Women, by percentage, enter alcohol treatment with more physical and emotional problems than men.  Gender differences in physiology can speed up the damaging effects of alcohol.  So alcohol and drug treatment centers should include gender-specific treatment, along with services for primary medical care and mental health.

Women with alcohol dependence tend to reach the decision to enter treatment sooner than men.  At first glance, one might think this means they suffer fewer problems due to the shorter time frame of alcohol abuse.  But other factors come into play in the development of physical and mental health issues for women.

In the female body, the entire process to metabolize alcohol is different.  Because of this, major organs like the liver, heart, kidneys and even the brain work harder to dispense alcohol from the body.  The human body sees alcohol as a poison and seeks to expel it as a top priority.  At the same time it expels or ignores many nutrients a woman needs.

Alcohol dependence also can place women in abusive relationships or unsafe settings where they are vulnerable to rape and other crimes.  In mere minutes, emotional damage can be caused that could distract from effective alcohol treatment.  The presence of mental health professionals, as well as addiction counselors in medical detoxification units, is important in treating these co-occurring disorders.

Under these circumstances, women may benefit from alcohol treatment that is for women only.  This removes distractions and provides for a safe environment.  The recovery process, and physical and emotional healing, can progress faster and there is a better opportunity for long-term recovery.

The excerpt below is from a report posted on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website that details the physical issues noted above.    

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Compared with male substance abusers, female substance abusers may have more physical problems, and females appear to be more vulnerable than males to the physiological effects of substance use. For example, in a study of alcohol problems among trauma center patients, women were significantly more likely than men to have liver disease (Gentilello et al., 2000). Differences in the way women absorb, distribute, eliminate, and metabolize alcohol may increase their vulnerability to alcohol-related problems (Mumenthaler, Taylor, O'Hara, & Yesavage, 1999; Wasilow-Mueller & Erickson, 2001). The female liver appears to be more sensitive to the toxic effect of chronic alcohol intake than the male liver (Colantoni et al., 2003; Mandayam, Jamal & Morgan, 2004; Mann, Smart, & Govoni, 2003). Females develop alcoholic liver disease (i.e., cirrhosis and hepatitis) after comparatively shorter periods and less intense drinking than do males. Although males have higher rates of cirrhosis mortality than women, proportionately, more alcohol-dependent females die from cirrhosis than do alcohol-dependent males (Fuchs et al., 1995; Lieber, 1993; Mann et al., 2003; NIAAA, 1999). One of the reasons for gender differences in alcoholic liver disease is that females achieve higher concentrations of alcohol in the blood than males after drinking equivalent amounts of alcohol (Bradley, Badrinath, Bush, Boyd-Wickizer, & Anawalt, 1998; Frezza et al., 1990; Redgrave, Swartz, & Romanoski, 2003). In a cohort study of over 13,000 men and women in Europe, for example, the relative risk of developing alcohol-related liver disease was significantly higher among women than men for any given level of alcohol intake (Becker et al., 1996). An additional reason for gender differences in alcoholic liver disease is that the level of alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme associated with alcohol metabolism, may be lower in females than in males (Baraona et al., 2001; Thomasson, 1995). Estrogen has also been associated with alcohol-related liver disease (Moshage, 2001; Yin et al., 2000).

-- Source: http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/WomenTX/WomenTX.htm#1.1.8 –

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides primary medical care, mental health treatment, and women-only treatment at our Long Beach location as part of our commitment to integrated behavioral healthcare in alcohol and drug treatment.  If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol dependence or drug addiction, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.

The holidays are a happy time for most.  But for those suffering from alcoholism or drug addiction this time can be challenging, stressful, and downright depressing.  Thus it is important for loved ones to be aware of how the holidays affect those who suffer, but to enjoy the celebrations and family gatherings just the same.

Parties and gatherings can be a challenge for individuals in recovery.  Alcohol seems to be everywhere in the eyes of an alcoholic, from television to the glass in the hand of those that don’t normally drink.  Fond memories can overshadow the misery alcohol brought to their lives, and open the door to relapse.

