Medical Treatment for Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Medical Treatment for Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Addiction Alcohol Use Withdrawal and Relapse Print Medical Treatment for Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Updated on December 08, 2019 Visage / Stockbyte/ Getty Images More in Addiction Alcohol Use Withdrawal and Relapse Binge Drinking Children of Alcoholics Drunk Driving Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery When you stop drinking, you may experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms. You can seek medical treatment that can relieve these. Your healthcare provider will use medications to calm you as you go through withdrawal. Common Mild to Moderate Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms are the most common when you stop drinking alcohol. You may be agitated, experience trembling, have no appetite, and have trouble sleeping. With moderate withdrawal symptoms, seizures or hallucinations occur 15 to 20 percent of the time without progressing to full-blown  delirium tremens. With mild and moderate symptoms, you may be treated on an outpatient basis, while if you have delirium tremens, inpatient treatment is needed. Outpatient Treatment for Mild to Moderate Withdrawal Symptoms The therapy will be based on the symptoms you are experiencing. A four-day course of anti-anxiety medication is typical for mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms. Youll be scheduled for follow-up and rehabilitation treatment. Its important that you return to the emergency room if your withdrawal symptoms become severe. While going through these first days of withdrawal, it is best to be looked after by a friend or family member for safety. Benzodiazepines Patients are usually given one of the benzodiazepine anti-anxiety drugs, such as Valium (diazepam),  Ativan (lorazepam), Librium (chlordiazepoxide), and Serax (oxazepam). They work on nerve cells in the brain to prevent delirium tremens and the risk of seizures, which are two serious withdrawal symptoms. The  long-acting benzodiazepines with active metabolites (diazepam or chlordiazepoxide) are preferred for most patients. But if you have liver damage,  lorazepam or oxazepam  will be given because they have dont have active metabolites. Common side effects of benzodiazepines  include daytime drowsiness. They can make respiratory problems worse. They can interact with other medications and are very dangerous when they are used in combination with alcohol, which is a concern in a person who might resume drinking. Side effects may be worse in older people. They can cause birth defects, so they should not be used by pregnant women or while breastfeeding. Benzodiazepines lose effectiveness over time and patients can become dependent on them. If you take them for four weeks, you might experience withdrawal symptoms from them. Other Drugs for Mild to Moderate Withdrawal The following agents may also be given, depending on the symptoms and their severity. Beta-Blockers: Beta-blockers, such as propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin), slow the heart rate and reduce tremor. They are sometimes used in combination with benzodiazepines. Anti-Seizure Medications: Anti-seizure agents, such as carbamazepine (Tegretol) or divalproex sodium (Depakote) may be used so less benzodiazepine is needed. Specific Treatment for Severe Symptoms The following treatments are commonly used for more severe symptoms. Treating Delirium Tremens These are very dangerous and  must be treated immediately to prevent fatalities, which can reach 20 percent if untreated. Symptomatic patients are usually given intravenous anti-anxiety medications. Lidocaine (Xylocaine) may be given to people with disturbed heart rhythms. Treatment with fluids is important and restraints may be needed. Treating Seizures Seizures are usually self-limited and treated with a benzodiazepine. Intravenous phenytoin (Dilantin) may be given in addition if the person undergoing withdrawal has a history of epilepsy or seizures or if the seizures are uncontrolled. Psychosis Haldol (haloperidol) might be given if the person undergoing withdrawal is having hallucinations or they are showing violent behavior. One form of psychosis seen in people undergoing alcohol withdrawal is Korsakoffs psychosis, caused by vitamin B1 deficiency, and injections of the vitamin may be administered. Seeking Help for Alcohol Withdrawal Its wise to get medical support for your withdrawal symptoms. While it can be difficult to be open with your health care provider, it is essential to prevent more severe symptoms and to give you a better chance of succeeding in quitting alcohol. Are your withdrawal symptoms mild or severe? Take the Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Quiz.For detailed descriptions of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, see  Alcohol Withdrawal Day by Day.