What Is the Kindling Effect?

Another aspect of withdrawal from alcohol that makes it particularly dangerous is what's known as the Kindling Effect.

A phenomenon first documented in the late 60s, the Kindling Effect refers to the tendency for alcohol withdrawals to become increasingly severe after each detoxification.

For example, if an alcoholic goes through withdrawal for the first time, they may experience relatively mild symptoms - maybe tremors, slight anxiety, some nausea, etc.

However, if that same person has gone through several attempts at quitting already and they try to detox, they have a significantly higher risk of developing more severe symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal like delirium tremens or deadly grand mal seizures.

Much of the Kindling Effect has to do with alcohol's effect on GABA and the excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain. Over time, the neural systems that are activated by these chemicals become more vulnerable to their influence.

And as a result, the imbalance between these two chemicals leads to even more severe effects.

In addition to the heightened risk of developing delirium tremens or seizures, the Kindling Effect may also apply to certain types of brain damage. According to the NIAAA, the Kindling Effect may play a role in reducing cognitive performance and even damaging hormonal systems over time.

More research needs to be done on the impacts of kindling when it comes to alcohol withdrawal, but there's one thing that remains quite clear today - you should always try to get sober using only evidence-based treatment methods that are proven to work.

With each and every relapse, you're only putting your safety more at risk than before.

What Is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome?

Also known as "wet brain," Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is just one of the numerous health problems that alcoholism and unsupervised detox can cause.

You may have noticed the signs of someone having Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome before:

• Confusion and loss of mental activity
• Loss of muscle coordination (ataxia) that can cause leg tremor
• Vision changes such as abnormal eye movements (back and forth movements called nystagmus), double vision, eyelid drooping
• Inability to form new memories
• Loss of memory, can be severe
• Making up stories
• Audio or visual hallucinations

This condition isn't a direct alcohol withdrawal symptom but rather is a thiamine nutritional deficiency caused by alcoholism. In fact, as many as 8 out of 10 alcoholics are deficient in thiamine.

You may be tempted to believe that a disease caused simply by a poor diet and nutritional deficiency would be a minor problem. However, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome can end up being quite debilitating.

Besides the risk of death and coma during the earlier stages, the severe memory impairment can make it almost impossible to live a normal life.

Sufferers of this disorder may find it impossible to recall conversations that happened mere minutes ago. They may lose all sense of the passage of time. They might even subconsciously make up false memories to help them make sense of their poor memory (a.k.a. confabulation).

For a great demonstration of just what this disease is really like, have a look at this documentary segment on Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome showing an interview with a sufferer of this disorder (happens at around 2:25 minutes in).

Once again, with proper medical treatment during detoxification, you may be able to avoid developing this tragic disorder.

What Is the Timeline for Alcohol Withdrawal?

One of the most common questions among recovering alcoholics is how long does alcohol withdrawal last? And the short answer is - it depends.

Just like how addiction, in general, affects everyone on a different level, your unique withdrawal process isn't going to be the same as everyone else's. Maybe you'll start feeling back to your old self within just a few days. Or perhaps it will take you weeks of treatment to get over the symptoms.

It's different for everyone.

That's because there are a number of factors involved in how long it will take until your symptoms of alcohol withdrawal begin to disappear. These factors include:

• Unique physiology
• Genetic predisposition
• Duration and severity of addiction
• Co-occurring disorders
• Overlapping addictions
• Strength of support system
• Personal environment

That being said, acute alcohol withdrawal generally lasts around 5 to 7 days total. During that time, you'll go through a range of symptoms.

If you're going through withdrawal from alcohol, you can anticipate which symptoms you'll experience by recognizing the three different stages of alcohol withdrawal.

• Stage 1 - This first stage of the withdrawal process usually begins around 6 to 8 hours after your last drink, especially in cases of severe alcoholics. Symptoms may come on quickly and may last for several days. Some of the most common symptoms you'll experience during this time include tremors, anxiety, and nausea.
• Stage 2 - Stage 2 will typically begin around 24 hours into your detoxification and may last for 24 to 48 hours. During this stage, you'll likely experience an increase in body temperature, irregular heart palpitations, and a change in blood pressure. Added to that, you may start experiencing audio and visual hallucinations as well.
• Stage 3 - The intensity of symptoms generally peaks just a few days into your withdrawal. After that point, you'll likely notice a decrease in their severity. Stage 3 is marked by this decrease in severity and can last for several days.

