Talk to your care team about how long you need to take this medication. When it is time to stop, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to reduce the risk of side effects. While it may not be something you perceptibly notice, one huge health benefit from stopping alcohol will occur by your third week of not drinking. Using alcohol frequently or consistently increases your blood pressure, leading to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
- More severe symptoms may occur in some individuals and require immediate supervised support.
- The goal of medication treatment is to alleviate discomfort, reduce the risk of complications, and promote a safe and successful recovery.
- It’s also possible that you’ll experience hallucinations, meaning you’ll see or hear things that seem real to you, but that aren’t really there.
- That can cause uncomfortable physical and mental symptoms, which can sometimes be life-threatening.
- You will likely have saved over $800 and avoided about 12,000 calories or more, allowing you to lose at least four pounds.
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Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects. Several genes that may increase an individual’s susceptibility to Alcohol Withdrawal AUD by affecting alcohol metabolism, brain chemistry, and reward systems. Numerous other genes influence the brain’s sensitivity to alcohol’s effects (e.g., DRD2, OPRM1 genes).
- They’re an important means of treating many conditions, ranging from mental health disorders to brain-related diseases.
- The primary reason benzodiazepines are considered the best medication for alcohol withdrawal is their proven ability to prevent major complications.
- Withdrawal from alcohol can cause dangerous complications including seizures, delirium tremens, and cardiovascular issues.
- People who have previously experienced withdrawal, have liver problems or other health issues are at greater risk for complications.
Complications or side effects of the treatment
Dialectical behavior therapy focuses on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT proves especially effective for people with co-occurring mood disorders or trauma histories. Skills learned in DBT help clients manage intense emotions without turning to alcohol.
Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle
Your healthcare provider is the best person to tell you more about the possible complications you might experience after your symptoms improve and confusion resolves. Your provider may also tell loved ones authorized to know and make choices about your care. Because benzodiazepines have a higher risk for misuse and can be habit-forming, healthcare providers tend to prescribe them cautiously.
Solutions Healthcare provides structured alcohol detox services with supervised support and professional oversight. Detox programs emphasize safety, symptom management, and clear transition planning into ongoing treatment environments designed to support continuity of care. Healthcare providers typically prescribe short-term medications to relieve the symptoms of mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal (alcohol withdrawal syndrome) is a range of symptoms that can happen if you stop or significantly reduce alcohol intake after long-term use. Sessions last 45 to 60 minutes focusing on personal triggers, coping strategies, relationship issues, and mental health concerns.
72 Hours
Chronic alcohol use severely depletes essential vitamins, particularly thiamine (B1). This deficiency can lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a serious and potentially permanent form of brain damage. Administering high-dose thiamine is a critical, standard procedure to prevent this complication.