Can You Die from Alcohol Withdrawals?

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Addressing the Risks of At-Home and Cold Turkey Alcohol Detox

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is one of the most widespread substance use disorders. In 2021, over 10% of people ages 12+ in the United States had experienced alcohol use disorder at some point in the past year. While misusing alcohol is unfortunately very common, it is also life-threatening. Using alcohol regularly means that the body develops a dependence on it, which leads many people to be concerned about stopping suddenly.

Those with alcohol use disorder or alcohol dependence are indeed at risk of dangerous withdrawal symptoms if they stop drinking abruptly and all at once. This is part of why many people attend medical detox, where they can get support from medical staff along the way and avoid serious symptoms through monitoring and appropriate treatment.

So, can you die from alcohol withdrawals? It’s essential to know the facts. Let’s discuss the effects of alcohol addiction, symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, and risks associated with alcohol withdrawal first. Then, we’ll go over treatment options and how they can help you avoid serious consequences. 

Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be both physical and mental. Some people will experience mild symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, whereas others will experience severe withdrawal symptoms.

Regardless, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, up to half of those who engage in alcohol abuse will experience at least some form of withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking or reduce their alcohol intake.

Breaking Down the Symptoms of Withdrawal from Alcohol

When alcohol withdrawal occurs, identifying the signs early on can help you avoid a medical emergency. Since alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be fatal, medical treatment may be necessary for those going through alcohol withdrawal. Here are some of the most common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal to look out for.

• Insomnia or trouble sleeping
• High blood pressure
• Loss of appetite
• Feelings of anxiety
• Shaky hands
• Racing heart
• Depression
• Irritability
• Confusion
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Seizures

Alcohol withdrawals are usually short-term and set in within about 24 hours after your last drink. The same is true for the life-threatening effects and more minor alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Some people even face withdrawal symptoms within just several hours of their last drink.

What are the Health Risks of Alcohol Withdrawal?

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. If you drink alcohol regularly, the body learns to compensate for the reduction in nerve cell activity caused by the substance. When people first stop drinking or cut down on alcohol consumption after drinking heavily, it is a shock to the system, and central nervous system activity heightens. This is why many people experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Death, coma, and seizures are some of the most serious risks those with alcohol dependence might face when going through an alcohol withdrawal. In other words, yes – it is possible to die from alcohol withdrawal. This is why going through alcohol withdrawal in a supervised environment, such as a detox program at an addiction treatment center, can be so vital.

If you have medical supervision during with alcohol withdrawal process, it is less likely that you will die from alcohol withdrawal or experience other serious withdrawal symptoms, like withdrawal seizures.

Roughly 3-5% of people who go through alcohol withdrawal will experience what’s called delirium tremens, a severe form of alcohol withdrawal. Delirium tremens is a serious condition that may be fatal and can come with a range of symptoms such as confusion, hallucinations, tachycardia, shaking, high blood pressure, and a fever. However, with early treatment, death from delirium tremens is rare. If serious symptoms begin in treatment, staff can address them quickly.

The Role of Medically Supervised Detox and Treatment

While the adverse effects of discontinuing alcohol abuse can be challenging, they don’t last forever. Excessive drinking itself leads to many potential medical complications, which can be short or long-term. These include but aren’t limited to overdose, jaundice, liver failure, memory problems, a higher risk of many medical conditions (e.g., heart disease), coma, injuries, and death. Alcohol abuse is also associated with an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents, which contributes to many deaths in the United States per year. If alcohol is mixed with other drugs, the likelihood of some risks increases even further.

The process of alcohol detoxification should ideally be conducted with medical care staff present at a treatment center in any situation where a person has engaged in regular alcohol use. Monitoring, medications, and other forms of support can all help you through the detox process from an addictive substance like alcohol.

Catalina Behavioral Health offers a full continuum of addiction treatment, from medical alcohol detoxification to alumni support and aftercare planning.

Treatment Options for Alcohol Abuse

Here are the substance abuse treatment options we offer at Catalina Behavioral Health and how each one can help you or your loved one with an addiction to alcohol or other drugs. Even if medical detox is the starting point for your treatment journey, it is highly recommended that you pursue another level of care.