It is also a time of year when distant friends and relatives are reunited.  This can bring stress in several ways.  An old drinking or drug using friend may call for a visit.  Since the damage of alcoholism and addiction has a wide reach, someone who has been harmed in the past may show up at a gathering.  Recovering individuals may find a reason to drink or use, and those not in recovery might go on a heavy binge.    

Holiday festivities, movies, and music can conjure up memories of lost friends and better times for alcoholics and drug addicts.  It is common for them to dwell on these memories rather than just move on, causing a feeling of “if only…” and a form of self-loathing.  Using the tools of recovery when these feelings arise will often help.

Some degree of depression, from “the blahs” to major depression, is bound to set in for those who believe they are bad people due to the feeling of self-loathing.  This is a common reason for relapse, increased alcohol or drug abuse, or for some folks in recovery to simply stay away from social situations.

Loved ones may become angry with alcoholics and drug addicts, join them in their misery, or even offer them a drink, drug, or tobacco to feel better.  The healthy response is in fact to let them be and enjoy the festive holiday season.  Loved ones have no control in dealing with the sufferer’s state of mind.  It may not be easy, so attending a support group like Al-Anon can help.

There are many resources on the internet for dealing with alcoholism and drug addiction during the holidays.  The excerpt below is from a discussion transcript posted on The Washington Post website.  The full Q & A session contains a wide variety of good advice for those who suffer and their loved ones.

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Arlington, Va.: My dad is an alcoholic, sober for about about five years now. Prior to this, we had thought he was still on the wagon, but he was hiding alcohol all around the house in flavored water bottles. Both my brother (28) and I (26) live away from home, and during the holidays, when we get together, it's tough because we always wonder if he has fallen off the wagon again, and we snoop the house inconspicuously. Will there ever be a time when we trust him again? We feel guilty traipsing around the house. My mom is at home, and she wonders/snoops too. FWIW, he was sober from basically my birth until I was 14/15, and that's when he fell off the wagon unbeknownst to us until five years ago.

Dr. Harris Stratyner: Alcoholism is a disease. It's primary, progressive, chronic and, if untreated, fatal. It makes liars of those people who fall victim to the disease unless they actively work on staying sober -- treatment, 12-step programs, etc. Instead of going behind your dad's back, realize that relapse is often part of this disease and speak to your dad about your concerns.

-- Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/12/05/DI2008120502603.html --

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides family services as part of our commitment to integrated behavioral healthcare in alcohol and drug treatment.  If you or a loved one needs help for alcohol dependence or drug addiction, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.

Alcoholism and drug addiction are diseases that are typically driven by fear.  This is true whether these individuals are using their substance of choice or are in recovery.  Understanding this may help those in recovery, and help the loved ones of those still suffering to cope.

Fear paralyzes alcoholics and drug addicts.  Worry about the effect current actions will have on the future or how past actions have affected the present can cause great indecision.  Many thoughts flow through the mind at these times, and it stops individuals from even leaving point A to start toward point B.  

Without a program of recovery, alcoholics and drug addicts will reach for their substance of choice for relief.  The common reason will be to “clear their heads”, but it is really an attempt to escape from reality.  So, at its core, alcohol dependence and drug addiction drives sufferers to drink and use drugs by instilling fear in them.  It can be a deadly cycle.

This can seem foreign to those who don’t suffer from alcoholism or drug addiction because fear is often a motivator for them.  When it doesn’t motivate, fear is seen as irrational and forgotten.  This makes communication with addicted loved ones difficult because there is no natural way to relate.  Understanding the addict mind may help loved ones, but addicts need recovery to change.

Individuals learn tools in recovery to stop the fear before it starts.  12 Step programs teach individuals to “Let it go”, and take life “One day at a time”.  Sayings like these are repeated over and over because fear is deep-seated in newcomers to recovery.  When put into practice, these concepts slowly reduce fear, allowing individuals to face life instead of escape from it.

Knowing that fear drives alcohol dependence and drug addiction can help those in recovery to understand the usefulness of the 12 Steps and other programs.  It gives meaning to the words they hear and read, making a vital connection between the program and their lives.  And they must remember this every day of their lives.

