Shortness of Breath During Alcohol Withdrawal
While alcohol is legal to drink in every state for anyone who’s at least 21 years old, your body can become dependent on the substance if you drink too much. Because drinking alcohol is socially acceptable, it’s not always easy to notice that you’re drinking more than you should. The clearest sign that someone’s drinking too much alcohol is when their body reacts negatively if they stop drinking for an extended period. In this situation, alcohol withdrawal might occur, which brings about a whole host of symptoms that you could experience. One such symptom is shortness of breath.Shortness of breath can be part of alcohol withdrawal, and withdrawal is safest under medical care. Our alcohol detox program manages symptoms with 24/7 monitoring and withdrawal medication. Call admissions now. We verify your insurance on the call and tell you what is covered, what is open this week and which program you qualify for.
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a common medical condition that makes it more difficult for the affected individual to stop drinking alcohol. Even if the substance is causing adverse health or social and occupational issues, the person may still be unable to stop drinking. AUD can be anywhere from mild to severe. Because of the changes that occur in a person’s brain when they develop AUD, they are prone to relapsing. Even though this condition can be severe, there is treatment available to help clients manage their symptoms. These treatments extend to behavioral therapies and medications. Keep in mind that more than 28 million adults, who are at least 28 years old suffered from AUD in 2021, which means that you’re not alone in this. If you currently drink but don’t believe that you’ve developed AUD, numerous factors increase the risk for this disorder. For example, if you consume a large amount of alcohol or binge drink, you’re more likely to develop AUD. However, the other risk factors aren’t as evident. If you start drinking before you’re 15 years old, you’re at least three times more likely to have AUD in comparison to those who consume alcohol at the legal drinking age. The risk of developing AUD is higher for women in comparison to men. Genetics can also play a part in increasing your risk. When children are in an environment where their parents drink regularly, they are more likely to develop this condition once they start drinking. The risk of AUD is higher for those with a history of trauma or mental health conditions. Everything from post-traumatic stress disorder to depression increases a person’s risk of AUD.Symptoms Associated With Alcohol Use Disorders
The symptoms of AUD are easier to notice among people who have severe cases of the disorder. Otherwise, you may find it challenging to discern between social drinking and consumption based on dependence. The severity of AUD is determined based on how many criteria a client meets. For example, if someone experiences two to three symptoms of AUD, they might have a mild case of the disorder. When four to five symptoms are present, the condition is considered moderately severe. With six or more of these criteria, your AUD is likely severe. You might be asked the following questions from your doctor to identify how many symptoms you’re experiencing. Have you:- Wanted to drink so much that you couldn’t think of something else?
- Ever drunk more or for longer than usual?
- Spent a considerable amount of your time drinking or experiencing a hangover?
- Tried to stop drinking but was unable?
- Discovered that drinking makes it more difficult for you to take care of your family or meet work responsibilities?
- Been put in situations where you almost got hurt while using heavy machinery or driving because of your drinking?
- Had to drink more than usual to experience the same effects as you typically do?
- Had withdrawal symptoms when you stopped drinking for several days?
What Is Alcohol Withdrawal?
If you develop AUD, there’s a good chance that you’ll go through withdrawal symptoms if you stop drinking. Even if you’ve been drinking for only a few weeks, you could go through these symptoms if your body has become dependent on the substance to function properly. Your symptoms can vary based on how severe the AUD is. Severe AUD may come with serious withdrawal symptoms. If you drink only the occasional glass of wine or a can of beer, it’s unlikely that you’ll encounter withdrawal symptoms. However, experiencing withdrawal once means that the risk of going through it in the future is higher. Keep in mind that the initial withdrawal symptoms may be felt within six hours of your last drink. Symptoms are at their most severe within 48-72 hours after you stop drinking.Experiencing Shortness of Breath During Alcohol Withdrawal
Drinking too much alcohol may lead to a wide range of symptoms, which include shortness of breath. However, withdrawal symptoms aren’t as straightforward. They often cause rapid breathing instead of shortness of breath. The reason that you might encounter shortness of breath when you consume too much alcohol is that this can lead to your body becoming dehydrated. Alcohol contains diuretic characteristics that often result in higher urine production and considerable fluid loss. If you experience AUD, it might be more challenging for your body to manage fluid balance. Dehydration doesn’t commonly cause shortness of breath on its own. If, however, the condition is severe, it might lead to heavy fluid volume loss in your body, which can cause hypotension. The hypotensive condition you develop is likely to cause shortness of breath. The same can happen if dehydration thickens the mucus lining in your airways. These symptoms tend to occur shortly after you stop drinking, which means that they can coincide with your other withdrawal symptoms.Additional Symptoms You Might Encounter
Some of the additional symptoms you can develop during alcohol withdrawal include:- Fever
- Irregular heart rate
- Hand tremors
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Headaches
- Visual or tactile disturbances
