| The biggest challenge to quitting drinking is going | | | | experienced are usually dependent on the degree of |
| through the psychological and physical alcohol | | | | dependence on alcohol, the number of years of |
| withdrawal symptoms. Almost every unsuccessful | | | | dependence, the age at the time of alcohol |
| attempt can be attributed to an inability to handle | | | | withdrawal and the general physical health of the |
| these symptoms. | | | | person. |
| What are the Withdrawal Symptoms? | | | | Treatment Options for Ending Alcohol Abuse |
| Common Psychological symptoms of alcohol | | | | Psychotherapy |
| withdrawal include: | | | | Supportive individual or group therapy can be very |
| · Nervousness or edginess | | | | useful to help the patient follow through with the life |
| · Anxiety | | | | changes necessary to stop drinking. There are many |
| · Irritability and excitability | | | | specialized centers that offer individual and group |
| · Anger | | | | psychotherapy programs. Some voluntary |
| · Hysterical outbursts | | | | organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) also |
| · Rapid mood swings | | | | offer such programs. |
| · Depression | | | | Allopathic Drugs |
| · Mental Fatigue | | | | Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed for alcohol |
| · Inability to think clearly | | | | withdrawal symptoms. However, they have to be |
| · Clouded memory | | | | tapered off over a period of 5-7 days, as symptoms |
| · Nightmares | | | | subside. |
| Common Physical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal | | | | Other drugs like Disulfiram are generally prescribed to |
| include: | | | | prevent relapses of drinking bouts. These react with |
| · Mild to severe headaches | | | | alcohol in the system to produce symptoms like |
| · Excessive sweating, especially of the palms, feet | | | | headache, nausea and difficulty in breathing, and thus |
| or face | | | | act as a deterrent to drinking. |
| · Nausea | | | | These allopathic drugs should always be taken under |
| · Vomiting | | | | the supervision of a medical doctor. |
| · Reduced appetite | | | | Natural Remedies |
| · Insomnia | | | | Natural alcoholism remedies are gaining immense |
| · Pale appearance | | | | popularity today. This is mainly because they have |
| · Palpitations | | | | the ability to produce the same effects as allopathic |
| · Enlarged or dilated pupils | | | | medicines in terms of easing the withdrawal |
| · Trembling | | | | symptoms, without the side-effects. That means |
| · Involuntary eyelid movements | | | | that natural remedies can be taken for longer |
| Severe symptoms may include deliriousness, fever, | | | | durations and in higher doses if required. This has |
| convulsions, and even death. | | | | been translating into an increasing number of people |
| The type and severity of symptoms vary from | | | | finally being able to kick the habit! |
| person to person. The pattern of symptoms | | | | |