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Withdrawal symptom is something that one has to go through while leaving alcohol addiction. The longer the duration of alcohol addiction, severe and longer will be the withdrawal symptoms. When a person is a habitual drinker for many years he becomes chemically dependent and it takes a long time for his blood to get free from the poison. The withdrawal symptom depends upon the age of the drinker and duration of the habit.
Factors affecting the withdrawal symptoms
• Age
• Health
• Genetic history
• Any illness
• Central nervous system mechanism
• Neuro-chemical factors
For minor drinkers, the withdrawal symptom may last for 7 to 8 days. It will start 6 to 8 hours after the last drink and will reach its peak point after 24 to 28 hours after the last drink. After a week or so the person may still feel some discomfort like sleep disorders, concentration problem, etc., but these are minor things and will go away provided he does not go back to the drink.
When a person had been a habitual drinker for many years, he must go through an alcohol detox-program to get rid of alcohol addiction. While going through this detoxification the blood will be purified of the poison so the alcohol withdrawal symptoms will include
• Fever
• Memory loss
• Seizures
• Agitation
• Hallucinations
• Confusion
• Intensified heart rate and blood pressure
• Night sweats
• Vomiting and nausea
This kind of symptom will last from 46 hours to 96 hours. The patient may also go through delirium tremens which is a serious type of withdrawal. It may happen within 2 to 4 days of the detox program. It includes severe conditions of agitation, tremors, increased heartbeat, blood pressure and persistent hallucination. A person going through these alcohol withdrawal symptoms must seek medical help immediately as delay may cause death. So, if anyone is a habitual drinker for many years, he/she must seek medical help while going through alcohol withdrawal symptoms and not try it alone at any cost.
An older person may take more time compared to a young person going through the withdrawal symptoms (mild or sever). Medical help is suggested in such cases.
