The Alcohol Withdrawal on Alcoholism

This article is a part of a research study done for Stop Drinking Alcohol Blog about alcohol withdrawal syndrome on alcoholism.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms or Syndromes on Alcoholism
In contemporary society, the recreational use of alcohol has spread through all areas of society and is accepted in many cultures as an inclusive and festive custom. But with the increase of this consumption has also emerged a complex public health problem: dependence and addiction to alcohol (alcoholism), a disease with serious health consequences of the addict and to his family and social environment. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 40 and 60 per cent of deaths from injuries in Europe are related to alcohol (alcoholism).

Addiction to alcohol, although still considered wrong as a matter of lack of will or character, is a disease entity that escapes the control of the patient and requires treatment to stop drinking and compulsive consumption of this substance. The treatment of alcohol, under this view, faces major obstacles to the recovery of the patient withdrawal.

The alcohol withdrawal symptoms (abstinence syndrome) occur because once in the brain, alcohol affects chemicals called neurotransmitters that control the flow of information between brain cells called neurons, linked by synapses, and that this neuro-adaptation causes pathological alcohol, end affecting the behavior, thoughts and feelings of people.

With chronic alcohol consumption, these neurotransmitters are affected and the brain undergoes a change in its structure and functions, so that can only operate "normally" with the presence of alcohol. The person whose brain is accustomed to alcohol needs to increase more and more consumption (tolerance) for the purposes of the first times I drank, with the result that to abruptly stop drinking, brain disorders caused crop for consumption and that were hidden by the apparent "normality". These disorders, which cause withdrawal symptoms decrease or disappear only when drinking alcohol again. For this reason it is difficult for an addict to stop drinking alcohol when they know that finding relief for withdrawal due to alcohol consumption.

Symptoms of Withdrawal Syndrome in Alcoholism When Stopping Drinking
Symptoms of withdrawal are the opposite of the pharmacological effects of alcohol consumption. As noted above, alcohol inhibits the activity of central nervous system and therefore produces sedation. During withdrawal the central nervous system is experiencing the opposite effect: they increase the active processes while the processes are diminished depressants. These changes produce an overactive central nervous system pain is experienced by the patient, such as withdrawal.

This over activation, which has been observed in clinical trials in patients with mild withdrawal symptoms, is experienced sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity and an increase, which can be toxic to nerve cells, production of hormones such as cortisol and norepinephrine. It is seen, even in people who abuse alcohol only occasionally, that the hangover of the "morning after" is actually a mild form of withdrawal symptoms while the amount of alcohol in the blood decreases.

In some patients who have a lower chemical dependency, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be so "soft" and experience tremors, sweating, nausea, headaches, anxiety or increased heart rate and blood pressure. Although these alcohol withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable, are not necessarily dangerous. But are often accompanied by a strong desire or craving to consume more alcohol, so the decision to continue abstinence or to stop drinking is much more difficult.

Furthermore, and very often when there is heavy drinking, hallucinations may be experienced between six and forty-eight hours after you stop drinking. They are usually visual hallucinations but may include sounds and smells, and can last from hours to weeks. Also in this period of leave or give up alcohol consumption, seizures can occur. These symptoms can lead to delirium tremens.

The alcohol withdrawal such as delirium tremens commonly begins between 48 and 72 hours after the last intake of alcohol and is preceded by early symptoms of withdrawal, although these may be masked or delayed by other diseases or medications. Signs of sympathetic hyperactivity (tachycardia, hypertension, fever and excessive sweating) are often deep and are the leading brands of delirium tremens, along with others as profound confusion, disorientation and severe cardiovascular disorders. Once the delirium tremens begins, there may be very severe seizures, heart attacks and strokes that can be fatal. The death rate is between 1% and 5%, and increases with a late diagnosis of alcoholism, inadequate treatment and concurrent medical conditions.

For these reasons, an alcohol detox treatment without proper medical management and appropriate level of nursing care are a high risk to health and even life of people dependent on alcohol. Moreover, repeated withdrawal symptoms and without proper treatment could have future withdrawal symptoms more severe. Many researchers believe that alcoholics can not stop drinking and relapse, should receive drug therapy to control withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of possible attacks and brain damage to stop drinking without pain.

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