Under the blazing sun, I shared with my companion the reason for my decision to shun alcohol while we struggled to assemble a flatpack in the sweltering heat. I confessed to him that I felt “exhausted, anxious, and sweaty.” To which he assured me that such feelings were normal. This physical and mental strain persisted for a week, during which I found myself sleeping away almost 50% of the time. I now realize that I was quite naive in not heeding my therapist’s suggestion to seek professional medical assistance for alcohol withdrawal. Fortunately, I was spared the worst of it.
“For those who require medical detoxification, an intake of a benzodiazepine such as Valium in the initial week is often recommended to replicate certain alcohol effects and minimize the risk of severe reactions,” states Dr. Niall Campbell. He is a consultant psychiatrist at the Priory Hospital in London.
One of the potential reactions of alcohol withdrawal is seizures. Prolonged heavy alcohol consumption has a relatively small anti-epileptic effect that calms the brain by stimulating the production of the brain’s natural inhibitors. Suddenly stopping alcohol intake can upset the brain’s equilibrium and lead to seizures.
“We often see this in emergency departments or orthopedic wards, where young men admitted for injuries have concealed their drinking habits. After about 24 hours in the hospital, they can unexpectedly experience seizures,” explains Dr. Campbell. “The risk of death due to these seizures is one in a thousand, stemming from heart attacks, strokes, or accidents in vulnerable situations such as near traffic.”
Another serious risk from abrupt withdrawal is delirium tremens (“the DTs”), a reaction in the central nervous system that results in uncontrollable shaking, hallucinations, delirium, fever, and high blood pressure. “There’s a high risk of heart attack or stroke,” cautions Dr. Campbell. “The DTs are a medical emergency, and immediate ambulance intervention is necessary.”
As I built a garden shed and conversed with my brother during the initial 24 hours of sobriety, little did I know that the recommended route involved consulting a medical professional and undergoing a comprehensive health assessment before attempting complete abstinence.
Your GP will conduct tests to evaluate your blood alcohol levels and liver function to determine your specific needs. “Anyone who feels they are drinking excessively should consider a thorough assessment before attempting to gradually reduce their alcohol intake over a period of around seven days,” recommends Chip Sommers, a psychotherapist and addiction counselor.
One may be tempted to believe that these precautions are solely for those diagnosed with alcoholism. But even in less severe situations, such as viewing one’s drinking as “slightly above average,” it is essential to be aware of the potential hazards of sudden abstinence.
“You might not consider yourself alcohol-dependent because you believe you function well despite high levels of alcohol,” explains Sommers. “But your body may not perceive it the same way. Abruptly stopping alcohol consumption has immediate effects on the brain, liver, and heart. Even if you see yourself as a moderate drinker, the dangers of sudden abstinence are unknown until you try it. Hence, consulting a doctor beforehand is crucial.”
“Some people have a stronger metabolism than others, and you may not know your own,” adds Dr. Campbell. “While getting a blood test might seem excessive to quit drinking a half-bottle of wine every night, the potential risks are substantial. Abruptly discontinuing alcohol without supervision is extremely dangerous.”
Lastly, he may not need those ten hidden cigarettes a day.
