VIVITROL®, a Medication for Alcohol Dependence

Treating AUD deserves the same attention we give to opioid overdose, diabetic ketoacidosis, or hypertensive emergencies. Alcohol can interact with these drugs, causing dangerous side effects or complications. There may be other circumstances where you shouldn’t take benzodiazepines with certain foods or beverages. Your healthcare provider can answer questions about whether to change what you eat or drink while taking these medications. Proper nutrition and hydration are vital during the withdrawal process.

• Treatment programs address physical withdrawal, psychological addiction, and underlying mental health issues contributing to alcohol use disorder.
• Symptoms typically emerge because the nervous system has adapted to alcohol’s effects and needs time to stabilize.
• After alcohol detox ends, individuals often move into outpatient or other structured treatment programs.
• Benzodiazepinesare often the first treatment doctors suggest for alcohol withdrawal.
• Medical detox ensures you will be as safe as possible by providing 24/7 monitoring that helps recognize and treat complications effectively and as rapidly as possible.

What are the best methods for managing hand shaking after drinking?

When the alcohol level in your system suddenly drops, your brain stays in this overactive state. Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability, and up-to-date clinical standards. It’s difficult to predict who will and who won’t experience alcohol withdrawal — and how severe it will be. When you stop consuming alcohol after prolonged, heavy use, your CNS can’t respond or regulate itself fast enough. It becomes overexcited because there’s no more alcohol to slow it down.

Symptoms of Influence and Withdrawal

Symptoms often begin within six to 12 hours after your last drink. During this initial phase, you might notice anxiety, shaking, headache, nausea, vomiting, and sweating. These early symptoms can be mild, but they signal that your body is beginning to react to the absence of alcohol. Alcohol withdrawal can be uncomfortable and potentially dangerous. Many people also experience strong cravings for alcohol that can come in waves. For people with very heavy or prolonged alcohol use, this acute phase might extend to 10 days or slightly longer.

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More severe symptoms like confusion, hallucinations, or seizures require immediate medical attention. If tremors are temporarily relieved by drinking, this strongly indicates alcohol dependence. Experiencing shaking after drinking can range from a temporary inconvenience to a warning sign of serious alcohol dependence.

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• Moderate symptoms can include increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, confusion, irritability, and heightened sensitivity to light or sound.
• Alcohol withdrawal treatment is a key part of recovery for people who stop drinking alcohol.
• These agents should be considered routine therapy—just as buprenorphine has become standard for opioid use disorder (OUD).
• Talk to a doctor about your personal history and what’s right for you.

When appropriately selected, each can play a valuable role in patient care. Cleveland Clinic’s primary care providers offer lifelong medical care. From sinus infections and high blood pressure to preventive screening, we’re here for you.

What Happens After Alcohol Detox in Rehab Programs?

In this article, we will explore the process of alcohol withdrawal, its symptoms, and most importantly, how to manage these symptoms to ensure a smooth transition into sobriety. Medical detox for alcohol withdrawal typically takes place in a specialized detox facility or hospital setting. Upon admission, healthcare providers conduct a comprehensive assessment of your drinking history, medical background, and current symptoms.

This makes future withdrawals more dangerous and difficult to manage. Getting through withdrawal is an important first step, but it’s just the beginning of recovery. Once your body has cleared the alcohol and the acute withdrawal phase is over, the real work of building a new life begins. Once the acute physical withdrawal is over, your brain continues healing. This healing process can create symptoms that are less intense than early withdrawal but can last much longer. Post-acute withdrawal syndrome reflects your brain’s ongoing efforts to restore balance after months or years of alcohol’s effects.

What are the signs of a substance use disorder?

A comprehensive treatment plan should be tailored to the individual’s specific needs and goals, and should be regularly monitored and adjusted as needed. The most dangerous alcohol withdrawal symptoms are seizures and delirium tremens. Seizures typically occur within hours after the last drink and can happen without warning.

Each subsequent withdrawal also tends to be Alcohol Withdrawal more severe than previous episodes. People struggling with alcohol use disorder often neglect proper hydration, choosing alcohol over water and other healthy beverages. The resulting dehydration affects brain function and increases vulnerability to seizures during withdrawal.