Understanding the fear problem is just the beginning for loved ones of alcoholics and drug addicts.  Support groups, like Al-Anon, can help family members and close friends to start living their own lives.  Addiction is a family disease that drags everyone into a co-dependent, fear-based way of thinking, and they all need to recover.

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides family services as part of our commitment to integrated behavioral healthcare in alcohol and drug treatment.  If you or a loved one needs help with alcoholism or drug addiction, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.

As if a study was needed, San Diego State University Center for Alcohol and Drug Studies has learned that college students drink more alcoholic beverages when they are priced lower.  While not everyone will engage in alcohol abuse on a regular basis just because it is cheap, this study provides an opportunity to explain one aspect of alcoholism.

Alcoholism is marked by the tendency of one to continue with heavy alcohol consumption in the face of resulting problems.  This is a loose clinical definition that can bring more questions than answers to the non-alcoholic.  To understand, alcoholics in recovery define the disease in different ways to help them, as well as others.

One that is clear goes as follows: Social drinkers stop drinking when they begin to feel “tipsy”, but an alcoholic is just getting started drinking with that feeling.  It means that once alcoholics start drinking, the desire is to continue for as long as they can pay for it or remain conscious.

Alcoholics will fit as many drinks as they can into their budgets while social drinkers can simply enjoy one drink.  Knowing that their dollars need to be stretched well, alcoholics will by beer and drink specials.  It is a matter of forethought when planning a night, or day, of drinking.

The study can be considered supportive of this definition.  College students typically have tight budgets to work with, so alcohol consumption can only be relative to the amount of money they have.  An alcoholic with $5.00 would choose five $1.00 beers over the one $5.00 cocktail that the non-alcoholic would buy.

Planning ahead for a drinking binge is a sign of alcohol obsession, even if it is just a budget consideration.  Social drinkers can take it or leave it.  Alcoholics need to know that they will get past the “tipsy” point.

An article about this study has been posted by the Addiction Technology Transfer Center.  An excerpt is below, followed by a link to the full article.  While the study may seem to show obvious results at first glance, the data is actually very interesting.

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“It may seem intuitive that cheaper alcohol can lead to higher intoxication levels and related consequences – such as fighting, drunk driving, sexual victimization, injury, even death – especially among the vulnerable college student population,” said Ryan J. O’Mara, a graduate research fellow at the University of Florida and corresponding author for the study.  “Nonetheless, ‘drink specials’ and other alcohol discounts and promotions remain a common feature of college bars in campus communities in the United States.  This study’s results challenge assertions sometimes made by the management of these establishments that drink discounts are innocuous marketing practices intended only to attract customers to better bargains than those provided elsewhere.”

“What makes this study unique,” added John D. Clapp, professor and director of the San Diego State University Center for Alcohol and Drug Studies, “is that it was one of the first to examine this relationship at the bar-patron level using methods that carefully examined price – that is, what people actually spent – and biologically measured intoxication.”

 -- Source: http://www.attcnetwork.org/explore/priorityareas/science/tools/asmeDetails.asp?ID=630 –

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides alcohol detox as part of our commitment to integrated behavioral healthcare in alcohol and drug treatment.  If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol dependence, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.

When a loved one suffers from alcoholism or drug addiction, many believe that it is because the individual lacks willpower.  But the truth is that willpower is more of a problem than the lack thereof.  Alcoholics and drug addicts need strong willpower to feed their obsessions.

The process can be compared to the drive for success in achieving goals.  The stronger the desire to attain a goal, the more an individual will prioritize for it.  People will sacrifice and take risks to reach goals they believe will improve their lives.  Where alcoholism and drug addiction are concerned, there is no higher goal than to get the next drink, hit, or fix of their drug of choice.

For those who are unaware, most alcoholics and drug addicts enter treatment only after they “hit bottom”.  They have been willing to harm relationships, deplete bank accounts, and suffer legal consequences for alcohol or drugs.  The mounting problems did not meet the level of urgency they felt for more of the substance.

