Thinking about quitting alcohol cold turkey?
It sounds noble. Giving alcohol up cold turkey is courageous. And it is, for some. But for seasoned, long-time drinkers, going cold turkey can kick off something MUCH worse than a hangover…
Delirium tremens.
Most people have heard of “the DTs.” Hardly anyone understands how dangerous they actually are. Delirium tremens has a mortality rate of up to 37% without proper treatment.
That’s more than 1x in every 3x people.
Here’s the good news:
The DTs are almost always preventable. Understanding warning signs and getting proper help in time can mean everything.
Here’s how it all breaks down…
Table of Contents
Inside this guide:
- What Is Delirium Tremens?
- Signs You Need Detox Before You Quit
- Delirium Tremens Symptoms To Watch For
- Who Is Most At Risk?
- How To Prevent Delirium Tremens
What Is Delirium Tremens?
Delirium tremens is the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal.
Alcohol withdrawal occurs when someone who has been drinking heavily for months or years stops (or drastically reduces) their alcohol intake. Your brain has become accustomed to the presence of alcohol. Remove it suddenly and everything goes crazy.
Think of it like this:
Alcohol is a depressant to the brain. Eventually the brain compensates by stepping harder on the gas pedal. So when the depressant is removed… you still have your foot pressed down on the gas pedal.
The result? A nervous system that spins out of control.
Signs You Need Detox (Before You Quit!)
Here’s the thing most people don’t realise…
The ideal time to get help is before you quit drinking. If you identify with any of the signs you need detox symptoms below, quitting alcohol by yourself can be dangerous and puts your life at risk. Medical alcohol detox provides 24/7 support and medication to safely manage withdrawals – visit https://redribbonrecoverycolorado.com/levels-of-care/drug-and-alcohol-detox-colorado/ to learn more about what safe, supervised detox looks like.
Common signs you need detox include:
- Drinking heavily every day for weeks, months or years
- Shaking, sweating or feeling sick when you skip a drink
- Needing a drink in the morning just to feel “normal”
- Having withdrawal seizures or DTs in the past
- Trying to quit alone before and failing
Tick even one of these boxes? Don’t go it alone.
And unfortunately, most folks don’t seek help. There are 27.9 million Americans suffering from alcohol use disorder but only about 7.6% received treatment in the last year. Which means millions of people attempt to white-knuckle through withdrawals.
Delirium Tremens Symptoms: What To Look Out For.
The DTs don’t usually show up straight away.
Withdrawal symptoms are first. Trembling hands, anxiety, sweating, headaches, and nausea typically happen to most people during day one. Uncomfortable? Absolutely. However, that is not Delirium Tremens (DTs).
Delirium tremens usually begins approximately 48 hours after cessation. Symptoms can last up to 5 days.
Watch out for these symptoms:
- Severe confusion: not knowing where you are, what day it is or who is around you
- Hallucinations: seeing, hearing or feeling things that aren’t there
- Whole-body tremors: shaking that goes way beyond the hands
- Racing heart and high blood pressure: the body is working in overdrive
- Fever and heavy sweating: the body struggles to control its temperature
- Agitation: extreme restlessness, fear or panic
Complete bewilderment is the biggest warning sign of them all. Someone experiencing the DTs will frequently be unable to explain what’s happening to them… so it’s up to the people around them to recognize the symptoms.
If you notice these symptoms in someone, call 911. The DTs require immediate medical attention.
Who Is Most At Risk?
Withdrawal doesn’t necessarily cause the DTs. Only about 3% to 5% of people withdrawing experience serious symptoms like those.
But some people are far more likely to be in that small group.
The single greatest risk factor is chronic heavy alcohol use. The longer and more heavily a person drinks, the more their brain becomes accustomed to alcohol and the worse the crash will be when it’s gone.
Those who have experienced DTs or withdrawal seizures in the past are also at greatly increased risk. Recurrence can worsen with each episode.
Other risk factors include:
- Being older
- Liver disease or other health problems
- Infections or a recent injury
- Poor nutrition and dehydration
If you or someone you care about can identify with the above description please SEE YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE QUITTING.
Why The DTs Are So Dangerous
Here’s what makes delirium tremens so scary…
It doesn’t just affect the mind. It hits the whole body at once.
The heart can start beating in deadly rhythms. Breathing can stop. Body temperature can rise dangerously high. Seizures can occur. And someone who is confused and scared can harm themselves by falling or running into traffic.
But there’s a silver lining.
Death becomes very unlikely these days with hospital care and medication. Time is of the essence. The sooner they can get treatment, the better.
How To Prevent Delirium Tremens
Prevention really is that simple: don’t face withdrawal alone.
Never Quit Cold Turkey On Your Own
Abruptly quitting alcohol at home if you have been a heavy drinker for years is risky. Medical detox allows doctors to safely restore your body to equilibrium.
Get A Medical Check First
Physician assessments can be used to review your drinking history, health, and previous withdrawals to assess your level of risk. Treatment recommendations can be made based on this.
Take The Medication As Prescribed
Withdrawal from alcohol is typically medically managed with benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines sedate the nervous system during withdrawal. This helps to avoid seizures and never lets the DTs begin.
Look After Your Body
Heavy alcohol consumption typically depletes the body of vitamins (particularly thiamine), fluids and nutrients. Replenishing these during detox allows the body to heal quicker and safeguards the brain.
Keep Going After Detox
Detox is just the beginning. Treatment, therapy and support groups keep you sober long-term… and being sober means NEVER having to go through withdrawal again.
The Bottom Line On The DTs
Delirium tremens is uncommon, but no joking matter. It can take a choice to stop drinking and turn it into a crisis within days.
To quickly recap:
- The DTs are the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal
- Symptoms usually start around 48 hours after the last drink
- Heavy, long-term drinkers and people with past DTs are most at risk
- Knowing the signs you need detox can save a life
- Medical detox is the safest way to quit
Getting sober is one of the greatest choices a person can make. Just ensure it’s safe way – with sober friends at your side.
