Can You Die from Alcohol Detox?

The Dangers Associated with Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal from a number of substances, including alcohol, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates, can be lethal. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal have been linked to death – and proper care is vital.

With the help of medical professionals and/or close monitoring, alcohol detox can be done in a safe and controlled environment. Most of us are aware of the grave dangers associated with overusing alcohol or drugs.

However, the dangers of putting them down can be worse after a long history with them. If you’re at risk of experiencing alcohol withdrawal, you might want to read this until the end. We will answer the question, can you die from alcohol detox? and much more. If you are struggling with drinking, Resurgence Texas offers effective programs for sobriety!

How Does Resurgence Texas Fit Into This Equation?

Most heavy drinkers and drug abusers realize they are putting their lives in danger whenever they partake in excess drinking – but is alcohol withdrawal syndrome fatal? Detoxing from alcohol abuse is dangerous and should never be attempted without medical help and close supervision.

Do not hesitate to seek medical attention if you or someone you know is experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms when detoxing from alcohol addiction. Make a 911 call right away. One person’s life could depend on you doing this. If you have any questions concerning alcohol detox, alcoholism, or addiction in general, or if you need help following the advice in this article, please contact Resurgence Texas

How Does Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome Cause Death?

You’ve probably heard it before, but you’re still curious about the alcohol abuse withdrawal death rate. Withdrawal from alcohol addiction can have varying degrees of intensity. The severity is proportional to the quantity and duration of alcohol consumed. There’s also the matter of individual physiological differences to consider.

While your friend may have been able to beat alcohol abuse suddenly without experiencing withdrawal symptoms, the same cannot be said for you. The discomfort of withdrawal from alcohol dependence is a major downside. Symptoms are also erratic and extremely tough on the body. You should take withdrawal symptoms and alcohol use disorder very seriously. Seizures, and other involuntary episodes, such as convulsions, are the most common complication of alcohol withdrawal after alcohol dependence.

What are the Initial Signs of Alcohol Withdrawal?

As little as 6 hours after your last drink, you may start to feel the earliest signs of alcohol withdrawal.

How can one identify the signs of alcohol withdrawal?

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms might be quite mild to rather severe. People who have alcohol use disorder and drink over an extended length of time tend to have more severe symptoms.

Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms worsen the longer they go untreated. A person with extensive alcoholism may start experiencing delirium tremens, sometimes known as “DTs,” at this point. Hallucinations and false beliefs are hallmarks of delirium tremens. A deadly seizure can occur during alcohol withdrawal for anyone with an alcohol use disorder. Keep this in mind the next time you are asked if you can die from alcohol withdrawal.

In most cases, symptoms subside after a week. On the other hand, these signs and symptoms may linger for a little longer in certain individuals.

Some people experience their first symptoms just a few hours after their last drink. Examples of symptoms could be:

• Inability to sleep
• Sickness and throwing up
• Having a tense, anxious feeling
• Headache

In those whose alcoholism is not as severe, these indicators may not present themselves at all. In this case, there’s not much of a chance these individuals could die from alcohol withdrawal.

Usually, symptoms worsen when they initially emerge. Typically, two days is all it takes for symptoms to pass in these cases.

Overview of Signs and symptoms for More Severe Cases

It’s possible that those with more advanced alcoholism will have more severe symptoms.

Hallucinations

When there’s a risk that you could die from alcohol withdrawal, the hallucinations are quite intense. This is one of the most potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms. You may picture people who aren’t there or talk to people who aren’t present. Auditory hallucinations are one of the most common side effects.

Withdrawal Seizures

The nature of these seizures is systemic. It’s common to have these throughout the first day sober, much like hallucinations.

Status Epilepticus

About 3% of people with seizures are at risk for developing status epilepticus, a more severe form of seizure. These aren’t the standard grand mal seizures associated with experiencing alcohol withdrawal. This is a life-or-disability-threatening medical emergency, according to reliable sources. This goes far beyond a person who might experience withdrawal symptoms and may last a lifetime.

