Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

A person suffering from mild, moderate or severe alcoholism who then attempts a detox can suffer from withdrawal symptoms which vary in severity depending on the amount they drink and how frequently.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually happen on occasions when they don’t drink, and can include:

  • Feeling sick
  • Having ‘the shakes’
  • Raised temperature
  • Sweating
  • Psychological symptoms such as feeling lonely or empty if not consuming alcohol

If you are suffering from alcohol abuse, you risk doing severe damage to your health. Physical symptoms that can occur include an increased risk of raised blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, diabetes and liver disease.

You may experience mood swings, aggression, anxiety, depression and even suicidal feelings if you are becoming highly reliant on alcohol. As a result, relationships with loved ones can suffer, as well as your ability to do your job and carry out simple daily tasks.

There are also short-term effects from alcohol abuse which you may suffer from, including reduced and slowed reaction times, tightness in the chest and breathlessness, blurry vision, disorientation and poor reflex action.

If you are considering drug and alcohol rehab or are currently undertaking an alcohol detox that is causing withdrawal symptoms as your body craves toxins, eating foods that are healthy can increase your chances of success. This is especially because those who have alcohol or drug addictions typically have a lack of appetite or a poor diet which causes the body to not get enough nutrients.

It is very important that when you are detoxing your body of a substance you are getting enough vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Potassium and Iron from your food to successfully carry out your detox in a healthy and manageable way. Boosting nutrients and vitamins in your system will help you to manage withdrawal symptoms better, and is a good way to improve uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal by eating foods that help.

Find out some of the best foods that can help the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal below.

Foods That Help Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

If you’re going to undertake an alcohol detox, a fundamental rule is to cut out sugary foods, especially those with processed sugars and meals that have a high-fat content. Although we all need particular carbohydrates that are high in fibre, it is also recommended that you cut down on carbs, such as crisps, bread and pasta.

Make sure you are managing your salt intake too (don’t add extra salt to your food), and drink plenty of water. If you find this difficult, you can always buy flavoured water, or sparkling water or add mint leaves or a wedge of lime/lemon to the water to give it more flavour.

The best foods to help your alcohol detox are from the fruit and veg family. Make sure you are eating fruits and vegetables of all colours and types, as this will ensure that your blood sugar is well-regulated.

If you find this challenging, find ways to incorporate them into your meals, for example by making a vegetable curry with low-fat coconut milk and tasty spices. Lean meat like chicken and fish should also be consumed, as should eggs, which are very high in protein.

You can also find inventive ways and research recipes online to mix the two, like making a delicious kedgeree or omelette. By eating foods that help alcohol withdrawal, you will have a more comfortable experience during your recovery journey.

 

Alcohol Withdrawal Superfoods

There are some foods that will help you during your alcohol detox due to the special properties they have and their positive effects on your body. These include:

Sunflower seeds: These can help raise your dopamine levels, which can counteract any lows of this hormone that you may have experienced as a result of excessive drinking. Sunflower and other seeds can help with alcohol withdrawal, so it is recommended to implement them into your diet.

Spinach and parsley: These green leafy foods contain an amino acid called L-glutamine, and are best eaten raw to get the full benefit. L-glutamine is known for decreasing cravings for sugar and is therefore very useful when it comes to beating a desire for alcohol and overcoming withdrawal symptoms.

Whole grain foods: These are rich in fibre, which takes longer to digest and can therefore reduce hunger cravings and a need for alcohol.

 

Emotional Support for Alcohol Withdrawal

Emotional Support for person in alcohol withdrawal

As you continue with your detox, you should also be getting the emotional support that you need, as this is a long term solution rather than a quick fix.

At Ocean Recovery, we can offer support for those following alcohol detoxes who are suffering from withdrawal symptoms. We have a compassionate approach to every kind of addiction, and offer rehab treatments in homely accommodation based in Blackpool, with beautiful vistas overlooking the sea and Blackpool beach. We want your stay with us to be about relaxation, calm and comfort and offer lots of therapies to help you on your journey and stay sober for good.

All of our staff members are deeply passionate and committed to supporting their clients at all times and exercise the utmost discretion and understanding. Our rehab programmes provide nutritious meals which are cooked by our onsite chef using foods that help with alcohol withdrawal.

Get in touch with us at Ocean Recovery today if you or a loved one needs help with alcohol issues.

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A comfortable, spacious living room in rehabilitation treatment centre, Ocean Recovery.

Facilities at Ocean Recovery

    A comfortable, spacious living room in rehabilitation treatment centre, Ocean Recovery.
    Bathroom with bath, toilet and shower in rehabilitation treatment centre, Ocean Recovery.
    Comfortable, single bed, bedroom for residents staying in a residential rehab treatment centre, Ocean Recovery.
    Bedroom in the rehabilitation residential treatment centre, Ocean Recovery, with a view of the garden and a television.
    Spacious, outside space for residents to enjoy the fresh air in a rehabilitation residential treatment centre, Ocean Recovery.
    Close-up view of state-of-the-art bathroom facilities in a rehabilitation residential treatment centre, Ocean Recovery.
    Large, open double bed, bedroom for residents to enjoy at rehabilitation residential centre, Ocean Recovery
    Open plan, double bed, bedroom with a perfect view of the outside in a rehabilitation, residential treatment centre, Ocean Recovery
    Welcoming, open plan dining room for residents to eat a nutritious meal with one another at rehabilitation residential treatment centre, Ocean Recovery
    Group therapy room for residents to take part in shared, group therapy sessions at rehabilitation residential treatment centre, Ocean Recovery
    Group therapy room, with chairs and a large scale window, for residents to take part in group therapy sessions at rehabilitation residential treatment centre, Ocean Recovery
    Large, open plan group room with a circle of chair for residents to take part in group therapy sessions with one another, at rehabilitation residential treatment centre, Ocean Recovery
A comfortable, spacious living room in rehabilitation treatment centre, Ocean Recovery.
Bathroom with bath, toilet and shower in rehabilitation treatment centre, Ocean Recovery.
Comfortable, single bed, bedroom for residents staying in a residential rehab treatment centre, Ocean Recovery.
Bedroom in the rehabilitation residential treatment centre, Ocean Recovery, with a view of the garden and a television.
Spacious, outside space for residents to enjoy the fresh air in a rehabilitation residential treatment centre, Ocean Recovery.
Close-up view of state-of-the-art bathroom facilities in a rehabilitation residential treatment centre, Ocean Recovery.
Large, open double bed, bedroom for residents to enjoy at rehabilitation residential centre, Ocean Recovery
Open plan, double bed, bedroom with a perfect view of the outside in a rehabilitation, residential treatment centre, Ocean Recovery
Welcoming, open plan dining room for residents to eat a nutritious meal with one another at rehabilitation residential treatment centre, Ocean Recovery
Group therapy room for residents to take part in shared, group therapy sessions at rehabilitation residential treatment centre, Ocean Recovery
Group therapy room, with chairs and a large scale window, for residents to take part in group therapy sessions at rehabilitation residential treatment centre, Ocean Recovery
Large, open plan group room with a circle of chair for residents to take part in group therapy sessions with one another, at rehabilitation residential treatment centre, Ocean Recovery
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John Gillen - Author - Last updated: October 17, 2023

John is one UK’s leading professionals in the addiction recovery industry. Pioneering new treatment techniques such as NAD+ and ongoing research into new therapy techniques such as systematic laser therapy, John is committed to providing the very best treatment for people throughout the UK and Europe. During his extremely busy schedule, John likes to regularly update our blog section with the latest news and trends in the industry to keep visitors to our site as well informed as possible on everything related to addiction treatment.