Deal With Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

My article in oneindia.com:  http://www.boldsky.com/health/wellness/2013/deal-with-alcohol-withdrawal-symptoms-033633.html

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a difficult situation that has to be faced by people who have been consuming alcohol for weeks, months, or years and then stops or significantly reduce it. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms may start as early as two hours after the last drink and can last from hours to weeks. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be noticed in people who undergo medication to get rid of their alcohol addiction as well.

The condition definitely needs medical assistance depending on the type of symptoms and the ability of the person to cope with it. The symptoms may vary from mild to severe which may include shaking hands, sweating, nausea, insomnia, headache, hallucinations, increased heart rate and seizure. Here are some points to be kept in mind if you or any of your dear ones are going through the difficult situation of alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Deal With Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

1. Stay hydrated: It is important to drink more water as it is needed to keep you hydrated, because dehydration is very common during detoxification. You may try fresh fruit juices as well to supplement the essential factors like glucose, electrolytes, minerals and vitamins.

2. Distract yourself: It is natural to get carvings which may force your thoughts to go back to alcohol. But it is not much difficult to overcome it if you really want to get rid of it. All you have to do is to get distracted when you experience these types of thoughts.

3. Support: Support from family and friends are one of the essential necessities for helping anybody to deal with and overcome alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Understanding the condition of a patient will help others to give the needed extra care for them. Support from the dear ones will give the person more secure and positive feelings.

4. Follow normal biological clock: It will take a little time for your body to get adjusted to the normal biological rhythm. One of the important alcohol withdrawal symptoms is sleeplessness. Keep an order in your sleeping pattern by staying awake in the morning and sleeping in the night.

5. Behavioural therapy: With the help of a therapist, you may learn how to control your actions and improve your behaviour. This will help you to cope with situations which are more prone to make you depend on alcohol use. Behavioural therapy, both motivational and cognitive help you to deal with alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

6. Prescription drugs: Based on the severity and duration the alcohol withdrawal symptoms, your medical practitioner may prescribe you medicines which may contain benzodiazepines. Such medications may help you to control the anxiety, shakiness and confusion. Anticonvulsant drug carbamazepine is another choice for mild to moderate symptoms.

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