Chapter Three: Are you ready to act now?

Some doctors talk of two distinct phases of withdrawing from alcohol - 'early withdrawal' and 'protracted withdrawal'. Early alcohol withdrawal lasts a matter of days (at most two weeks) and is characterised by the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal discussed in Chapter One - i.e. sweating, tremor, nausea, vomiting, raised blood pressure and pulse etc.etc. Early alcohol withdrawal is potentially life threatening and requires treatment with a medicated detoxification. If detoxification is performed professionally it is a painless experience and the large majority of people will successfully complete detox and attain abstinence.

The phase of 'protracted alcohol withdrawal' commences following completion of detoxification, and may last for many months. This on-going lowgrade alcohol withdrawal syndrome is not lifethreatening and has no direct potential to cause damage to your body or brain. However, its unpleasant nature places you at high risk of relapse to alcohol, for the simple reason that drinking will relieve it immediately.

The 'symptoms' of protracted alcohol withdrawal include marked difficulty with sleeping, intense feelings of craving for alcohol, and a general feeling of restlessness and agitation. These symptoms may continue for many months in some people; however, some lucky individuals do not experience any of these effects. As you may not be one of the 'lucky ones' it is important to prepare yourself for the possibility that you will have to put up with poor sleep and an irritating feeling of restlessness for a long period of time after detoxification. In good time these feelings will diminish and then disappear - if you persevere without drinking. Don't underestimate the power of lack of sleep and frustration - together with strong craving for alcohol they act to make the first few months after detox the highest risk time for relapse

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How To Enjoy Life Without Alcohol index

The above information is copyright of Dr Bruce Trathen MBBS MRCPsych (2006). ISBN 0-9545164-0-0. The author grants permission for these guidelines to be downloaded, copied and distributed freely, but does not grant permission for their sale.