Alcohol Withdrawal

If you or someone that you know may be experiencing alcohol withdrawal, it is important to understand the symptoms associated with it and the diagnostic criteria that doctors use to appropriately diagnose the syndrome.

The first section involving the diagnostic criteria is directly related to whether the sufferer has had a dramatic reduction or a complete cessation of heavy alcohol use over an extended amount of time. Naturally, those that use alcohol on a short term basis will not experience alcohol withdrawal. However, those that have consumed an excessive amount for a long period of time will experience this syndrome if they make drastic changes to the amount that they consume.

Once the individual experiences a reduction in the amount consumed, they must experience at least two of the following issues within seventy two hours in order to be diagnosed with the condition identified as "Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome":

• Physiological Hyperactivity - Examples of symptoms of this response include moderate to severe sweating, and even a high pulse rate.

• Sleep Complications - The most common of all sleep issues with the individual experiencing withdrawal from alcohol is insomnia.

• Gastrointestinal Complications - These complications may include mild to severe nausea, varying degrees of vomiting, and stomach upset.

• Psychological Challenges - These challenges may include depression, anxiety, mental agitation, and even hallucinations that may be experienced visually and/or on an auditory level.
• Physical Issues - These issues may include tremors of the hands, and even seizures that are identified as "Grand Mal".

When evaluating the symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal, the medical professional that is using the diagnostic criteria to make an official diagnosis must determine if the actual distress that the individual is experiencing is considered to be clinical.

If it is not considered to be clinical, the professional must determine if it affects the occupational status, social aspects, or physiological functioning of the patient in a detrimental manner. Last, in order to make the official diagnosis, the medical professional must ensure that the sufferer is not experiencing the psychological and physiological symptoms as a result of another medical or mental disorder.

If the symptoms result in matching the diagnostic criteria of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome, the patient is then treated according to the basic guidelines for the disorder. The purpose and intent of treatment for this syndrome includes three individual goals. These include assisting the sufferer in safe withdrawal, maintaining the dignity of the patient by ensuring that they are treated in a humane manner during treatment, and assisting the patient with ongoing therapy to successfully recover from Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome.