If you’re concerned that someone you love is struggling with alcohol withdrawal, don’t wait. The National Rehab Hotline connects people with trusted treatment resources and professional support across the country. Reaching out early can help reduce risks and set the path toward lasting recovery. Alcohol withdrawal typically progresses through several stages, with symptoms becoming more severe over time.
There are also certain foods like tea, fish and nuts that can benefit the liver’s function in many ways. Think of it as giving your liver a little boost in the right direction. “Nutrition therapy is very important in terms of feeding the liver and giving it the building blocks it needs to restore itself,” says Dr. Lindenmeyer. Another thing that will help your liver’s journey in recovery is good nutrition. There’s no miracle diet by any means, but the Mediterranean diet, for example, can help fill some of the nutritional gaps you may have due to alcohol use. If your liver has taken a hit from prolonged alcohol use, there are ways to give it — and the rest of your body — a break.
The alcohol shakes occur because alcohol disrupts neurotransmitter balance in the brain. When alcohol leaves the system, the nervous system rebounds into a hyperactive state. For those with alcohol dependence, withdrawal symptoms become more severe. Your first appointment includes a detailed consultation with a clinician to review your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle factors, and goals.
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.
Typically, Ativan can be administered in spaced doses as directed, but if symptoms are deteriorating instead of stabilizing, that raises a concern. In this case, I cannot advise you to take another dose because you require medical supervision to ensure that your heart rate, blood pressure, and neurological condition remain stable. Alcohol withdrawal can lead to severe complications, and taking additional medication without oversight could either inadequately treat or excessively sedate you. With treatment, many people manage addiction and live full, healthy lives. But recovering from substance use disorders and behavioral addictions isn’t easy. Supportive friends, family members and healthcare providers play an essential role in effective treatment as well.
Your liver has enzymes that work like special tools to help metabolize (break down) different toxins that enter your body, such as alcohol. Learn the steps of preventing relapse of substance use disorder. For example, if you overdose on opioids, it targets the part of your brain that regulates your breathing. If not treated quickly, your breathing slows or stops completely, leading to death. We have a team of experts that navigate the relationship with the insurance companies on your behalf to make sure you’re getting the highest levels of care at the least amount possible.
As you progress, you might step down to an intensive outpatient program that allows you to live at home while still receiving several hours of treatment each week. This gradual transition helps you practice your recovery skills in real-world situations while still having strong support. Duration and amount of alcohol use is one of the biggest factors.
Onset and progression vary between individuals, which is why monitored support is often recommended to identify changes early and maintain safety throughout withdrawal. Moderate symptoms can include increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, confusion, irritability, and heightened sensitivity to light or sound. Some individuals may experience difficulty concentrating or changes in perception, which can overlap with issues seen in how alcohol abuse leads to anxiety and depression. Taking these medications exactly as prescribed makes that unlikely, but it’s still possible. Your healthcare provider can tell you more about what you can do to avoid dependence on Alcohol Withdrawal these drugs or developing benzodiazepine use disorder. Your healthcare provider will likely recommend that you don’t work or drive right after you start taking benzodiazepines.
