Alcohol Withdrawal Protocol & The Risks Of Unexpected Withdrawal

Of all substances, alcohol withdrawal is the most likely to be deadly in extreme cases without proper treatment. Even heroin withdrawal, as difficult as it is, isn’t as dangerous as withdrawal from alcohol. That’s why it’s so essential that alcohol withdrawal protocol is managed by expert physicians who are knowledgeable in the process.

What Is Surprise Circumstance Alcohol Withdrawal?

If an alcoholic suffers a serious accident and is taken to the hospital, they will be unable to drink while being treated, forcing them to undergo withdrawal. We’ve heard stories of people detoxing from alcohol while in the hospital, with the doctors treating them not familiar enough with addiction to realize what’s happening to their patients. Some doctors who are ignorant of what addiction is or how harmful withdrawal can be will not treat the withdrawal process in a misguided attempt to punish the addict and teach them a lesson about the consequences of their actions. While this isn’t sure to happen—there are thousands of great doctors who can provide effective, proper treatment—it’s worth knowing there’s a possibility.

10 Ways Surprise Alcohol Withdrawal Can Occur

1. After a night of heavy drinking, an individual may experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as tremors, sweating, and agitation the next morning.
2. Alcohol withdrawal can occur when an individual has been drinking heavily for an extended period of time and suddenly stops or significantly reduces their alcohol intake because of family members or work responsibilities.
3. Alcohol withdrawal can also occur in individuals who have developed a physical dependence on alcohol and experience withdrawal symptoms when they are unable to access alcohol due to circumstances such as being in a location where alcohol is not readily available.
4. Alcohol withdrawal can happen unexpectedly in individuals who are prescribed certain medications and are advised to avoid alcohol.
5. Alcohol withdrawal can occur in individuals who have been drinking heavily and then become ill or are hospitalized, leading to a sudden reduction in alcohol intake.
6. Alcohol withdrawal can happen when an individual is participating in a treatment program for alcohol abuse and decides to stop drinking.
7. Alcohol withdrawal can occur in individuals who are incarcerated and do not have access to alcohol.
8. Alcohol withdrawal can happen when an individual is on a religious retreat or pilgrimage and abstains from alcohol.
9. Alcohol withdrawal can occur in individuals who are pregnant and stop drinking due to the potential harm to the fetus.
10. Alcohol withdrawal can happen when an individual is traveling and is unable to access their usual sources of alcohol.

Should You Get Alcohol Withdrawal With Support From A Doctor?

When doctors manage alcohol withdrawal, the danger of lethal complications dramatically decreases. One way that withdrawal is managed is by the use of prescription benzodiazepines. These drugs are powerful tranquilizers that affect the brain in a way similar to alcohol. Since the worst alcohol withdrawal symptoms—delirium tremens, hallucinations, seizures—come from a hyperactive brain, using a tranquilizer to calm the brain down understandably mitigates the worst effects. We have patients visit us from around the country for alcohol treatment.

Can Alcohol Withdrawal Be Worse When Mixed With Benzos?

Using benzos during alcohol withdrawal carries its own risks that you need a skilled doctor to avoid. Benzos are extremely addictive themselves and have their own difficult withdrawal period. The best way to prevent addiction or withdrawal is for your doctor to prescribe a series of ever-decreasing doses over a set period of time. By weaning off of benzos, you avoid withdrawing from them, and using them only temporarily makes addiction very unlikely.

It’s important to be aware that withdrawal from continued, high amounts of alcohol should be managed by a physician. However, there are situations where one might be forced to withdraw from alcohol without that kind of preparation.

Get Help For Alcohol Withdrawal

The best way to be sure that an alcoholic’s withdrawal process is safely managed according to proper alcohol withdrawal protocol is to get them into a treatment center. The Ridge’s staff physicians can safely oversee alcohol withdrawal, both at The Ridge and at local Cincinnati hospitals. Our residential treatment program will give alcoholics the tools they need to get into recovery and maintain long-term health, happiness, and sobriety.