| Alcohol abuse and addiction can break a family apart. | | | | symptoms there are: impaired memory, sensitivity to |
| Fore-armed with some knowledge about what to | | | | light, sounds and tactile sensations. In some cases |
| expect during the detoxification process will help | | | | people experience paranoia and hallucinations. These |
| ensure that your family works together to beat the | | | | are the most troubling for a loved one to witness. The |
| addiction. | | | | idea of the sensitivity is bad enough. Patients often |
| Alcohol Detox Symptoms | | | | complain that their clothes are hurting them, for |
| First, if you have not already done so, you need to | | | | example. But the paranoia and the hallucinations are |
| understand the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Oddly | | | | horrifying to watch. |
| enough, the body can begin to exhibit signs of detoxing | | | | How Long Does It Last? |
| and inebriation at the same time. If the alcohol level is | | | | This is a good question. The unfortunate answer is that |
| not at its normal (high) levels, then the body begins the | | | | a full and true detox from alcohol will take at least |
| withdrawal process. Some of the signs of alcohol | | | | three weeks. There are residual symptoms that linger |
| detox are: insomnia and nightmares, restlessness and | | | | for another, usually, three weeks. So the full |
| anxiety. This means that your loved one is going to be | | | | detoxification is a six week process. The first three |
| on edge, night and day during the road to sobriety. | | | | weeks are the most dangerous. Besides the risk of |
| As the body metabolizes the remaining alcohol, more | | | | seizures and heart failure, there are unpleasant results |
| dangerous symptoms appear including, tremors, | | | | like diarrhea, vomiting and heavy sweats. These bring |
| vomiting, high blood pressure and racing heart rate. The | | | | the risk of dehydration, of course, so there are no |
| body is experiencing the shock of not having the | | | | laughing matter. On a scale, however, they seem mild |
| chemicals it is used to having. It is these (and the | | | | in comparison to say, a seizure. |
| following symptoms) that make me suggest that no | | | | Next Steps |
| one try alcohol detox at home. There are alcohol | | | | As a family, you need to move forward once the |
| detox centers everywhere and it is a safer way to | | | | alcohol detox is done. Counseling, a 12-step program, |
| get sober. The blood pressure and racing heart are | | | | family therapy, some or all of these things are in your |
| dangerous no matter your age, but particularly for | | | | future. Helping your loved one live a clean and sober |
| older people, these can be, literally, killer symptoms. | | | | life will be the gift you give to yourself and the whole |
| In addition, the brain is having its own trauma in | | | | family every day. It is worth the journey, worth the pain |
| response to the lack of alcohol. Some of the | | | | and worth the effort. |