Alcoholism - The Withdrawal Syndrome
Sudden withdrawal of alcohol from a person who has developed physical dependence on it can lead to a number of symptoms. The picture can vary between individuals, and may include shaky or jittery hands, increase in heart rate, breathing rate and body temperature, sleeplessness often accompanied by bad dreams, irritability and stomach upset. These symptoms begin within five to ten hours of last dose, peak in severity on day two or three, and improve by day four or five. Anxiety, sleeplessness and other mild symptoms may persist for six months or more and may contribute to return to drinking. About five per cent habitual drinkers show severe withdrawal symptoms. They suffer from confusion, and hear voices, see horrifying images or feel objects that do not exist. It takes several days before theses symptoms disappear and the mental state becomes clearer. A small number may suffer from generalized convulsions, called rum fits, within 48 hours of stopping drinking. In some cases, they may experience delirium tremens, which produces confusion, severe agitation, terrifying hallucinations, and sleeplessness. As this delirium progresses, the hands develop a persistent and uncontrollable shaking that may extend to the head and body.
Tagged under:alcoholism anxiety sleeplessness body temperature breathing rate confusion hallucinations horrifying images irritability mild symptoms stomach upset withdrawal symptoms