Longer treatment stays are associated with better treatment outcomes, and getting care post-alcohol withdrawal means that you will be able to thoroughly address underlying concerns, learn new coping skills, and create a relapse prevention plan.

Medical Detox

Medical detoxification or “detox” programs are designed to help people get off of drugs and alcohol safely. Our detox program offers 24/7 medical supervision and can help you avoid potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms, such as withdrawal seizures, and alleviate discomfort during the withdrawal process.

In detox, you will receive regular monitoring and may get prescribed medications to reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Many people attend medical detox before another level of care. For example, before residential treatment or partial hospitalization.

Residential

Residential treatment is the most intensive level of professional treatment for substance abuse and mental disorders. In residential treatment, you can expect to eat, sleep, and live at your treatment facility for the duration of the program.

Throughout the day, you’ll engage in a range of therapies and treatments, such as individual therapy, groups, and, if applicable, medication management. Researchers in addiction medicine have found that multiple medications are effective in reducing the risk of relapse.

Partial Hospitalization

Partial hospitalization is the next step below residential treatment in intensity. Rather than live at your treatment center, you will get to go home at the end of the day when you’re in a partial hospitalization program (PHP).

Our PHP clients attend treatment 6-8 hours each day, five days per week. Treatment activities are similar to those used in residential care.

Intensive Outpatient

Intensive outpatient requires a lower time commitment than PHP. Due to the increased flexibility they provide, intensive outpatient programs (IOP) are often ideal for those who must work, attend school, or fulfill other obligations while in treatment.

IOP can also be used for those who don’t require treatment as intensive as PHP or as a step-down form of care for those who have finished a more intensive program, like residential or PHP.

Alumni and Aftercare

One of the benefits of attending Catalina Behavioral Health is that you will have the lifelong ability to connect with your treatment team and other people who have completed our programs through our alumni programs and aftercare services.

Our alumni program helps former clients receive continued support. Aftercare can involve continued therapy, support groups, and other methods helpful for those who have experienced alcohol or drug abuse.

Choosing Catalina for Help With Problem Drinking

Choosing the right treatment center can make a major difference in your care. As a leader in addiction, mental health, and trauma treatment, Catalina Behavioral Health is an easy choice.

Here are some of the reasons clients choose us for their treatment needs, whether they need help with alcohol withdrawal symptoms or something else.

Admissions and Insurance

Our goal is to make the admissions process easy for incoming clients. We take most major health insurance plans and will verify your health insurance coverage or discuss other payment options before you enter treatment. If you do not have insurance, you can still attend treatment.

Dual Diagnosis

Many people with alcohol use disorder or another substance use disorder meet the criteria for one or more additional mental health conditions. For example, someone may live with both alcohol addiction and depression, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

When this occurs, it is called dual diagnosis. We offer dual diagnosis care for clients who need to address concerns that co-occur with addiction. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) suggests that about a fourth of individuals with a substance use disorder also live with a serious mental illness.

Evidence-Based Treatments

Our treatment center uses a range of evidence-based treatment modalities to address addiction and other concerns. These include but aren’t limited to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and trauma-focused therapies.

Other available therapies, treatments, and supportive activities at Cataline Behavioral Health include but aren’t limited to the following:

• Art therapy
• Family therapy sessions
• Equine-assisted therapy
• Twelve-step approach
• Massage therapy
• Physical exercise
• Yoga therapy
• Meditation
• Acupuncture

All of our clients get an individualized treatment plan when they enter care at Catalina Behavioral Health. Your treatment plan determines the specific activities you’ll engage in while in treatment and will be based on your personal needs and goals.

Get Help for Alcohol at Catalina Behavioral Health Today

Getting appropriate treatment for alcohol addiction and withdrawal symptoms can save your life. If you are ready to seek treatment for yourself or a loved one, contact Catalina Behavioral Health today. When you reach out, we’ll answer your questions or verify your health insurance coverage for free.

To get in touch with Catalina Behavioral Health, reach out by phone today for a confidential consultation and to get options for support now!

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