“Just Stop Drinking!” Alcohol Withdrawal (DT’s)
Many of us have encountered a heavy drinker on the streets, at a family get together or we may have had a heavy drinker living in our home and may even be currently living with a heavy drinker. Because we may not have a problem with alcohol we may not fully understand the hold it has on the drinker and the drinkers inability to just stop drinking. It is not as easy as you think for a heavy drinker to just “stop drinking”. Alcohol is quite possibly the hardest drug to kick because it is so physically addictive.
Just a little alcohol can alter both the body and brain functions of a heavy drinker. Not drinking even drinking less than they have grown accustomed can alter the drinker’s mental and physical functions as well. The mental and physical changes a drinker goes through while drinking and afterwards can cause them to suffer serious and often deadly reactions.
The DT’s
If you have lived with, worked with or around a heavy drinker or alcoholic, or if you are related to someone who has a problem with alcohol you have probably heard the term “the DT’s” before. Delirium Tremens or the DT’s as they are commonly known, are the painful and serous reactions suffered by a heavy drinker during withdrawal from alcohol. Delirium Tremens usually begin approximately 24 to 72 hours after the heavy drinker has stopped drinking. But the DT’s have been known to begin in some withdrawing heavy drinkers in as little as 6 to 48 hours. Delirium Tremens are dangerous and can be fatal.
Suffering from the DT’s
Delirium Tremens can last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks depending on the level of alcohol abuse or addiction. The heavy drinker or chronic alcoholic may have visual hallucination complaining of seeing bugs animals and people that are not there. They may also have auditory hallucination and report hearing sounds and voices during alcohol withdrawal. They may even claim to smell strange odors and be bothered by different scents. Other symptoms of the DT’s include;
• Sweats
• Dizziness
• Rapid Heartbeat
• Seizures
• Dilated Pupils
• Fever
• Restlessness
• Tremors or Shakes
• Confusion and Disorientation
• Nightmares
• A sense of not being able to breathe
• Anxiety/Panic Attacks
• Delusions
Treatment
There is no known medical treatment for Delirium Tremens. When a heavy drinker or chronic alcoholic decides to stop drinking it is extremely important that they seek help and have a loved one or someone they can trust stay with them during the withdrawal process or at least routinely check on them. People withdrawing from alcohol may suffer convulsions, strokes, grand mal seizures and even heart attacks. When and if these episodes occur immediate medical assistance will be needed and they will not be able to help themselves at this time. Do not leave a person withdrawing from alcohol alone for any length of time. Call a doctor, clinic or local emergency room for help if needed. Consider the DT’s a “medical emergency” and act accordingly.
Good News
Although there is no known treatment for the DT’s, with the proper medical supervision the issues and incidents can be addressed. With the right diet and doctor prescribed and administered doses of Thiamin and vitamin supplements, people who are less addicted to alcohol can have fewer episodes and less of the discomforts that are associated with alcohol withdrawal and rehabilitation. However, chronic alcoholics and those that have a more serious addiction to alcohol will need medication for the physical and the emotional problems they will suffer due to the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
Get Help
If you or someone you know wants to stop “GET HELP!” Get to a doctor, a clinic or an emergency room immediately if able. A doctor will administer a number of physical psychological tests on you. It is very important that you “Be Honest” about your alcohol use no matter how bad or embarrassing you think it may sound. This information will save your life. A doctor or healthcare provider cannot help you if you are not honest.
Help Yourself
The best way to help yourself from suffering the DT’s is “DO NOT ABUSE ALCOHOL”. It’s that simple. If you have been a heavy alcohol drinker for a long time, you should not suddenly decrease the amount or stop drinking on your own. GET HELP! Talk to a doctor and find the safest way to stop.
If you are a chronic alcohol user and you have to be admitted to the hospital for another problem, TELL THE DOCTOR ABOUT YOUR ALCOHOL USE! The hospital can then be ready to treat you for the DT’s. If you fail to tell them about your alcohol problem and they are not prepared to treat you for the inevitable Delirium Tremens you can be in serious danger and could even die. While in the hospital make sure the caregivers know how you are feeling at all times, if you hearing things or seeing things let them know, eat healthy foods, drinks plenty of healthy fluids (no alcohol), get plenty of rest, and follow your treatment plan for all medical issues you may have.
Counseling & Education
With the proper counseling and therapy one learns how to recognize the dangers of alcohol, as well as learn coping skills that will assist in dealing with the everyday stressors that may trigger ones drinking habits.
Did you know that the odds are against those who attempt to quit drinking alone? It’s true. According to doctors at the University of Southern California, one third of those that quit alone remain abstinent. One third of those that stop drinking on their own end up drinking again but at a lower level and the other one third completely relapse all together. (http://www.doctorsofusc.com/condition/document/12069)
“Some of the most difficult cases I’ve worked with over the years as a drug rehab professional were alcoholics.” Mary Rieser, Executive Director of Narconon of Georgia. She believes that “the devastation that drinking can visit upon the body and mind of an alcoholic is unimaginable.” Get Help.
