Will persons who experience alcohol...

[cielo t]

...withdrawal symptoms have to undergo addiction treatment? I have a friend who was an alcohol addict. She stopped 2 days ago and I think she's experiencing withdrawal symptoms. She's been having a hard time sleeping, and when she does sleep, she gets bad dreams. She experiences nausea a lot and has clammy hands. I told her she should get herself treated, but she doesn't want to. Is this normal?

[had438]

They don't have to, but I would recommend it before the tremors and hallucinations start.

[blair *]

Your friend is experiencing mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms. You should contact the local hospital or a healthcare provider so he could fully assess your friend's situation. Your friend probably needs to be treated for her withdrawal. This can possibly be done on an out-patient basis. She may need social support groups, medication, and therapy. Don't think she can handle this all on her own. It would still be better to get medical help.

[Aaron O]

If your friend was a heavy drinker for an extended period of time (years) I would suggest you get her into a hospital or rehab/detox center immediately. The withdrawls from alcohol are called Delerium Tremens and include severe hallucinations, temperature fluctuations, heart palpatations and blood pressure fluctuations. They are also the only withdrawl that can be fatal and must be medically monitored. It sounds like your friend is experiencing fairly mild withdrawl symptoms, and I don' mean to scare you, but DT"s are nothing to be played around with and anyone that is giving up alcohol should be monitored closely by a doctor.