Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment at Home: What To Know
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Humans are incredibly adaptable — we thrive in extreme environments across the globe, and we’ve made it through incredible natural disasters, pandemics, wars, and great migrations. This adaptability shows up in everyday life when we bounce back from common setbacks.
When we develop alcohol dependence and make the brave choice to change our relationship with alcohol, there may be a period of adjustment — withdrawal. Let’s take a good look at this adjustment period and ways to manage alcohol withdrawal at home, where we are most comfortable. Even if it’s unpleasant, the payoff is worth it: once we get through this, we can start enjoying all the benefits of living alcohol-free.
When we drink regularly for weeks, months, or years, our body makes fundamental adaptations to the “new normal” of alcohol being present. Once dependence develops, a sudden stop or sharp reduction in alcohol use is a huge shock for our system — a.k.a., withdrawal. It’s our body’s process of recognizing and adjusting to its new-new normal. Depending on the severity and length of our dependence, symptoms can range from mild discomfort to life-threatening.
During this time, the central nervous system (CNS) is hyper-excitable, which creates our symptoms of withdrawal. Let’s look at some possible symptoms:
In severe cases, we may experience more life-threatening symptoms:
The symptoms are essentially the opposite of the effects of alcohol, sort of like a rebound from alcohol’s sedative effects.
Regular consumption of alcohol affects the central nervous system. Consider how different we feel when we drink — calm, numb, sleepy, slow. Our body jumps into action to counteract these effects and bring us back to homeostasis.
Over time, our body adapts to the effects of alcohol by adjusting the production of neurotransmitters transmitters — their functions are either functions are either replaced by or hindered by alcohol. Think of it like sitting at home in the heat of summer: you’re in shorts and a t-shirt with the A/C blasting and a fan on. Suddenly, it’s a freezing cold winter’s day. You need to unpack your sweaters from storage, put on some fuzzy socks, turn on the heat, and maybe make some warm tea.
When alcohol use is abruptly reduced or stopped, our brain needs to unpack all the neurotransmitters it had stored away and turn off the overproduction of others — and this takes some time.
While alcohol is in our system, it increases the function of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter that calms us and slows us down. It also suppresses glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter. When we sober up, the suppressed glutamate system rebounds, causing increased activity and excitability, a key factor in many withdrawal (and hangover!) symptoms.
Quitting alcohol abruptly, known as going “cold turkey,” usually produces the most noticeable symptoms, and it’s most commonly associated with the state of withdrawal. The cold turkey approach can be difficult (and sometimes dangerous), but it is also a decisive step towards recovery. With the proper support, it can be effective.
So, what can we expect from withdrawal? Let’s take a look.
Treating alcohol withdrawal involves a combination of medical interventions, therapies, and, in some cases, rehabilitation programs. The approach depends on the severity of the withdrawal symptoms and our overall health.
Benzodiazepines are frequently used to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms by calming the nervous system. They help prevent seizures and reduce agitation. Other pharmaceuticals may include anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, and medications to address specific symptoms like nausea or headaches.
For long-term treatment, a doctor may prescribe medications like naltrexone or disulfiram to help maintain sobriety and prevent relapse.
Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) are not just for long-term peer support. They can be a crucial lifeline during the withdrawal period when we may be tempted to pick up a drink and “make all the symptoms go away.” In addition to in-person meetings, many support programs offer online, video, and phone meetings throughout the day. (The Reframe app offers meetings multiple times each day and 24/7 access to forums full of supportive, encouraging people to help during the withdrawal process.)
In the most severe cases of withdrawal, medical support may be necessary. Inpatient rehab programs offer a controlled environment with supervised medical care. Mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms can be weathered at home or in outpatient rehab settings.
It’s absolutely possible to treat alcohol withdrawal at home with patience, support, and a clear plan. Withdrawal can be managed with home remedies for alcohol withdrawal or under the guidance of a healthcare provider or support partner.
When undergoing alcohol withdrawal treatment at home, it’s important to be familiar with the symptoms and be alert to signs of needing to seek more advanced care. Let’s break it down:
Those of us who have experienced severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal previously are more likely to experience them again. In this case, it may be better to seek preemptive medical care during the withdrawal process.
A care partner, peer support network, or healthcare professional can be a crucial independent observer during the withdrawal period, providing us with comfort care through the process. Even in cases of mild withdrawal, a healthcare professional can offer guidance and support for managing symptoms safely. If we have someone to lean on or can reach out to a professional when necessary, we should include this in our plan.
If you're managing mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms at home, here are some essential tips to make the process as safe and effective as possible:
By following these tips, you can help ensure a safer and more manageable withdrawal process at home. However, always be prepared to seek professional medical help if the situation warrants it.
After the acute symptoms of withdrawal wear off, the long-term period of alcohol misuse recovery begins. This extends beyond the immediate management of withdrawal symptoms and encompasses a comprehensive approach of therapy, support, and self-work. Over the next few months, your body will continue to adjust to its “new-new normal” as the hedonic setpoint recovers to a healthy baseline level of happiness and well-being.
Long-term recovery entails seeking out support in whatever way works — whether that’s a support group, professional counseling, or a self-care routine. Processing the dependence period is crucial to prevent relapse and set us on the course for long-term recovery. It requires dedication and resilience, but users of the Reframe app are an example that it is possible to thrive in a life of sobriety!
1. What is alcohol withdrawal?
Alcohol withdrawal is a set of symptoms that can occur when regular alcohol users suddenly stop drinking.
2. What are the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal?
Symptoms can range from mild discomforts like insomnia, nausea, anxiety, and mood swings, to severe symptoms like hallucinations, seizures, and delirium tremens (DTs).
3. What helps with alcohol withdrawal?
Rest, hydration, sleep, and proper nutrition are key. Over-the-counter pain and nausea meds can help with the most uncomfortable symptoms, while moderate symptoms can be managed with medications prescribed by a healthcare provider — even over televisit.
4. Can I treat alcohol withdrawal at home?
Yes. With a solid plan and a care partner (or support network), it is possible to treat alcohol withdrawal at home — but keep an eye out for severe and life-threatening symptoms and make a plan to get help if they show up.
5. What are the danger signs of alcohol withdrawal?
If you notice hallucinations, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), persistent vomiting, seizures, severe tremors, confusion, or high fever above 102 F (39 C), it’s time to go to the hospital.
Although it isn’t a treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD), the Reframe app can help you cut back on drinking gradually, with the science-backed knowledge to empower you 100% of the way. Our proven program has helped millions of people around the world drink less and live more. And we want to help you get there, too!
The Reframe app equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to not only survive drinking less, but to thrive while you navigate the journey. Our daily research-backed readings teach you the neuroscience of alcohol, and our in-app Toolkit provides the resources and activities you need to navigate each challenge.
You’ll meet millions of fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings. Receive encouragement from people worldwide who know exactly what you’re going through! You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our licensed Reframe coaches for more personalized guidance.
Plus, we’re always introducing new features to optimize your in-app experience. We recently launched our in-app chatbot, Melody, powered by the world’s most powerful AI technology. Melody is here to help as you adjust to a life with less (or no) alcohol.
And that’s not all! Every month, we launch fun challenges, like Dry/Damp January, Mental Health May, and Outdoorsy June. You won’t want to miss out on the chance to participate alongside fellow Reframers (or solo if that’s more your thing!).
The Reframe app is free for 7 days, so you don’t have anything to lose by trying it. Are you ready to feel empowered and discover life beyond alcohol? Then download our app through the App Store or Google Play today!
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