Folic Acid and Alcohol Withdrawal
When people decide to quit drinking, they should be aware that alcohol withdrawal can be hard on the body and possibly cause physical and mental health complications. While mild withdrawal is uncomfortable, severe withdrawal can cause seizures or even death. Paying attention to your body’s needs is crucial when you decide to stop drinking, such as adding various nutrients and supplements to restore your body’s balance. Is folic acid one of them?
What Is Alcohol Withdrawal?
When those with alcohol use disorder (AUD) stop drinking suddenly, their body goes through what is known as alcohol withdrawal. AUD is a mental health disorder that is indicated by the inability to control or stop drinking even though your alcohol consumption causes relationship, financial, and health problems.
Withdrawal symptoms vary widely. They depend on how much alcohol the person consumes daily and the length of time they have been drinking heavily. The intensity of symptoms may also be affected by a person’s mental and physical health. AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe.
Some alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:
- Depression: Individuals tend to suffer from depression once they stop drinking alcohol suddenly. This is often due to an imbalance of neurotransmitters in their body.
- Excessive sweating: As the body tries to rebalance its system, it will try to get rid of the toxins contained in alcohol via sweating.
- Nausea: Some people feel nauseous after abruptly quitting alcohol.
- Irritability: Because alcohol acts as a downer, its sudden absence tends to make people irritable.
- Mood swings: As the body starts to adjust to the absence of alcohol, there may be intense mood swings.
- Insomnia: Those going through alcohol withdrawal may have trouble sleeping or staying asleep. They may also experience nightmares.
In some cases, people with moderate to severe AUD may suffer from seizures or delirium tremens (DTs). If you have the DTs, you may experience an elevated heartbeat, fever, hallucinations, tremors, and confusion. A person experiencing these symptoms needs treatment in a hospital.
Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline
Around six hours after you stop drinking, you may start to suffer from withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms include hand tremors, nausea, irritability, sweating, and anxiety.
Between 12-48 hours, the symptoms typically become more severe. You may experience symptoms such as hallucinations, a rapid heartbeat, or even seizures. Note that not everyone will suffer these extreme symptoms. Some people will continue to experience the initial symptoms.
Between 48-72 hours, you may experience heavy sweating, a fever, nausea, insomnia, and depression. In severe cases, you may have delirium tremens.
What Is Folic Acid?
Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate, which is found naturally in different foods, such as spinach, peanuts, beans, sunflower seeds, and more. Although folic acid is synthetic, folate and folic acid tend to be used interchangeably. Folic acid or folate is essential for various reasons.
Reduces Birth Defects
Pregnant women are advised to take folic acid supplements during their pregnancy. This suggestion is made to prevent congenital disabilities.
May Decrease Risk of Certain Cancers
Some studies show that a diet high in folate can reduce your risk of getting pancreatic and esophageal cancer. It may also help prevent colorectal cancer.
Reduces Homocysteine
If homocysteine levels in the body are too high, it can cause artery damage, cardiovascular disease, and blood clots. When combined with vitamin B12, folate can help regulate the body’s homocysteine levels.
Does Folic Acid Help With Alcohol Withdrawal?
Although folic acid doesn’t directly help with alcohol withdrawal, it can help address the nutritional deficiencies that alcoholics have. Because alcohol interferes with the absorption of folate, many people suffering from AUD have a folate deficiency.
Folate deficiency results in symptoms such as diarrhea, indigestion, shortness of breath, vision problems, and fatigue. Individuals suffering from AUD may have exhibited these symptoms for months, if not years. For this reason, it may be beneficial to give folic acid supplements to those going through alcohol withdrawal.
There are other factors to consider, though. Folic acid interacts with some medications, such as anticonvulsants, barbiturates, Trexall, and the antimalarial drug Daraprim. It’s important to check with healthcare professionals before adding folic acid to your list of supplements.
What Additional Nutrients Should You Take When Withdrawing From Alcohol?
Individuals with alcohol use disorder typically suffer from a myriad of nutritional and other deficiencies. Whether it’s from following poor dietary habits or because alcohol interferes with nutrient absorption, people with AUD need to increase their nutrients once they detox. Besides folic acid, here are some additional things that can help in recovery.
Electrolytes
Years of drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can cause an electrolyte imbalance. It’s essential to drink electrolyte-rich drinks, such as watermelon water and electrolyte-infused water, to restore your health.
Water
Water may not seem like an obvious choice. However, alcohol dehydrates the body. In addition, excessive sweating is one of the withdrawal symptoms. To replenish the lost fluids, it’s important for those going through alcohol withdrawal to drink plenty of water.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an important antioxidant as it boosts immunity. As alcohol reduces vitamin C levels in the body, it is important to rebuild those levels with foods rich in vitamin C during the withdrawal stage.
Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
Healthcare professionals often give thiamine supplements to clients going through alcohol withdrawal, as alcohol can deplete thiamine levels in the body. Depleted thiamine levels can eventually lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
Magnesium
Drinking alcohol in excess can also deplete magnesium levels in the body. A magnesium deficiency can result in muscle spasms, abnormal heart rhythms, nausea, and fatigue.
Zinc
Excessive alcohol use also depletes zinc levels. Zinc deficiency can lead to more infections, hair loss, and diarrhea. In addition, some people will lose their sense of taste.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Healthcare professionals also suggest adding omega-3 fatty acids to a person’s diet when detoxing from alcohol. These fatty acids can help with intense mood swings.
