Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

"Does drinking strong coffee or taking a cold shower have an effect on the person who is drunk? The answer is yes - the result being an alert, cold, and wet drunk. Time, and only time can sober a person up."

"Fetal alcohol syndrome is a combination of physical and mental birth defects that affects about 6% of the babies born to U.S. women who are alcohol abusers or alcoholics."

"According to alcohol abuse and alcoholism research, long-term alcohol use may physically affect the brain. Studies have reported less blood flow in the front lobes of the brain, which may reflect links and problems to deeper levels in the brain."

"Alcohol abuse and alcoholism research has shown that everyone who experiences alcohol withdrawal symptoms needs professional treatment. As a result, alcohol detox and alcohol withdrawal should not be done at home and instead need to be undertaken in a medical rehab or treatment facility."

"Drug testing is a way to evaluate the type and possibly the amount of legal or illegal drugs taken by a person. Drug testing can be performed from small samples taken of your fingernails, saliva, or more commonly, your blood, urine, or hair."

"According to alcoholism research, as an individual engages in a regular habit of drinking, chemical changes in the brain take place. Alcohol consumption depletes gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the chemical responsible for inhibiting impulsiveness, and it increases the production of glutamate (which excites the nervous system) and norepenephrine (a stress-producing hormone)."

"The findings of the 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse and Addiction demonstrated that, while millions of Americans habitually drink alcohol, swallow prescription drugs, smoke pot, and snort cocaine, a number of drug users who meet or exceed the standards that indicate that they need professional treatment do not realize or accept the fact that they have a drug or an alcohol abuse problem."

"Even one beer can slow your reactions and confuse your thinking. This means anything that requires concentration and coordination, such as driving, is dangerous when you have consumed even one alcoholic drink."

"According to substance abuse research, drinking on college campuses is more pervasive and destructive than many people realize. For instance, according to a study undertaken by NIAAA, alcohol consumption is linked to at least 1,400 student deaths and 500,000 unintentional injuries annually."

"According to a 2007 Science Daily report, research shows that drinking patterns established during adolescence are likely to continue through adulthood."

"Research shows that when appropriate treatment is given, and when alcohol addicts follow their prescribed program, alcohol addiction treatment can work."

"If you drink to an excess, you may consume more alcohol than your body can metabolize and eliminate. Under these circumstances, the body and the brain may become "overloaded" and result in alcohol poisoning. If the amount of alcohol is great enough, the body and the brain will 'shut down' and the person can die as a result."

"Children who are drinking alcohol by 7th grade are more likely to suffer employment problems, abuse other drugs, and commit criminal and violent acts once they reach young adulthood, according to a RAND Health study."

"It is important to note that alcohol overdose doesn't only occur from any one heavy drinking incident, but may also occur from a constant infusion of alcohol in the blood stream."

"Alcoholism research has shown that in order to make a successful recovery, the alcohol dependent person needs new ways of thinking and responding in order to deal with circumstances and difficulties that will arise."

"Several U.S. studies have shown that about half of alcoholics who have successfully undergone detoxification will relapse within 6-12 months. Remaining alcohol-free is a very difficult task for most alcoholics."

"To make the argument for alcohol abstention and pregnancy even stronger, according to recent U.S. alcoholism studies, women who continue to drink even small amounts of alcohol while trying to become pregnant, may reduce their chances of conceiving."

"In one U.S. study, almost one-fourth of ninth graders reported binge drinking (having had five or more drinks on one occasion) in the past month."

"The research findings suggest that adolescents who drink are at high risk and should be targeted early with intervention programs that focus not only on alcohol, but also cigarette smoking, use of illicit drugs, and perhaps other problem behaviors."

"In the U.S., hallucinations affect approximately 25% of the individuals undergoing major alcohol withdrawal. Visual hallucinations are the most common type of hallucination experienced during alcohol withdrawal. For example, alcohol dependent individuals going through withdrawal will frequently 'see' insects or worms crawling on walls or over their skin."

"According to U.S. alcoholism research, when women experience symptoms of depression, they are at increased risk for subsequent alcohol dependence."

"It is estimated that more than 3 million teenagers in the U.S. between the ages of 14 to 17 are problem drinkers."

"U.S. children who are drinking alcohol by 7th grade are more likely to report academic problems, substance use, and delinquent behavior in both middle school and high school."

"According to alcohol abuse and alcoholism research, if an individual continues to drink excessively after numerous or ongoing alcohol treatment, their prognosis is very poor. Persistent, heavy drinkers will often succumb to the effects of alcohol."

"Your physician or health care professional can diagnose alcohol abuse problems by asking about your medical history and doing a physical exam. Your physician may do other tests to detect the amount of alcohol in your blood and any damage to your body caused by your abusive drinking."

"Nearly all alcoholics have a comorbid psychiatric disorder, most commonly anxiety and mood disorders in women and drug abuse and antisocial personality disorders in men."

"Families with drug and alcohol problems commonly have high levels of tension and stress. High-stress family environments are a risk factor for early and dangerous alcohol abuse and substance use, as well as for physical and mental health problems."

"It is well-documented in the alcohol abuse and alcoholism research literature that alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction can not only raise havoc in families but that family members, in an effort to 'cope' with the situation, frequently contribute to the continuation of the abusive and hazardous drinking by their 'enabling' behavior."

"If you drink to an excess, you may consume more alcohol than your body can metabolize and eliminate. Under these circumstances, the body and the brain may become "overloaded" and result in alcohol poisoning. If the amount of alcohol is great enough, the body and the brain will 'shut down' and the person can die as a result."

"Alcohol abuse and alcoholism research has shown that even though they use alcohol in an unhealthy and damaging manner, individuals who suffer from alcohol abuse do not necessarily develop a physical dependence upon alcohol."

"Your doctor can diagnose alcohol use problems by asking about your medical history and doing a physical exam. Your doctor might do other tests to detect the amount of alcohol in your blood and any damage to your body caused by alcohol."

"Research demonstrates the fact that children from families of alcoholics are at increased risk for alcohol dependence throughout their lives."

"United States alcoholism statistics demonstrate that individuals who start using alcohol before the age of 15 are four times more likely to become alcoholic at some time in their lives, compared to those who start drinking at the legal age of 21."

"According to the alcoholism research literature, alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a group of symptoms exhibited by people who suddenly stop drinking alcohol after a pattern of repeated and excessive ingestion. These symptoms can range from mild to moderate to severe and include both physical and emotional components."

"Since alcohol blocks emotional pain, it is frequently resorted to as a cover up during times of temporary or ongoing stress or grief such as that experienced with the loss of a loved one or relationship, unresolved family tensions, and chronic work stress."

"U.S. alcohol abuse researchers have discovered that children learn their attitudes about drinking from those around them, especially from their friends, their parents, and from other adults."

"Underage drinking is a significant national problem with estimates suggesting that by the 8th grade one-fourth of all U.S. students have consumed alcohol to the point of intoxication. To the extent that this is even remotely accurate, our alcohol prevention and educational programs probably need to be significantly revamped and updated so that they become more relevant to today's youth."