Delirium Tremens

The most severe side effect of quitting drinking is a condition called delirium tremens, which can be fatal. Two or three days after abstaining from alcohol may lead to this condition. In a sense, this is a combination of all of the above side effects of instances when severe alcohol withdrawal occurs. This byproduct’s possible signs and symptoms include:

• Unsure of who you are
• Experiencing hallucinations
• High heart rate
• Shallow breathing
• Blood pressure spikes
• A mild fever
• Heavy sweating
• Experiencing agitation and confusion
• Loss of consciousness

The risk of dying from delirium tremens is low if people take precautions and start therapy right away.

The Danger of Delirium Tremens

It’s more likely that delirium tremens will manifest in those who already have a predisposition toward it. Everyone, from the elderly to the young who have developed this condition in the past, falls within this category. Normally these are the ideal candidates for the alcohol intake process for detox. Early treatment and constant medical supervision are crucial.

Can Doctors Determine If Someone Is Going Through Withdrawal?

Acute alcohol withdrawal is not detectable by any standard diagnostic procedures. Your doctor will instead diagnose you with withdrawal and assess its severity based on your medical history and a physical examination.

The following are examples of questions that might be included in a comprehensive medical history:

• How much time you’ve spent drinking
• How much alcohol you consume
• How long since your last drink.
• If you’ve ever gone through alcohol withdrawal
• Do you suffer from mental health issues

It’s crucial to be honest with your doctor about your heavy drinking, despite the fact that it may be awkward to discuss the subject given the stigma it carries. Alternatively, you can go directly to Resurgence Texas and speak with a professional to receive immediate help.

They can better diagnose your disease and provide a course of therapy if they have all the information they need. Long-term, this is for your benefit.

A person’s heart, liver, and neurological system can all suffer from excessive or chronic alcohol consumption. To further investigate potential alcohol-related harm, your doctor may order blood testing.

How is Alcoholism Identified?

Your doctor can diagnose alcoholism in a number of ways. These things may include:

• In-person checkup. To do so, it may be necessary to undergo a battery of laboratory tests to determine your current state of health and search for signs of chronic or heavy alcohol use.
• Mental capacity tests. This assessment can shed light on your inner workings and habits. The latest edition of the DSM (DSM-5) can be used to assist in the diagnosing process by your physician.

Treating Alcohol Withdrawal

In order to combat alcohol withdrawal, doctors prescribe medication and provide emotional support.

Treatment based on emotional support goes a long way, especially during the aftercare phases. Physical remedies are also important.

Some examples of such care are:

• Staying hydrated by drinking adequate fluids and eating foods high in nutrients
• IV fluids
• Other medications such as benzos and prescriptions that decrease blood pressure

Three drugs for alcoholism treatment have been given the green light by the FDA.

These drugs include:oo

• Acamprosate can alleviate or even avoid withdrawal symptoms.
• When taken with alcohol, it might bring on some unpleasant side effects like nausea. This gives one incentive to stay away from alcohol.
• Naltrexone’s ability to inhibit particular brain receptors is what allows it to reduce alcohol cravings.

Benzodiazepines have long been the go-to medication for treating alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Those pills make you sleepy. They help with withdrawal symptoms, and they can also stop seizures and DTs. The following are the most widely used:

• Diazepam (Valium)
• Lorazepam (Ativan)
• Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)

Clonidine (Catapres) and haloperidol (Haldol) are also readily available in most medical detox settings.

Never Underestimate Alcohol Withdrawal

The severity of withdrawal symptoms is proportional to the individual’s degree of dependence on alcohol and can quickly become life-threatening. Therefore, it is crucial that you take precautions to ensure a safe withdrawal process.

If you know that you’re going to experience these symptoms, it’s important to make a plan. Don’t wait until the last minute when symptoms have started, and you’re unable to function. This is a surefire way to set yourself up for failure.

You can avoid the hassle of having to make these plans yourself by contacting the staff at Resurgence Texas. We do all the planning for you – we just need your commitment.

Resurgence Texas and Long-Term Recovery

We have successfully helped countless clients at Resurgence Texas go through alcohol detox because of our medically-assisted approach. To avoid failing at this task, team up with others. Don’t hesitate to call and speak with a professional here at our company.

Get in touch with our admissions staff right away to learn more about how we can support you through the most challenging stages of alcohol withdrawal.