. Alcohol withdrawal seizures may not occur for everyone, and many of them clear up quickly once the alcoholic stops drinking. However, if you experience seizures while detoxing from alcohol, your physician may prescribe medication to help manage the risk.

Brain chemistry changes

After years of alcohol abuse, your brain begins to change. Years of drinking can destroy the frontal lobe, preventing you from thinking clearly or rationally. Although your brain will eventually rebuild this damage, you may still have trouble with certain cognitive functions, including impulse control and rational decision-making. Although you will eventually regain these functions, you may still have trouble with them in the early stages of recovery. Fortunately, this brain change should only be temporary.

New brain cell growth began in the hippocampus after about four to five weeks of abstinence. On the seventh day of abstinence, it doubled in size. Previously, scientists believed that the adult brain had a pre-established number of neurons. However, neurogenesis occurs after alcohol detox, and this is a promising indication for the long-term health of an alcoholic brain. Hence, the benefits of alcohol detox programs are numerous.

Relapse rates

Relapse rates after alcohol detox vary. While there is no definitive answer to this question, the following factors appear to be linked to a higher likelihood of relapse. Those who experience serious alcohol-related problems or have depressive symptoms are more likely to experience a relapse. The same is true of those who report the most attempts in recovery. These factors are associated with a lack of self-efficacy and effective coping skills.

Relapse rates after alcohol detox are high, but not as high as many would suggest. In fact, some studies show that relapse rates are lower than those for other diseases. For instance, asthma and high blood pressure both have higher than 50%. Relapse does not mean failure, it just means that a person's treatment plan didn't work. However, many alcoholics believe that alcohol detox is easier than other substance abuse problems.