Table of contents:
- What is withdrawal syndrome?
- How does withdrawal syndrome occur?
- Symptoms and features of alcohol withdrawal syndrome
- What can be done to treat alcohol withdrawal syndrome?
Alcoholic drinks are one of the types of drinks whose circulation is limited in Indonesia, this is due to their addictive side effects. So what happens if someone stops consuming alcohol? There are further side effects if a person stops or reduces alcohol consumption suddenly. This is known as withdrawal syndrome, or it can also be called withdrawal. It is also a condition that can impact a person's health, from the onset of mild symptoms to the potential for death.
What is withdrawal syndrome?
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a collection of symptoms that arise in an alcoholic (alcoholic) who reduces or stops alcohol consumption. This symptom will not be experienced by someone who does not regularly consume alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms can appear within about 6 hours to 2 days after the last alcohol consumption.
Withdrawal syndrome begins with mild symptoms such as nausea and dizziness, and can get worse over time over several days. There is a symptom called delirium tremens that needs to be treated immediately because it can be fatal to the sufferer.
How does withdrawal syndrome occur?
In general, alcohol withdrawal syndrome is experienced by adults who regularly consume alcohol every day, for a long duration or years. The more frequent or more daily alcohol consumption, the greater the risk of a person experiencing it.
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome itself is a body mechanism and brain reactivity response due to a change in the balance of alcohol (ethanol) consumption from high to low. Regular alcohol consumption changes the concentration and function of protein Gamma-aminobutyric acid and Excitatory amino acids, so that a sudden change in alcohol consumption patterns will affect both proteins and cause the appearance of withdrawal symptoms.
However, not all regular alcohol drinkers who quit or cut back on alcohol consumption will experience withdrawal syndrome. This is thought to be due to genetic factors and health conditions that can worsen alcohol withdrawal symptoms in a person.
Symptoms and features of alcohol withdrawal syndrome
There are several types of withdrawal symptoms that a person can experience, including:
Mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms - caused by hyperactivity of the brain, appearing about 6 hours after consuming alcohol, characterized by:
- Insomnia
- Shivering
- Mild anxiety
- Stomach pain with anorexia
- Headache
- Sweating
- Heart palpitations (palpitations)
- Want to consume alcohol again
Withdrawal symptoms at this level may disappear and do not get worse if the person returns to alcohol consumption within 24 to 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. However, a similar disorder may recur in the next episode of mild alcohol withdrawal.
Seizures due to alcohol withdrawal - usually occurs within 12 to 48 hours of stopping alcohol consumption. This symptom only occurs in individuals who have consumed alcohol for decades. Immediate treatment with drug consumption is needed to relieve seizure symptoms in individuals.
Hallucinations - can appear within 24 hours after not consuming alcohol at all and can last up to 48 hours and can be followed by symptoms of delirium tremens. Symptoms of hallucinations generally affect the sense of sight, but can also affect hearing. Hallucinations can also occur when the patient's vital condition is still fairly normal.
Delirium tremens (DT) - is the most serious symptom of withdrawal syndrome. However, not all people with alcohol withdrawal experience it, it is estimated that only 5% of sufferers experience DT. A person who has DT will tend to hallucinate and experience disorientation which is accompanied by several physical signs such as an increase in heart rate and blood pressure and body heat. DT is considered serious because it occurs due to fluid and electrolyte hemostasis disorders in individuals with alcoholism which results in reduced blood flow to the brain and triggers heart failure.
What can be done to treat alcohol withdrawal syndrome?
Withdrawal symptoms can be stopped to get worse if a person has completely stopped consuming alcohol since the onset of mild symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms will get worse in each episode according to the length of routine alcohol consumption. Therefore, efforts that can be done are to stop the worsening of alcohol dependence and prevent the occurrence of DT in sufferers.
Someone who has experienced seizure symptoms and hallucinations due to alcohol withdrawal should seek treatment immediately. This is necessary to monitor blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate in anticipation of DT. Patients may also need sedatives to treat seizures and hallucinations.
The recovery of people with alcohol withdrawal syndrome depends on the damage and function of the body in adapting again and how well it develops to quit alcohol consumption. Most withdrawal symptoms go away completely, but there is a risk of death, especially if DT occurs.
