Each morning Thousands of Men and Women from Coronado to Carlsbad, Suffer from the Effects of Alcohol Use

Do you wake up in the morning after a night of heavy drinking only to ask yourself if you might have an alcohol problem? 

Thousands of men and women, young and old suffer each morning with headaches, nausea, upset stomach and reach for some over the counter medication, or for some who experience tremors in their hands and mistakenly identify it as 'anxiety', will take a benzodiazephine (anti-anxiety medications) either  prescribed by their physician  or for some who need more drugs than their doctor authorizes, will  purchased the drugs over the internet. 


Recognizing Moderate and Severe Withdrawal Symptoms
Signs of Need for Medical Intervention

A majority of alcohol and drug users, who decide to stop using chemicals for periods of time, are able to do so without much trouble. Some people experience mild symptoms and others experience severe symptoms including seizures. There is a withdrawal syndrome which consists of a predictable group of signs and symptoms resulting from abrupt removal of, or a rapid decrease in the regular dosage of, a psychoactive substance.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal becomes difficult when problem drinkers attempt to quit.  Very often, alcoholics (10% of our population) will need professional help to detoxify if they have been unable to stop drinking for more than a day without physical withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal is frequently described as a hangover that ranges from mild to severe and lasts for several days. 

Withdrawal symptoms may include:

• Upset stomach (nausea)
• Headaches
• Shaking (tremors in hands and body)
• Anxiety (panic attack)
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia, nightmares)
• Increased body temperature
• Increased breathing and heart rate

A small percentage of people may experience more severe symptoms such as hallucinations, delirium tremens (DTs) or a generalized seizure. Call a physician if you or a loved one is having any of the more severe symptoms or go to a local emergency room. If you are diabetic and insulin dependent, call your physician immediately. 

If you or someone you love has experienced multiple hangovers or have gone to a hospital for detoxification, only to find yourself or your loved one, drinking all over again when you thought you could abstain, call your local alcohol and drug treatment facility for treatment. You may be dependent on alcohol. Approximately 10% of the population is chemically dependent.   If you are working, going to school or have a home structure, you may be able to recover in an Outpatient Program.

In San Diego County, call Lasting Recovery (858) 453-4315 and ask to have an alcohol assessment for yourself or inquire about an assessment for someone you care about who is willing to begin exploring options other than continuing to drink and get sick and tell yourself you won't do it again, then a few days later find yourself in the same situation, feeling worse about yourself, having others upset with you and feeling trapped by the cycle of addiction. Recovery begins with freeing yourself from your addiction, managing cravings for alcohol and learning how to maintain your recovery.

Call us - we understand the cycle and how to free yourself for a whole new beginning!! Lasting Recovery (858) 453-4315.Begin the journey to wellness!

Judy Saalinger, Ph.D., MFT, CAS
Co-Founder and Executive Director

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow."   Anonymous