When it comes to the risk of seizures, the first 48 hours after your last drink (Stages 1 and 2) are the most dangerous (though they can still occur as far out as 20 days later).

Added to that, the overactivity, confusion, and altered sense perceptions of delirium tremens will generally begin 2 to 5 days into your detoxification.

What is Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome?

Generally, withdrawal from alcohol only lasts around 5 to 7 days. However, some individuals may experience especially protracted symptoms that can end up lasting for weeks, months, and even years.

This condition is what's known as Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome, better known as PAWS. For patients that suffer from PAWS, they may experience a wide range of symptoms for significantly longer than most recovering alcoholics.

According to SAMHSA, some of these symptoms may include:

• Anxiety
• Hostility
• Irritability
• Depression
• Mood instability
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Difficulties concentrating
• Reduced interest in sex
• Unexplained physical complaints

Researchers are still trying to understand this unique disorder, but with proper treatment from a professional addiction treatment center, it is possible to recover.

Is Professional Alcohol Treatment Necessary?

The short answer here is YES - it most certainly is.

And unfortunately, many people think that they can get clean from their alcoholism on their own. However, the truth is that professional alcohol detox and rehabilitation are by far the best ways to ensure your long-term sobriety.

What Medications Are Used to Treat Alcohol Dependency?

While the drugs above are effective at helping addicts overcome the uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal, they don't necessarily treat the symptoms of alcohol dependency itself.

The physical cravings, the psychological triggers, and the overwhelming urge to fall back into old bad habits can hit hard for years after detox. And that can all add up to a high risk of relapse for even the most self-disciplined.

However, there are a number of FDA-approved medications that can make it easier to withstand the lure of alcohol during recovery. And when they're combined with a comprehensive relapse prevention plan, your chances at achieving long-term sobriety will be much higher than trying to abstain on your own.

Below are the only FDA-approved drugs for treating alcohol dependency. You'll find a quick explainer about what each drug does as well as a short testimonial from a real-life user of that drug and how it helped change their life forever.

The Power of Alcoholism Medications: A Personal Story

Medications like those above can be hugely beneficial for addicts and may even end up changing their lives forever.

The video below shows how one of these drugs, naltrexone, saved the life of successful actress Claudia Christian. This event was filmed at TEDx in London and is an inspiring tale of overcoming one of the most powerful addictions.

How Much Exactly Does Detox & Rehab Cost?

Your final costs for treatment is going to depend on a number of different factors including:

• The type of program (inpatient, outpatient, etc.)
• Whether it follows a medicated or holistic philosophy
• The severity of your addiction
• The amenities you used
• The types of treatments you underwent
• The length of your stay

Beyond that, you'll also need to take into account how much your insurance provider is willing to contribute to your final treatment costs.

As such, accurately estimating your particular expenses for treatment can be tough, if not impossible, to do.

Northpoint Recovery: Your First Choice for Alcohol Withdrawal Support

Withdrawal from alcohol can be a tough phase of recovery to get through on your own. Even if you can withstand the pain of the physical symptoms and the anguish of the psychological ones, you still have to deal with the potentially deadly complications.

But with professional help from an alcoholism treatment center on your side, you can be sure that your withdrawals will be far easier to bear. And beyond that, you'll never have to worry about whether or not your safety is at risk.

However, not all treatment facilities are made equal. That's why it's so important for you to find not just any alcohol treatment center, but rather one that works for you.

At Northpoint Recovery, we take great pride in offering the best detox and rehabilitation services in the area. Our Boise, Idaho facility is clean, comfortable, and offers every amenity you'll need to make your recovery at seamless as possible.

And with a high staff-to-patient ratio and nationally accredited programs, you can rest assured you'll be in caring and qualified hands.

You don't have to suffer through alcohol withdrawals in order to attain sobriety. We can help.

So, give us a call today to get started. We'd love to be a part of your journey to recovery.