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HallucinationsFeeling confused about where you are or who you areFeeling very upset and anxiousUncontrolled shakingA fast heartbeatHigh blood pressureFeverSweating
The symptoms start 2 to 4 days after a person stops drinking and can last up to 5 days. � �
Should I see a doctor or nurse? " � See your doctor or nurse right away, even if you have mild symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. The symptoms can get more serious and possibly fatal if you are not treated. � �
Is there a test for alcohol withdrawal? " � Your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if you have it by learning about your symptoms and doing an exam. But he or she might do tests to check for other problems. These tests include: � �
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- A CT scan of your head " � A CT scan is an imaging test that can create pictures of the brain.
- A lumbar puncture (sometimes called a "spinal tap " �) " � During this procedure, your doctor puts a thin needle into your lower back and takes out a small amount of spinal fluid. Spinal fluid is the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Your doctor will send the spinal fluid to a lab for tests.
How is alcohol withdrawal treated? " � The treatment depends on your symptoms. If you have mild symptoms, your doctor might prescribe medicines to take at home. But to do this, you need to meet these conditions: � �
- Have a reliable relative or friend who can stay with you for 3 to 5 days to make sure your symptoms are not getting worse
- Be able to go in for a medical visit every day
- Not be pregnant or have any physical or mental health problems
- Not have other substance abuse problems, such as taking illegal drugs
- Have never had serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms in the past
If you do not meet these conditions or if you have serious symptoms, you will be treated in the hospital. You might get medicines through a tube in your vein, called an "IV. " � All people treated for alcohol withdrawal should also take multivitamins (as pills or through an IV). � �
Your doctor or nurse will also refer you to a program to treat people with alcohol problems. In these programs, people can: � �
- See a counselor (such as a psychologist, social worker, or psychiatrist)
- Take medicines
- Take part in a social support group like AA (Alcoholics Anonymous)
All of these treatments can help, and you can do more than one at the same time. � �
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. � �
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. � �
Topic 83392 Version 2.0 � �
Release: 22.8 - C22.208 � �
� � 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. � �
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