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What are the DTs and when do you get them?

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What are the DTs and when do you get them
Coming off alcohol involves risks for those that don’t do it safely. Delirium Tremens, or “the DTs”, are just one of the risk factors of quitting drinking without medical advice or supervision. This article covers all you need to know about Delirium Tremens, and why you should use an online detox kit at home instead.
There is a way you can quit drinking without cold turkey measures. Going to detox or a rehab clinic could be the answer for you. Even if it is not, you may be eligible to detox safely at home. If you are a mild drinker and don’t drink often, you could safely detox at home. Call today to book your detox kit or to discuss rehab clinics near you.

What Are the DTs?

Delirium Tremens is a potentially fatal condition onset by the absence of alcohol in your system. As an alcoholic, your body changes its chemistry so that it routinely processes large amounts of alcohol. When you stop drinking, your body still tries to do this even in those first few days of cessation. Basically, even though you have quit alcohol, your body doesn’t know yet and still tries to process it. This leads to alcohol withdrawal symptoms, or alcohol withdrawal syndrome, in a big way. 

When do Delirium Tremens Start?

Delirium Tremens is technically one of the rarer alcohol withdrawal symptoms in the UK. Your brain and nervous system cause it, combined with a spite in glutamate which results in extreme symptoms like shakes and extremely high blood pressure. Symptoms for this condition can start 12-48 hours after your last drink or even 7-10 days after the last drink. If you are wondering How long does it take to detox from alcohol, then you can see our other pages.

What are the Signs of Delirium Tremens?

The most obviously dangerous symptom associated with DTs are the seizures. These can kill you. There are other symptoms as follows:
  • Irritability
  • Tremors
  • Loss of cognitive functioning
  • Seizures
  • Extreme anxiety
  • Extremely high blood pressure
  • Hallucinations
  • Delirium, a sudden confusion
  • Sleeping for days at a time
  • Sensitivity to your environment

Who gets Delirium Tremens?

Although there is no real way to tell which person will suffer this symptom when they quit drinking, we can narrow it down a little. According to WebMD, DTs are most common in patients of the following type:
  • White, younger, unmarried men
  • Those who have a history of seizures
  • People who have quit drinking in the past
  • Heavy drinkers
  • Long term drinkers
Therefore, we suggest that those who want to quit drinking seek out rehab for alcoholics instead of doing it alone.

Do you get DTs from quitting using drugs?

Luckily you only get Delirium Tremens from quitting drinking alcohol. If you quit using drugs, you will have withdrawal symptoms specific to that drug. Sometimes, quitting a drug can kill you. You should always quit drinking or using drugs safely in a rehab environment. You can learn more about the specific withdrawal symptoms for each drug on our website.

What to do if you suffer from Delirium Tremens

When learning how to stop drinking alcohol in the UK, it’s important to note that you should not quit drinking alone. You must have someone with you, even if you choose not to go through the rehab clinic. This might save your life. When DTs start, you need to go to the hospital. This is the only place that can keep you safe. They will monitor your condition and can prescribe medications that will make it easier for you. When you reach the hospital, the doctor will assess your condition. They will prescribe a sedative if it is safe to do so. This might help you calm down and reduce the tremors. They will give you fluids if you need them, check your vitals, and treat any seizures, hallucinations, and delirium. They will try to treat your mental issues only after your physical needs are met.

How long does it take to recover from DTs?

You may be in the hospital for a day or two, you may have to stay longer. This depends on what damage your body suffers because of the condition. You could need further check up appointments and you probably won’t feel right for anything up to a fortnight. On top of the symptoms of recovering from the DTs, you also have the alcohol withdrawal symptoms to deal with. Take it easy on yourself and find a rehab clinic that can help. It’s far better than taking the risk.

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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