Post acute withdrawal is a symptom that can last for weeks or months following a period of heavy binge drinking. It is most commonly experienced by people who drink alcohol heavily and then stop all at once.
Although it is difficult to determine if someone has post acute withdrawal syndrome without conducting a clinical evaluation, many experts believe these symptoms are possible signs of this syndrome. In this article, we will go through the symptoms of post acute withdrawal.
Symptoms of Post Acute Withdrawal
The lack of any one or more of these symptoms cannot be used as a conclusive sign that someone is experiencing post acute withdrawal syndrome, but they can help determine if someone is at risk.
Depression
The first sign of post acute withdrawal is often depression. This depression can last long after the individual is physically off alcohol, sometimes even lasting weeks or months. There is no single reason depression occurs in these cases. It can be a combination of things, including depression that stems from the individual’s alcohol use, cognitive distortions such as low self-esteem, and in some cases, a chemical imbalance may be at fault.
Anxiety
The second most common symptom of post acute withdrawal syndrome is anxiety. The person may feel anxious when they do not drink, as well as while they are drinking, but it can also be a completely unrelated occurrence. Anxiety can be caused by other things, such as situations that the individual encounters while not drinking. These can include problems at work, stressful relationships, and the simple change in the environment that comes with not using alcohol.
Irritability
The third symptom is irritability. Irritability is sometimes a short phase that happens after a period of heavy use. It is more common in people who have had a history of heavy alcohol use, and for some individuals, this may be permanent. People experiencing post acute withdrawal syndrome may feel frustrated and irritable when they do not drink as well as while they are drinking. This can also be a consequence of other events in their lives.
Slurred Speech
The fourth symptom of post acute withdrawal is slurred speech. This symptom can occur both while the individual is not drinking and while they are drinking alcohol. It is important to note that if someone has slurred speech while drinking, they may also have the other symptoms of this syndrome.
Memory Loss
The other symptom of post acute withdrawal syndrome is memory loss. While there are several reasons for this issue, most experts believe that it is usually related to alcohol use combined with other life circumstances. Post acute withdrawals can often lead to memory loss and even a form of permanent brain damage.
Agitation
The other symptom that is commonly associated with post acute withdrawal is agitation. This symptom often occurs in people who drink frequently and experience significant alcohol withdrawal symptoms. One reason for this is that alcoholism results in a variety of neurochemical imbalances as well as physical dependence on alcohol which can result in a number of different symptoms during the detoxification process. It is common for people who have withdrawal symptoms to be agitated.
Insomnia
Complications with falling asleep are one of the more prominent symptoms of post acute withdrawal syndrome. In many cases, this can result in a person not receiving the amount or quality of sleep they require, which can increase their risk for developing chronic insomnia. This symptom may also cause people to feel fatigued and sometimes even depressed because of the lack of sleep.
Headaches
Another symptom that is often associated with post acute withdrawal syndrome is headaches. People who drink heavily and do not abstain will have a high level of depression and anxiety which can lead to depression and anxiety, which can cause the individual to experience headaches.
Fatigue
Being tired or fatigued while not drinking is another symptom of post acute withdrawal syndrome. This may be a sign of depression, overstimulation from drinking, or other mental health conditions that come along with heavy alcohol use.
Poor Concentration
One symptom that is often associated with post acute withdrawal is poor concentration. This is also a symptom of other disorders linked to alcohol use, but it can also be a side effect of heavy drinking. This symptom can make it difficult for people to complete normal day-to-day tasks that they would usually be able to do while not drinking, such as writing reports or taking tests in school. In conclusion, post acute withdrawal syndrome does exist, and it can be a serious medical issue.
The symptoms that have been listed above are not definitive signs of post acute withdrawal syndrome, but they are common symptoms during this period of time. If you or someone you love is experiencing any one or more of these symptoms, we can help, call now 302-842-2390.
