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Abstinence syndrome is a condition that occurs after the abrupt withdrawal of alcohol. Its duration varies. It may be several hours or even several days. The syndrome is characterized by mental and systemic disorders. Its severity varies and has several degrees of occurrence, which are different for each person affected by withdrawal syndrome.
When does an abstinence syndrome develop?
It is worth remembering that withdrawal syndrome it is not only found in people who are addicted to alcohol. Even a single consumption of alcohol affects the brain that is exposed to the drink. In such a situation, the brain begins to function in a different way, the flow of information is limited and slowed down. When blood alcohol levels drop, the brain starts to function differently, becomes more agile and more agitated, which in turn can sometimes stimulate abnormal discharges in the cerebral cortex. This is most often manifested as agitation or nervousness.
Symptoms of the withdrawal syndrome
Abstinence syndrome manifests itself primarily through seizures and delirium, which is triggered by a sudden drop in blood alcohol. When a person has convulsions, the muscles contract. You lose control over your body, which can result in, for example, urinating or defecating. Symptoms of the withdrawal syndrome overlap with an epileptic seizure, which can be misleading when diagnosing the disease. There is a high risk of choking and suffocation. Prolonged seizures may consequently result in brain hypoxia and trauma resulting from hitting the head on a hard surface. A strong symptom withdrawal syndrome there is delirium, which affects a very large proportion of addicts. This condition is life-threatening. It leads to severe mental and systemic disorders. The symptoms of delirium are not always that strong from the beginning. First, it may be body tremors, anxiety, insomnia, anxiety, or agitation. A delirious person does not know where he is and at what point, he has no control over his own person. Other symptoms of withdrawal syndrome hallucinations and hallucinations that most often lead to aggression or bodily injury. Alcohol is also a diuretic. The consequence is a deficiency of calcium, magnesium and potassium due to electrolyte disturbances. It can also cause heart rhythm problems. The intensity of alcohol consumption also affects the intensity of symptoms. These are not always the strong conditions described above. Sometimes people feel slight anxiety, dizziness, headaches and nausea after ingestion.
Treatment of the withdrawal syndrome
Home remedies and self-treatment has a limited scope in the case withdrawal syndrome. During convulsions, no drugs, fluids, etc. must be administered. The help of third parties may be limited to placing a pillow. The patient should be protected against suffocation with ingestion and protection against head trauma. First of all, it is necessary to call an ambulance and inform the patient about the sickness and alcohol consumption. The most important preventive element treatment is to stop drinking alcohol. If the affected person withdrawal syndrome is willing to give up alcohol arbitrarily, there is no need for further treatment and medical intervention. Complications arise when there is no such voluntariness. In this situation, delirium and seizures may occur with each ingestion. Such people require hospitalization because, as we have already mentioned, the consequences are heart rhythm disturbances, pressure disturbances and a drop in electrolytes.
Duration of the withdrawal syndrome
Abstinence syndrome it can develop after the first heavy alcohol consumption, but this is not always the case. In this case, it is shorter than in an alcohol dependent person who drinks large amounts for a long time and suddenly gives up alcohol. For this reason withdrawal syndrome takes several hours or even several days. It is an individual matter depending on several factors.