Can Alcohol Withdrawals Kill You?

When you decide to overcome alcoholism, you’re taking a giant leap toward taking back your life and your health. Particularly when alcohol withdrawal occurs, the road ahead is fraught with difficulty.

For anybody prepared to face and fight their craving for alcohol, understanding the process of alcohol detox is essential. From alcohol withdrawal symptoms to methods of alcohol detoxification, here’s everything you need to know about the process.

What is Alcohol Withdrawal?

Alcohol withdrawal is a series of symptoms that can occur when an individual who has been drinking heavily for a long time suddenly stops or significantly reduces their alcohol intake. This condition arises because the body becomes physically dependent on alcohol, and its sudden absence throws the body’s systems into disarray.

Alcohol has a depressant effect on the brain. With regular, heavy use, the brain starts to adjust to the constant presence of alcohol by altering its chemistry to keep the nervous system in a more awakened state.

When alcohol consumption is suddenly removed, the brain remains in this heightened state, leading to withdrawal symptoms.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

One of the first steps towards beating alcoholism is to detox from alcohol, a process often accompanied by acute withdrawal symptoms requiring medical supervision. This is an incredibly vital step. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal may include:

• Anxiety
• Sleep disturbances
• Nausea 
• Headaches 
• Tremors 
• Irritability 
• Mood swings

Delirium Tremens 

The most acute alcohol withdrawal symptom to look out for is called delirium tremens (DT). This condition can lead to alcohol withdrawal seizures and result in death if left untreated. Delirium tremens, a severe form of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, is usually present between 48 and 72 hours after the last drink.

Statistically, most people who receive medical treatment when DT presents itself will live through it. The mortality rate, with immediate medical attention for severe alcohol withdrawal, is less than 5%.

It is of utmost importance that detox from using alcohol, often referred to as medical detox, be conducted under medical supervision due to the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

While the statistics indicate that alcohol withdrawal will not lead to death, the chances, slim as they might be, are still present – especially without medical professionals on hand to render aid when experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms.

To answer the question, can you die from alcohol withdrawal? The short answer is yes; however, the probability is fairly low with proper treatment and the correct management of this condition.

Managing Alcohol Withdrawal Safely

Symptoms of withdrawal can begin as early as two hours after the last drink, peak in severity within the first 24 to 48 hours, and may continue in a less severe form for weeks. The most critical period is often the first 48 hours, where monitoring and support are crucial to safely managing potential complications. 

It’s strongly recommended to seek professional medical advice before attempting to quit alcohol, especially after prolonged heavy use. Medical professionals can provide a safe environment for detoxification, offer medication to ease withdrawal symptoms, and support the individual through the process with counselling and therapy.

Recognising the need to address alcohol withdrawal is the first step toward recovery. It’s a sign of taking control back from addiction and moving towards a healthier, more fulfilling life. With the right support and treatment, individuals can navigate through withdrawal from alcohol safely and begin the journey of healing and recovery from heavy alcohol use.

Types of Treatments For Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol is everywhere, but if it’s causing problems, know that there’s help out there. Many people have faced alcohol use disorder and have found their way back to a sober life – despite experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Most success stories share something in common – they didn’t withdraw from alcohol alone.

A lot of people who overcame their struggle with alcohol have found hope and healing through professional help, underscoring the importance of treating alcohol withdrawal with a comprehensive approach. These treatments can offer a new start for anyone ready to take that step.

1. Inpatient treatment: These programs offer a safe space to stay away from daily stressors for a while. You’ll have access to medical care, therapy, and support groups, all focused on helping you recover.
2. Outpatient rehab: If you have responsibilities that you can’t step away from, outpatient programs allow you to receive treatment during the day but live at home. You’ll still get professional support and therapy; it just fits around your schedule.
3. Detoxification: The first step for many in recovery is detox, which helps your body adjust to not having alcohol. It’s safest to detox under medical supervision because withdrawal can be tough and sometimes dangerous.
4. Medication: Some medicines can help reduce cravings or make drinking less appealing. A doctor can advise you if this might be a good option.
5. Therapy: Talking with a therapist can help you understand the root causes of your drinking, learn new coping skills, and plan for a future without alcohol. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one common approach.
6. Support groups: Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) provide a community of people who understand what you’re going through, offering crucial support during the management of alcohol withdrawal. Sharing experiences and strategies can be incredibly supportive.
7. Holistic therapies: Some find practices like yoga, meditation, or acupuncture helpful in managing stress and emotions without alcohol.

Getting Help for Alcohol Dependence

Alcohol dependence can be hard to shake, but with appropriate medical detox, it doesn’t have to be permanent. Many alcoholics go through the withdrawal process, go to rehab, and then go back out into the world with the skills they need to cope in a world where the things they crave are everywhere.

At Sivana Bali, we offer personalised treatments for alcohol withdrawal so that patients can get the help they need to treat alcohol withdrawal effectively. We’ll help you detox safely and manage dangerous withdrawal symptoms should they occur. 

Once the alcohol consumed is out of your system, our inpatient program will use a variety of therapeutic approaches, including drug and alcohol counselling, to get to the root of alcohol issues. We’ll go through your history of alcohol use to help you address your alcohol dependence.

Sivana Bali understands just how hard it can be to find help for alcohol abuse and how hard it can be to stay sober even after inpatient treatment for alcohol detox. That’s why we offer an aftercare program to help patients avoid consuming alcohol and address their dependence on it.

Rehabilitation and Long-Term Recovery at Sivana Bali

Alcohol withdrawal can be challenging, affecting the central nervous system, but it’s a crucial step towards a healthier life. Going through alcohol detox is not one you have to undertake alone. Our team is here to provide the care and support you need, ensuring you’re safe and comfortable.

We’re here to support you on this journey to safely detox from alcohol misuse. We encourage you to contact us if you’re considering taking this step. Let’s walk this path together toward a future free from alcohol and the struggle with addiction. Your courage to seek help is the first step towards reclaiming your life.