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Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
Post Info TOPIC: Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
Doll


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Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
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Withdrawals Can Be Mild, Moderate or SevereAlcohol withdrawal refers to a group of symptoms that may occur from suddenly stopping the use of alcohol after chronic or prolonged ingestion.

Not everyone who stops drinking experiences withdrawal symptoms, but most people who have been drinking for a long period of time, or drinking frequently, or drink heavily when they do drink, will experience some form of withdrawal symptoms if they stop drinking suddenly.

There is no way to predict how any individual will respond to quitting. If you plan to stop drinking and you have been drinking for years, or if you drink heavily when you do drink, or even if you drink moderately but frequently, you should consult a medical professional before going "cold turkey."

For more information about withdrawals, see Alcohol Withdrawal. Withdrawal Symptoms:

Mild to moderate psychological symptoms:

  • Feeling of jumpiness or nervousness
  • Feeling of shakiness
  • Anxiety
  • Irritability or easily excited
  • Emotional volatility, rapid emotional changes
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty with thinking clearly
  • Bad dreams

Mild to moderate physical symptoms:

  • Headache - general, pulsating
  • Sweating, especially the palms of the hands or the face
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Insomnia, sleeping difficulty
  • Paleness
  • Rapid heart rate (palpitations)
  • Eyes, pupils different size (enlarged, dilated pupils)
  • Skin, clammy
  • Abnormal movements
    • Tremor of the hands
    • Involuntary, abnormal movements of the eyelids

Severe symptoms:

  • A state of confusion and hallucinations (visual) -- known as delirium tremens
  • Agitation
  • Fever
  • Convulsions
  • "Black outs" -- when the person forgets what happened during the drinking episode
Source: National Institutes of Health


-- Edited by Doll at 17:07, 2007-02-19

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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...
  It's about learning to dance in the rain.
Laura


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Thank you, Doll.
Fortunately, I've only experienced the headaches (both the pulsating and general) and irritability (the latter of the two being the most unpleasent for those around me). On day 9, my irratibility has subsided and the headaches are less frequent and painful. This is great information--I hadn't even thought about it being important to seek a physician's assistance with quiting for safety sake! I'd think depression would be an issue for many people, but I'm already on antidepressants so that has probably helped me out a great deal. Thanks again!


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kbstandup


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during my getting sober I experienced almost all of them, at times I thought for sure I was going to die and at one point just said fine let whatever happens happen and don't be scared. I think this got rid of the stress which does a huge number on your body anyway. I'll take another 24....... Kaylon

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Kaylon P. Blackburn
hotscrappin


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I give great thanks that this information is posted online and somewhat easy to find when looking around.  It gives me hope I printed it off so I can remind myself and remember how bad it is when I am using and that even a bad clean day is never as bad as a day using!

Just for today I am clean from alcohol for the rarely few times over the last 12 years and i am only 24 years old.

Thanks

Ang S.

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Laura


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Good for you, Ang S., that you have chosen today to be alcohol free! Please come back and check in.
Take care,
Laura

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Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal