Alcohol Withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal is believed to be related to alcohol's sedative effects.
With regular use of alcohol the Central Nervous
System is constantly depressed. When it is removed, the CNS reacts to the
absence of alcohol depression by becoming overactive. This is rebound hyperactivity. Withdrawal will usually last however long it takes for the CNS to reach an equilibrium. It's
normal operating level. It is during this rebound or equalizing phase that
withdrawal symptoms show themselves. The length of withdrawal is just a matter of how long it takes
your CNS to reach its normal operating level. Not everyone experience withdrawal the same.
Three things seem to be most important. For how long and how much has the person been drinking. What is the persons physical state. Are they
generally healthy or are they in bad shape. And, the person's basic physiological makeup. So
accurately predicting how a person will go through withdrawal is difficult. Side
note: For binge drinkers, folks who drink for several days and then stop, withdrawal will be
much easier to predict. They have been through it several times and know what's going to happen. One
interesting note is that withdrawal can occur without a person being abstinent. When
your body is accustomed to acting with a certain amount of alcohol in it and it
doesn't have that amount. Your body reacts. This may be what prompts people to drink in the morning. They need to restore their alcohol
level to feel normal. Their are four major symptoms associated with
withdrawal. Follow the links for more.
These symptoms are not really independent. They all kind of blend together to one
extent or another. Also, some, like
hyperarousal, are much more common. Others, like DTs are not nearly as common. Important note: Alcohol
withdrawal can be life threatening. This is rare but, it can happen. Irregular heartbeat
and convulsions seem to be the main causes of death. This can happen in as many as 20% of cases of
DTs where there isn't medical intervention. If things get out of hand get medical help. Go to an
emergency room if necessary.
Raging Alcoholic
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