Are Medications and Supplements Safe to Take During Alcohol Withdrawal?
When going through alcohol withdrawal, you should only take medications and supplements under the supervision of a healthcare professional. While some medications can help manage withdrawal symptoms, others may further complicate the detox phase.
Medications are also prescribed on a case-by-case basis as some people may have a co-occurring disorder, such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and more. Healthcare professionals will review your entire medical history before prescribing medications. However, some medications can help ease withdrawal symptoms.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are depressants that doctors prescribe to relieve muscle spasms, reduce seizures, and relieve anxiety. This drug can also help clients sleep. Because of their potential for addiction, they should be prescribed to clients in detox only under close medical supervision. Some examples of benzodiazepines are Valium and Xanax.
Antipsychotics
Antipsychotics are typically used to treat psychosis, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and personality disorder. However, they can also be used if clients are suffering from extreme alcohol withdrawal symptoms, such as hallucinations.
Anticonvulsants
Anticonvulsants are also called anti-seizure medications, and they can be used to prevent seizures during alcohol withdrawal. Anticonvulsants were originally designed for people with epilepsy, but they can also help treat nerve damage.
Folic Acid and Drug Interactions
As mentioned above, if you are considering taking folic acid as a supplement during the detox phase, it’s important to check if folic acid interacts with any of the above drugs. Folic acid interacts with anti-seizure medications, for example. In addition, some anti-seizure medications interfere with how the body absorbs folic acid.
Why Medically Supervised Alcohol Detox Is Necessary
Because alcohol detox can be dangerous, it’s important that individuals detox under the supervision of healthcare professionals. Not every person who detoxes will suffer severe complications. However, it is possible. Here are some reasons why it’s important to have 24/7 supervision when detoxing.
Severe Withdrawal Symptoms
Some people with severe AUD may suffer life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, such as DTs or seizures. Others may have a co-occurring mental disorder, such as depression or bipolar disorder, and may need medication to ease their withdrawal symptoms. Even those with milder withdrawal symptoms may become severely depressed and have thoughts of self-harm.
Co-Occurring Mental Disorders
As mentioned above, some people with severe AUD may have a co-occurring disorder that will need to be treated during their detox phase. If not, there could be life-threatening complications, such as seizures or manic-depressive episodes.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
Some individuals may have pre-existing medical conditions that their withdrawal symptoms could exacerbate. These include conditions such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular issues.
24/7 Monitoring
When individuals go through a supervised detox, they are monitored 24/7 in case a medical emergency arises. Healthcare professionals regularly take their blood pressure, monitor their heart rate, and watch for any signs of needing medical intervention.
Nutritional Support
As excessive alcohol use can deplete the body of necessary nutrients, healthcare professionals can provide vitamins and supplements to restore the body’s balance.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Healthcare professionals may also prescribe some medication to help clients manage their withdrawal symptoms. Medication can help with depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
Psychological Support
The detox process can be rough on the body as well as the mind. When clients detox under medical supervision, healthcare professionals can offer psychological and emotional support.
Relapse Prevention
Individuals who undergo detox in a supervised and structured setting won’t suffer a relapse while they are under supervision. This safe environment makes it easier for them to transition into a customized treatment plan.
What Treatment Plans Are Available After Detoxing From Alcohol?
Once you complete the detox phase, your alcohol withdrawal symptoms tend to taper off. At this point, you are ready for treatment. Treatment plans for those with AUD are often highly customized as each person has different needs, different reasons for drinking alcohol, and different levels of addiction. There are several options available.
Inpatient or Outpatient Programs
Inpatient or residential treatment programs offer 24/7 supervision in a structured environment. Clients spend the day in individual and group therapy while living at a treatment facility.
Outpatient treatment programs have a similarly structured environment to inpatient programs. The major difference, however, is that clients live at home. This setup allows them to attend the program after work or school.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, offers individuals a chance to explore the reasons for their addiction. Talk therapy takes place in a one-on-one setting with a therapist and the client. There are different types of talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational enhancement therapy (MET). The goal of psychotherapy is to teach clients the necessary skills to prevent relapses.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Medications, such as Antabuse, are sometimes prescribed to reduce cravings and can help make treatment easier for individuals. Medication is typically combined with talk therapy.
Support Groups
Support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), offer a community that lets individuals share their struggles with addiction and their recovery process. Although these groups are not therapy, they allow alcoholics to be part of a group that is nonjudgmental.
Relapse Prevention
Inpatient and outpatient programs typically offer relapse prevention classes to help clients build coping skills. They also provide resources that clients can turn to when they need help.
Holistic Therapy
Holistic therapy, like yoga and meditation, is often combined with counseling and medication to help clients manage their emotions, their triggers, and daily stressors.
Dual-Diagnosis Treatment
For those suffering from co-occurring mental disorders, healthcare professionals provide a customized treatment plan that addresses both their alcohol use disorder as well as their mental health disorder.
Alcohol Awareness
If you are thinking about quitting drinking because you want a healthier lifestyle, contact our free hotline at Alcohol Awareness. We can answer many of your questions related to addiction and then forward your call to healthcare professionals specializing in substance use disorders. Our goal is to offer free resources for people who have alcohol issues and are looking for answers. When it’s time to start your recovery journey, call us at (855) 955-0771. We are available 24/7.