Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms set in when the use of alcohol is stopped suddenly after years of heavy and constant abuse. Withdrawal symptoms rarely occur in people who only drink once in a while. The hangover is actually a mild form of alcohol withdrawal, typically occurring in the morning after a night of overindulgence. The worst form of withdrawal is called "DTs" (delirium tremens).

Early symptoms of alcohol withdrawal generally appear 6 to 48 hours after drinking has stopped but can occur up to 10 days after the last drink. Withdrawal symptoms may include:

The best way to avoid alcohol problems is to drink moderately—limit intake to one drink per hour. Do not drink or abuse alcohol to cope with life's problems. Do not drink alcohol while taking medication and especially not during physical or sporting activities. Alcohol should be avoided completely when driving. Most doctors of all kinds agree that alcoholics must stop drinking completely in order to overcome the addiction. Some of the nutritional deficiencies associated with alcoholism can be caused by a poor diet—a factor that needs correction on an individual basis. Improving the overall diet that may help break alcohol addiction. In a human trial, restricting sugar, increasing complex carbohydrates, and eliminating caffeine has also led to a reduction in alcohol craving.

The effects of alcohol vary from person to person depending on a number of factors. A light weighted person will be able to tolerate less alcohol than a heavy person. With time, a tolerance to alcohol builds up, so that more can be consumed without becoming intoxicated. As alcohol is absorbed directly from the stomach into the bloodstream, the amount of food in the stomach also makes a difference. A meal high in protein such as cheese, meat or eggs, will slow alcohol absorption. The type of mixer in the alcoholic beverage also affects absorption. Water and fruit juices slow the process while carbonated mixers speed it up. Alcohol is absorbed directly through the stomach lining into the blood stream and carried to the brain. Alcohol is metabolized in two stages by the enzymes alcohol. Dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase both requiring niacin as cofactor. After the alcohol circulates through the brain, a small percentage is removed in urine, perspiration and by breathing while the rest is carried to the liver to be broken down into carbon dioxide and water. The liver can only process 1/3 ounce of alcohol per hour, i.e. about 2/3 of a standard drink. Alcohol depletes the body of water so the morning after, people may have a headache, upset stomach and be dehydrated. Alcohol affects the central nervous system as a depressant resulting in a decrease of activity, anxiety, tension, and inhibitions. Alcohol also affects other body systems. Irritation of the gastrointestinal tract can occur with erosion of the lining of the stomach. Vitamins are not absorbed properly.

The presence of withdrawal symptoms is an indicator of a serious addiction to alcohol.

• Moderate consumption provides little, if any, health benefit for younger people.
• Risk of alcohol abuse increases when drinking starts at an early age.
• Moderation is defined as no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men. This limit is based on differences between the sexes in both weight and metabolism.
• Alcoholic beverages are harmful when consumed in excess.
• Excess alcohol alters judgement and can lead to dependency and a great many other serious health problems.
• Taking more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men can raise the risk for auto accidents, other accidents, high blood pressure, stroke, violence, suicide, birth defects, and certain cancers.
• Even one drink per day can slightly raise the risk of breast cancer.
• Who should not drink? Women who may become pregnant or who are pregnant. A safe level of alcohol intake has not been established for women at any time during pregnancy, including the first few weeks.
• If you choose to drink alcoholic beverages, do so sensibly. Limit intake to one drink per day for women or two drink per day for men, and take with meals to slow alcohol absorption. Avoid drinking before or when driving, or whenever it puts you or others at risk.
  
  

Maintain a calm and secure atmosphere for the patient until the withdrawal is over. Beware! as the urge to drink again during withdrawal can be very strong due to which some people may put themselves into dangerous situations. Encourage the patient to join a treatment program after the symptoms head off. Remember that during the symptoms and after, it the thing that matters most is support from the family and friends.