Alcohol addiction is a common issue that affects millions of people around the world. Overcoming alcohol use disorder can be a long and difficult process, but the first step is alcohol detox.
During an alcohol detox, you may experience a range of withdrawal symptoms, with withdrawal headaches being a common experience for many.
But why exactly do you get withdrawal headaches when you detox from alcohol? That’s what we’ll be exploring today. Read on to learn more about the alcohol withdrawal process, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and alcohol withdrawal headaches.
What is Alcohol Withdrawal?
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome refers to a series of symptoms that people face when they suddenly stop or reduce their alcohol intake.
This is your body’s response to the absence of the substance that you’ve become dependent on. When the substance you are dependent on is suddenly removed, your body and brain need time to adjust – and will react negatively at first.
Symptoms can vary from person to person – some people may experience mild symptoms, whereas others may experience more severe symptoms and acute withdrawal. Although not always the case, the general rule of thumb is that the more severe the alcohol dependence, the more severe the withdrawal process will be.
What Are Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person, depending on a range of factors such as the duration and extent of alcohol abuse, overall health, and genetics. The symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include anxiety, nausea, sweating, irritability, tremors, and, notably, withdrawal headaches.
You may begin to notice symptoms within hours to a few days after your last drink. Some common mild symptoms include anxiety, irritability, insomnia, and nausea.
As withdrawal progresses, you may begin to experience more severe symptoms, such as tremors, sweating, increased heart rate, high blood pressure/ hypertension, and hallucinations.
One of the most serious complications is delirium tremens (DT). This is rare and can occur in severe cases. DT is characterised by extreme confusion, hallucinations, fever, and seizures, requiring immediate medical attention.
Stopping your alcohol consumption suddenly or ‘cold turkey’ can be dangerous. It’s important that you seek professional support before detoxing from alcohol – this can ensure the process is safer and can increase the chances of a successful recovery.
What Are The Reasons Behind Withdrawal Headaches?
Withdrawal headaches during alcohol detox are a result of the physiological changes that occur in your brain when you suddenly stop drinking.
The more you abuse alcohol, the more your body adjusts to the intake. Alcohol abuse affects your neurotransmitter levels and affects blood flow. This can lead to an imbalance that can trigger headaches.
Alcohol withdrawal can also cause your brain to hyper-excite, which can lead to headaches. Alcohol withdrawal can trigger different types of headaches – tension headaches, cluster headaches, and even migraines.
How Long Do Withdrawal Headaches Last?
The duration of withdrawal headaches can vary from person to person, and individual responses may vary. In mild cases, your withdrawal headache may last for a few days. However, withdrawal headaches can persist for weeks or even months.
The intensity and duration of withdrawal headaches are influenced by factors such as your overall health, the extent of alcohol abuse, and the presence of any underlying health conditions.
How to Help Withdrawal Headaches
Experiencing alcohol withdrawal headaches can be debilitating, but there are things you can do to relieve the symptoms.
One of the best things you can do is keep hydrated and drink fluids that contain electrolytes. This can also help with symptoms of dehydration and nausea. Drinking liquids such as sports drinks and water can also help your body replenish sodium, magnesium and calcium. In turn, this can soothe headaches.
Additionally, proper nutrition and sufficient rest can help you during the detox process and can reduce the severity of headaches. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol may also be helpful in relieving the pain.
Detox From Alcohol Safely
Detoxification can be a challenging and isolating experience. This is why it’s so important to have a support system in place, such as friends, family and support groups. Some people find groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Dual Recovery Anonymous helpful during the recovery process.
At Help4Addiction, we can find the best course of treatment for alcohol addiction. Trust our addiction experts to find a safe detox treatment option that suits you and your circumstances.
Detoxification is just the first step of addiction treatment. It addresses physical addiction. Depending on the severity of your addiction and your addiction history, we may recommend a medically supervised detox. This can help to address any complications that may occur, such as seizures.
Rehab programmes also include counselling and a combination of therapeutic interventions to address the psychological aspects of addiction. A comprehensive rehab programme not only assists in managing withdrawal symptoms but also equips you with the tools needed for long-term recovery.
Therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and group therapy sessions can help you to understand the root causes of your addiction. Therapy can also teach you coping strategies to help you prevent relapse.
We can also help source quality aftercare to help support your recovery journey, which can include ongoing counselling, group therapy, support groups and online support.
Whether you’re looking for inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab or online rehab, we are here to help. Contact our team at Help4Addiction today to begin an alcohol rehab programme and get your life back on track.