Alcohol Withdrawal: Causes, Symptoms, Timeline and Treatment Options

While you will still likely have some alcohol cravings, you will probably feel pretty good about quitting alcohol. After two weeks without alcohol, the benefits will start to compound. You will probably be well out of withdrawal and mostly recovered from the ordeal. By this point, you will have had about 6,000 fewer calories than you would have previously during a two-week period.

Common Protocols and Dosing Strategies

• It is particularly advantageous for individuals with significant liver disease, a common issue in those with chronic alcohol use disorder.
• If you drink heavily and stop suddenly, you can experience sweating, shaking, anxiety, nausea, and in some cases seizures or delirium tremens.
• These services provide a safe place for people who are attempting to withdraw from any substance.
• After you stop drinking heavy, regular amounts of alcohol, your nervous system needs time to adjust.

Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Call Alcohol Withdrawal your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication. Skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take more than one dose of hydrocodone extended-release capsules in 12 hours or extended-release tablets in 24 hours. This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. If you’re aiming to moderate your drinking, you may be asked to keep a “drinking diary”.

Special Considerations for High-Risk Patients

If you drink heavy amounts of alcohol for weeks, months, or years, you may have mental and physical symptoms when you stop or cut back. About half of all people with alcohol use disorder go through it. Yes, benzodiazepines carry a risk of dependence and misuse, which is why they are only prescribed for short-term, medically supervised detox. They are not a long-term treatment solution for alcohol use disorder. How long will I need to be on medication for alcohol withdrawal?

What You Need to Know About Alcohol Detox Programs in Utah

• Proper nutrition and hydration are vital during the withdrawal process.
• Effective management focuses on stabilizing your health, easing symptoms, and preparing you for ongoing treatment, not just getting you through a few difficult days.
• To prevent this, your doctor may suggest a treatment program where you stay overnight.
• It is particularly valuable in emergency departments (ED) and intensive care unit (ICU) settings.

This infographic summarizes the key clinical benefits of using benzodiazepines for alcohol withdrawal. Whereas carbamazepine shows promise as an alternative, it’s primarily used as an adjunct therapy. Don’t rely on phenytoin, gabapentin, or propranolol alone, as they’re less effective than benzodiazepines for seizure prevention.

• Supervised alcohol withdrawal is designed around safety, comfort, and dignity.
• New symptoms will develop, including clammy skin, nausea, jumpiness, insomnia, depression and loss of appetite.
• These supplements are considered a crucial part of the best medication for alcohol withdrawal protocols because they prevent severe, irreversible complications.
• The GABA receptor mechanism makes them particularly effective at managing withdrawal symptoms.
• If you feel unwell while taking naltrexone, stop taking it immediately and seek advice from your GP or care team.
• If your alcohol use distracted you from skin and hair hygiene, then the effects of sobriety can be even greater.

Some infusions come specially prepared for this type of situation. An example of this is an infusion that healthcare providers often refer to by the nickname “banana bag” (because the solution in them is yellow). It contains vitamin B1 (thiamine), B9 (folate), a multivitamin, electrolyte solution and more.