The strong willpower, coupled with the physical need to continue using alcohol or drugs, places a brick wall in the way of suggestions to enter treatment.  Family and friends are seen as a threat to the relationship they have with a substance because they want to take it away.  So the will to protect the relationship grows.  

This does not mean it is a hopeless endeavor to suggest treatment before problems pile up.  Indeed, it is not likely that demands will work.  The approach must be made in a loving manner when the individual is momentarily sober.  The best way to break the willpower of an alcoholic or drug addict is to organize an intervention.  

So the next time someone says to you that alcoholics and drug addicts lack willpower, show them this article.  Remember that alcoholics will crawl in the rain at 1:00am, and drug addicts will brave dangerous encounters in dark corners of a park, just to get what they need.  That is sheer willpower.

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles can help with interventions, and provides drug and alcohol detox as part of our commitment to integrated behavioral healthcare in alcohol and drug treatment.  If you or a loved one needs help with drug addiction or alcohol dependence, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.

Alcoholics and drug addicts take action when faced with trouble.  The only problem is in the solution they choose.  They choose to escape from trouble by drinking alcohol or using drugs.  The reason is that the disease of alcoholism and drug addiction is marked by the lack of a defense mechanism in the brain.

A basic example would be if you are walking down a hall at work, and a co-worker accidentally bumps into you.  In most cases a simple “excuse me” and “no problem” would end the innocent occurrence.  But alcoholics and addicts can only rarely just let it go without some time to dwell on why it happened.  They believe that something must have caused it.

That innocent bump in the hall can become an obsession in the mind of an alcoholic or drug addict, and turn into a belief that he is going to be fired.  This process of turning a mountain into a mole hill plagues them every day, and they believe it is normal.  This makes life appear to be an uphill battle, with everyone against them.

Alcohol and drugs temporarily ease the tension and bury the feelings of frustration.  But it all comes back as the effects wear off, and the need to defend against the mounting pain grows.  Drinking alcohol and using drugs as a defense becomes a habit through learned behavior, and is cherished as the only answer.

It is an important aspect of the disease to understand, while it may seem silly to some that believe alcoholics and drug addicts are weak.  And from a certain perspective it is a weakness.  The point is not to excuse the behavior of individuals with the disease.  It is simply to help those suffering from the disease to understand, and bring awareness to their loved ones.

The lack of a defense mechanism is one of many disease components.  Pace University has posted an article that includes it as part of a detailed look at alcoholism and drug addiction.  A portion of the article that relates to adolescent alcohol and drug abuse is below, followed by the link to the full version.

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Students give many different reasons why they may drink. Some students say they drink because of peer pressure and to be part of a crowd. Some use alcohol to avoid difficult situations that may arise at school and work and with family and friends. Others use alcohol to avoid uncomfortable feelings, like anxiety or sadness. Anyone who drinks runs the risk of developing an alcohol problem. A serious problem can develop quickly, especially among college students.

-- Source: http://www.pace.edu/page.cfm?doc_id=5117 –

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides addiction counseling during medical detoxification as part of our commitment to integrated behavioral healthcare in alcohol and drug treatment.  We also provide teen alcohol and drug treatment services.  If you or a loved one has a problem with alcohol dependence or drug addiction, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.

People have a hard time understanding why loved ones suffering from alcohol dependence or drug addiction wait so long to enter alcohol and drug treatment.  A major reason for this is denial of reality.  As bad as things look to the outsider, alcoholics and drug addicts just don’t see it.

Denial should not be compared to a blindfold.  It’s more like blinders on a racehorse.  Alcoholics and drug addicts are well aware of the problems they face in life.  But they are incapable of accepting the consequences they suffer because alcohol and drugs are an important part of their lives.  As far as they are concerned, alcohol or drugs are a solution and far from a problem.

It comes from a belief that absent their calming substance things would be much worse, not better.  When a thought that problems stem from alcohol or drugs begin to enter their minds, it is quickly dismissed as preposterous.  There is a tunnel vision that temporarily pushes these thoughts out of sight along with all of the problems that need to be solved.

Even deeper in their psyche is an incapability to deal with emotions.  Denial protects alcoholics and addicts from feelings.  When they are confronted by a loved one, they will run to the comfort of alcohol or drugs to “clear their heads”.  The escape from emotions is a comfort.  In fact, it is usually the only comfort they have.  

