What Are Withdrawal Symptoms from Alcohol?

Are you looking for alcohol treatment centers in Tennessee? There is help out there for you to address alcohol addiction, and one of the best places is rehab. But what happens when you arrive at an alcohol treatment center?

Around 15 million people have an alcohol use disorder in the US. People also use terms such as alcohol addiction or alcohol abuse to describe the disorder. While it can vary in severity, it is essential to get support to overcome it. 

One of the best forms of support is alcohol rehab. If you are looking at Tennessee rehab centers for recovery, it is helpful to know the treatment process, which includes alcohol withdrawal. Here you can learn about the withdrawal symptoms from alcohol. 

Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder

There are a variety of alcohol addiction symptoms, and not everyone experiences the same symptoms. You may only experience some or all of the following signs:

• Feeling strong cravings and urges for alcohol
• Not able to control or limit the amount you drink
• Spending a lot of time thinking about alcohol
• Isolating self from loved ones, hobbies, and friends
• Failing to fulfill commitments including at home or work
• Withdrawal symptoms 

There is a broad range of alcohol use disorder symptoms. However, if you think you are drinking too much or drinking has begun to cause problems, it is time to seek help. Another sign that it is time to address your alcohol use is when family members voice concerns about your drinking. 

What Is an Alcohol Treatment Center?

There are different ways to seek support for alcohol addiction, including alcohol treatment centers in Tennessee. An alcohol treatment center is also known as alcohol rehab, or it may be a drug and alcohol abuse rehab center. 

Alcohol treatment centers offer different inpatient and outpatient treatment programs to help you overcome your alcohol addiction. Treatment can include medications, proper nutrition, counseling, experiential therapies, yoga, and other healing modalities. Alcohol addiction treatment aims to offer long-term solutions for managing and overcoming alcohol use disorder. 

However, the first step of these programs is usually medical detox from alcohol. This detoxification process is done with medical supervision to manage the withdrawal symptoms and support you through the experience.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms  

So, what are alcohol withdrawal symptoms? Withdrawal symptoms occur when someone with an alcohol addiction decreases or stops drinking. 

You can experience withdrawal symptoms whenever you have a break from alcohol use, which can perpetuate the addiction, as you want to find a way to relieve symptoms. Rehab centers in Tennessee will support you through the process and have ways to mitigate the withdrawal symptoms.

Symptoms can range in severity from mild to severe. They can also be physical or psychological symptoms. 

Physical Withdrawal Symptoms 

Physical withdrawal symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for other issues initially; however, they can be an early indicator of alcohol addiction. Physical withdrawal symptoms can occur on the same day you stop or reduce alcohol use. Some common physical withdrawal symptoms include:

• Hand tremors (sometimes referred to as ‘the shakes’)
• Headaches
• Loss of appetite 
• Sweating 
• Nausea or vomiting 
• Sleep problems 
• Fast heart rate 
• Dilated pupils 

Between 12 and 48 hours after stopping drinking, symptoms can include seizures, repeated vomiting, fever, and severe shaking. If you or a loved one experiences this, it is essential to seek medical attention. When at alcohol treatment centers, you will have the support to withdraw from alcohol safely. 

Physiological Symptoms 

It is common for psychiatric comorbidities to occur with alcohol use disorder, either being a cause or effect. After all, alcohol increases inhibitory chemicals in your brain, such as GABA, and decreases excitatory chemicals such as glutamate. It also releases dopamine, linked to your brain’s reward system. 

The result is that you think alcohol makes you feel good, but it actually triggers low mood and depression. When you stop drinking alcohol, the physiological impact becomes evident, with symptoms including:

• Agitation and irritability 
• Nightmares
• Anxiety 
• Depression
• Restlessness 
• Mood swings 
• Nightmares 
• Racing thoughts 

Sometimes alcohol withdrawal can become severe, and you can experience confusion and hallucinations. Hallucinations are when you feel, see, or hear things that are not real. This is sometimes referred to as delirium tremens (DTs), and around 5% of people experience it.  

Withdrawal Symptom Support

Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol addiction can be difficult and even dangerous to deal with without medical support. Without medical help, it is common to start drinking again to relieve the symptoms. However, withdrawal symptoms can also be life-threatening, which is why an alcohol treatment center is the best place to overcome alcohol addiction. 

Physical withdrawal symptoms often end first, but physiological symptoms can last longer. However, alcohol treatment centers in Tennessee have the expertise to help you prepare and deal with withdrawal. You will know what to expect in advance, which enables you to manage the difficult feelings that can arise.

Plus, you will have a team of medical experts on hand to help manage the symptoms, such as medication-assisted treatment or counseling. Inpatient care includes 24-hour medical support, so you always have someone on hand if you need assistance.

Rehab from alcohol also helps remove you from the environment and the triggers that perpetuate your alcohol addiction. You will be in a safe environment away from any temptation, which can also help you focus on withdrawal and overcome alcohol addiction. Once you finish the medical detox, you can focus on long-term recovery tools. 

Alcohol Treatment Centers in Tennessee

It is important to know the alcohol withdrawal symptoms to identify them in yourself or a loved one. It is also important to know that this is part of alcohol addiction treatment. However, you can have peace of mind that medical detox is the best way to manage withdrawal.

Are you looking for alcohol treatment centers in Tennessee? Apex Recovery is a premier Tennessee rehab for alcohol and drug abuse. Reach out for help today.