Alcohol Withdrawal: The Science Behind It

The decision to overcome alcohol addiction is a powerful one. However, alcohol withdrawal can be a real challenge. The combination of physical and psychological symptoms can be quite uncomfortable - but they are manageable and will pass with time. 

In this blog, we'll take a closer look at the science behind alcohol withdrawal. We'll discuss what causes them, what the most common symptoms are, and how to best manage them.

What Are the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal?

Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS) is the name for the symptoms that occur when a heavy drinker suddenly stops or significantly reduces their alcohol intake. This is the result of your body trying to readjust after you’ve been drinking heavily for an extended period of time. The Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol (CIWA-Ar) is a series of questions used to measure AWS. It can also be used to assess the severity of your withdrawal symptoms. 

The scale measures the following 10 symptoms:

• agitation
• anxiety
• auditory disturbances
• inability to think clearly
• headache
• nausea and vomiting
• sudden, uncontrollable sweating
• tactile disturbances
• tremors
• visual disturbances

When someone stops drinking alcohol after a long period of dependency, they go through withdrawal. Withdrawal includes the physical and mental symptoms that occur after stopping or reducing intake of a drug. The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be quite severe and even life-threatening. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Shakiness
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Sweating
• Heart palpitations
• Upset stomach

The good news is that most of the symptoms are temporary and will go away once your body is readjusted. However, they can be pretty uncomfortable while they’re happening.

What Causes Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?

Let's take a closer look at what causes alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Typically, it's the result of stopping or significantly reducing alcohol intake after a period of heavy drinking.

When someone drinks alcohol, the molecules bind to GABA receptors in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter which prevents brain cells from sending signals to each other. Which is why it is called an inhibitory neurotransmitter. When alcohol binds to the receptor, it increases the effect of GABA in the brain. Hence it induces the effects you would normally associate with alcohol: loss of balance, lowered inhibitions, nausea, euphoria and other similar effects. 

When alcohol is consumed over long periods of time, the brain starts to adapt and protect itself. It essentially down-regulates GABA receptors so that it normalises the presence of alcohol. Then when alcohol is not present, the effect of GABA is reduced overall and alcohol withdrawal occurs. Since GABA inhibits brain signals, the brain itself is less inhibited and more stimulated. This leads to the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, like shakiness (muscles are more stimulated than usual due to more signals being sent from the brain), anxiety and a fast heart rate. In severe alcohol withdrawal (delirium tremens), seizures may also occur because electrical signals in the brain become uncontrolled and erratic.

These symptoms can range from mild to severe, and they can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. In some cases, they can even be life-threatening. That's why it's important to seek professional help if you're struggling with alcohol withdrawal.

If you're planning on quitting alcohol, it's important to do so under the supervision of a psychiatrist who can help you taper off safely and minimize the risk of developing withdrawal symptoms. 

How Can Alcohol Withdrawal Be Treated?

There are a few different ways that alcohol withdrawal can be treated. 

To begin, your psychiatrist will review your medical history, ask about your symptoms, and conduct a physical exam in order to give you a diagnosis. Once you have a diagnosis, you can begin treatment. 

Detoxification is the first step in treating alcoholism and can be accomplished through medication or a medically-monitored withdrawal process. It involves gradually reducing alcohol intake over time until you are completely sober. There is no set length for detoxification - it can take several days to several weeks. This process can only be done by a trained physician or a psychiatrist who has experience with deaddiction. The most common approach is to use medication to help ease the symptoms. This might include sedatives, tranquillisers, and anti-anxiety medications. Benzodiazepines may also be administered as they affect GABA receptors and increase their activity.

In some cases, psychiatrists might also prescribe supplements like thiamine or magnesium to help with the detoxification process. And in some extreme cases, patients may require hospitalisation for observation and support. 

The most important thing is to seek medical help as soon as possible if you're experiencing any of the symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal. It's not something you should try to tough out on your own. With the right treatment, you can make the process of recovery a lot easier.

Conclusion

There's a lot of science behind alcohol withdrawal, and it can be difficult to understand. However, it's important to know what to expect when you stop drinking, and how to get the help you need if things go wrong. Remember, if you want to stop drinking, help is available. Please reach out to a psychiatrist who can guide you through this process.