This cycle is never-ending because alcohol and drugs are both the solution and problem for the alcoholic and addict.  But the solution illusion always wins in their minds.  Thus, they will not seek alcohol and drug treatment until problems are insurmountable or the family calls for an intervention.

Sadly, it takes a shock to the system to drag the alcoholic and drug addict into reality.  Once denial is shattered they may feel lost, so care must be taken to avoid provoking them back to denial.  The best bet is to be firm with the shock, but have loving arms to catch them when they fall.  Then immediately contact an alcohol and drug treatment center.

Drug-addiction.com, an informative website, posted an article a few years back that offers a glimpse at the problem of denial with the disease.  The portion excerpted below shows pertinent statistics, and the full article offers some additional insight.

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According to the results of the survey, of the 5.0 million people who needed but did not receive treatment in 2001, an estimated 377,000 reported that they felt they needed treatment for their drug problem. This includes an estimated 101,000 who reported that they made an effort but were unable to get treatment and 276,000 who reported making no effort to get treatment.

"We have a large and growing denial gap when it comes to drug abuse and dependency in this country," said John Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy. "We have a responsibility--as family members, employers, physicians, educators, religious leaders, neighbors, colleagues, and friends--to reach out to help these people. We must find ways to lead them back to drug free lives. And the earlier we reach them, the greater will be our likelihood of success."

-- Source: http://www.drug-addiction.com/drugs_and_denial.htm --

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles can help with intervention as part of our commitment to integrated behavioral healthcare in alcohol and drug treatment.  If you or a loved one needs help with alcoholism or drug addiction, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.

Alcohol is created by fermenting grains, fruits, or vegetables. Fermentation is a chemical process that uses yeast or bacteria to change the sugars in the food into alcohol. Alcohol has various different forms and can be used for many different reasons.

The type of alcohol that people consume is ethanol alcohol. Ethanol alcohol is a psychoactive drug and psychotropic substance which primarily affects the central nervous system. Alcohol acts upon the central nervous system where it alters brain function thus resulting in temporary changes in behavior, mood, consciousness and perception. Aside from being a psychoactive drug, alcohol is also a sedative.

Alcohol is absorbed through a person’s stomach. After the alcohol enters the bloodstream it is distributed to all of the body’s tissues and goes directly to the spinal cord and brain. According to The Partnership for a Drug-Free America website, the effects of alcohol are dependent on a variety of factors, including a person’s size, weight, age, sex, and the amount of food and alcohol consumed.

            Short term effects of alcohol include the following:

• Impairs a person’s judgment and coordination required to drive a car or operate machinery
• Dizziness
• Talkativeness
• Slurred speech
• Problems sleeping
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hangovers (symptoms include: headache, nausea, thirst, dizziness, and fatigue)

The Greater Dallas Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse states that the long-term effects of consuming large quantities of alcohol can lead to:

• Permanent damage to vital organs
• Several different types of cancer
• Gastrointestinal irritations, such as diarrhea and ulcers
• Malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies
• Sexual dysfunctions
• High blood pressure
• Lowered resistance to disease

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides alcohol detox as part of our commitment to integrated behavioral healthcare in alcohol and drug treatment.  If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol dependence, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.

Alcohol dependence can be progressive and deadly.  Alcohol’s effects on the body can be harmful if there is a repeated compulsive use.  A person may be dependent on alcohol because the person: craves alcohol, is unable to reduce or stop alcohol consumption, and has increased tolerance and experiences withdrawal symptoms when stopping alcohol consumption.

Alcohol dependence can have harmful consequences because of patterns it may create.  For example school and job related tasks may not get done due to a hangover or still being inebriated.  Legal issues can arise due to alcohol, like getting arrested because of drunk driving, and may also cause social and family problems. 

Although I don’t have this problem, I did see alcohol dependence taking over my father.  The alcohol dependency took over his life.  He was a functional alcoholic who went to work and took care of his family, income wise.  But, he was not there in his full senses to enjoy his five children being raised by our mother.  He passed away due to an enlarged heart, caused by his ongoing alcohol dependence.  The personal experience within my family and a good education gave me the knowledge I need to help others. 

