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All About Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms in the UK

Nicholas Conn

Article By Nicholas Conn

Table Of Contents

All About Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms in the UK
Are you struggling to control an alcohol addiction? If so, Help4Addiction are here to help you find the right rehab clinic for you.
Alcohol addiction affects more UK adults than any other type of addiction or substance abuse. Why? Because we have few limits on its sale and you can purchase it on any high street. Alcohol abuse disorder is a terrible problem to have to live with and it is difficult to break free, once you are a regular drinker.  This article will examine how you can stop drinking alcohol and what will happen to you when you do. Remember that you can call the Help4Addiction team at any time for support with rehab selection, when you do decide to quit drinking.

How to stop drinking alcohol? UK Edition

There are different ways you can quit drinking. You might decide to “go cold turkey” and stop altogether. This might work if you have a very mild or a budding alcohol addiction. If you have been a long time drinker for many years, the sudden shock to your system could damage your organs. It might be better to start reducing the amount you drink daily in preparation for a detox kit that can help. You might be eligible for a home detox kit if you are a mild drinker. If you have a heavy alcohol habit and have drank daily for a long time, rehab and medically assisted detox is the best option. When you detox in a specialist facility you do it under the care of doctors and medical staff. They can make you comfortable and administer drugs to help ease the symptoms of withdrawal. 

How long does it take to detox from alcohol?

When you decide to detox from alcohol, you can expect to feel symptoms for up to 5 days. The alcohol withdrawal symptoms UK patients feel range from mild to serious and being within a few hours of your last drink. After 6-8 hours, you will begin to feel intense cravings. These will grow for the first 24 hours but start to ease off after 72 hours. After five days, most patients report the alleviation of intense alcohol withdrawal symptoms. However, they do not end there. You should expect to feel cravings for weeks, months, and even years, after you quit. What changes is your ability to cope with them in a healthier way. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms during detox and rehab include:
  • Anxiety and nervousness
  • An upset stomach
  • Shaking, especially in the hands
  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Insomnia
  • Excess sweating
If you are a long term drinker with an excessive habit, these symptoms can be much worse. Expect potential seizures, delirium, hallucinations, and delusions. Delirium Tremens may kick in between 48-72 hours after your last drink. This terrible condition could result in death if you don’t seek treatment.  You should never detox from alcohol alone. Be sure to have a friend with you and prime them on what to expect. If you do develop Delirium Tremens, you may appear confused and disorientated. If this happens, you should see a doctor immediately. 

Where to find rehab for alcoholics?

You can get rehab for your alcohol use from multiple clinics scattered around the country. Rehab includes wellness sessions, an exercise routine, and classes and workshops, therapies, and group work, all of which helps you control your addiction. You can choose a residential rehab clinic or a dayhab clinic. You can opt to wait for NHS help or you can go private and see someone faster. The choice is yours. Rehab happens over a period of one to 4 weeks. For a heavy addiction, 3 months of rehab is not unusual. For a mild condition or a brewing addiction, a single week may be enough. A residential rehab clinic will give you a nutritious diet, an exercise routine, all the therapy you need, and other support systems to help you back to full health. We caution against rushing into your decision in rehab clinics. If you get one that doesn’t work for you, you will end up repeating your detox period after potential relapses. Instead, take your time, come through Help4Addiction, and find a rehab clinic that will work well for you the first time around. Many people need to go through more than one session of rehab to remain alcohol free, and that’s just fine. The key is to avoid relapse by choosing a supportive clinic that covers your interests. You can call Help4Addiction now on 0203 955 7700 to begin your journey back to sobriety. 

About Author

Nicholas Conn

Nicholas Conn

Nicholas Conn is a leading industry addiction expert who runs the UK’s largest addiction advisory service and is regularly featured in the national press, radio and TV. He is the founder and CEO of a drug and alcohol rehab center called Help4addiction, which was founded in 2015. He has been clean himself since 2009 and has worked in the Addiction and Rehab Industry for over a decade. Nick is dedicated to helping others recover and get treatment for drug and alcohol abuse. In 2013, he released a book ‘The Thin White’ line that is available on Amazon.

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