The National Institute of Health mentions that thirty years ago not much was known about alcohol dependence.  Today the National Institute of Health informs that “The neural basis of alcohol dependence was clarified. Research showing that drinking is influenced by multiple neurotransmitter systems, neuromodulators, hormones, and intracellular networks provides evidence of a number of potential target sites for which new medications may be developed.”

-- Source: http://www.nih.gov/about/researchresultsforthepublic/AlcoholDependenceAlcoholism.pdf --

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides alcohol detox as part of our commitment to integrated behavioral healthcare in alcohol and drug treatment.  If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol dependence, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.


References

www.healthauthority.com/AlcoholDependence.htm

www.mentalhealth.com/dis/p20-sb01.html

Alcohol’s effects on the body are compounded as use increases.  Social drinking is not at issue here.  Once that line is crossed into binge drinking and hangovers, the damage has begun.  Most people realize that a simple hangover is a sign of alcohol withdrawal.  But some accept it as a side effect, and continue to harm themselves.

What deserves publicity, though, is the profound effect alcohol dependence has on the human body.  In most cases medical detoxification can reverse the physical symptoms of withdrawal, opening the door to outpatient rehab or residential alcohol and drug treatment.  This article is a public service to those who are currently in need of alcohol detox, or find themselves on the road to alcohol dependence.

The following is from the Daily Strength website, and offers some good information about alcohol withdrawal.  The full article is linked below and provides details on the stages of alcohol dependence.

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Alcohol detox or withdrawal symptoms that are experienced by people who have stopped drinking alcohol abruptly (cold turkey) can range from mild to life-threatening if not properly treated.  The severity of these alcohol withdrawal symptoms is usually dependent upon how “alcohol dependent” the chronic drinker has become.  

Those who drink heavily of a daily basis of course have developed a high level of dependency on alcohol and will almost certainly experience at least some sever withdrawal symptoms, but even those who drink alcohol daily, but not heavily and those who drink alcohol heavily but not daily, can also be chemically dependent upon alcohol.

When someone who has become “alcohol dependent” stops drinking abruptly, they will experience some level of physical discomfort.  This is why it is extremely difficult for alcoholics to stop drinking “on their own” without the assistance and support of an alcohol rehab center of support group.

For some who are less chemically dependent, withdrawal symptoms might be as mild as merely getting the shakes, the sweats or night sweats – maybe nausea, headache, anxiety, a rapid heartbeat and increased blood pressure.

Although these alcohol withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable and irritating they are not necessarily dangerous.  But they are often accompanied by the craving for more alcohol, making the decision to continue abstinence much more difficult to make without counseling or support.

…

Within six to 48 hours after not drinking, hallucinations may develop for the more seriously alcohol dependent.  These are usually visual hallucinations but they can also involve sounds and smells.  They can last for a few hours or up to weeks at a time. Also within this time frame after quitting, convulsions or seizures can occur, which is the point at which alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal becomes dangerous if not medically treated.

…

Chronic alcoholism and it`s severe withdrawal symptoms may progress to delirium tremens (DT`s) after three to five days without alcohol.  The symptoms of DT`s include profound confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, hyperactivity and extreme cardiovascular disturbances.  This condition causes shifts in your breathing, your circulation and your temperature control.  It can cause your heart to race or can cause your blood pressure to increase dramatically and it can cause serious dehydration.
Once DT`s begin, there is no known medical treatment to stop them.  Grand mal seizures, heart attacks and strokes can occur during the DT`s all of these serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be fatal to an alcoholic if not properly treated.

-- Source: http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Alcoholism/forum/6363758-stages-alcohol-withdrawal-symptoms --

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides alcohol detox in alcohol treatment as part of our commitment to integrated behavioral healthcare.  If you or a loved one needs help with alcoholism, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles makes a daily effort to find treatment news articles that we can share with our readers in the alcohol and drug treatment community.  The external content was found among other articles of equal informational and educational quality.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.