Is hypertension a concern when someone with alcohol use disorder tries to quit drinking? Can alcohol withdrawal raise blood pressure?
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Understanding Alcohol Withdrawal
Alcohol is one of the most frequently abused substances in the U.S. and throughout the rest of the world, and alcohol use disorder (alcoholism) is one of the most common types of addiction.
Research suggests that about 50% of people who become addicted to alcohol will go through withdrawal if they abruptly stop drinking. As we’ll discuss a bit later in today’s post, withdrawal can involve a variety of unpleasant physical and psychological effects.
What causes withdrawal?
When a person develops an addiction to alcohol or some other drugs – such as opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine, and benzodiazepines – their body can adapt to the continued presence of this substance. Over time, this adaptation may include ceding responsibility for certain functions to the drug.
When the person’s body is then deprived of the drug, it can be thrown into a temporary state of disarray as it works to regain control of these drug-influenced functions. If this inner imbalance is severe enough, the individual will develop withdrawal symptoms.
In the case of alcohol, the substance’s impact on a brain chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) appears to be responsible for many withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol and GABA
GABA is the body’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. This means that it slows the delivery of messages through the central nervous system (CNS). Alcohol triggers increases in GABA, which is why the drug can have a calming effect on the body and mind. It’s also why alcohol intoxication can involve symptoms such as delayed physical and psychological responsiveness.
Ideally, the body should have equal levels of GABA and glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter that speeds up CNS functioning. Excessive alcohol use can cause an imbalance by artificially inflating a person’s GABA levels. Heavy drinking can also degrade the body’s ability to naturally produce GABA.
When someone who is addicted to alcohol suddenly stops drinking, their GABA levels can plummet, creating a significant imbalance with glutamate. Without GABA to offset glutamate’s effects, CNS functioning can increase precipitously, causing considerable distress.
Can Alcohol Withdrawal Raise Blood Pressure?
Can alcohol withdrawal raise blood pressure? Yes, it can – but that doesn’t mean that everyone who tries to quit drinking will be impacted in this way.
The type, severity, and duration of alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be influenced by several factors, including:
- The person’s age, gender, and overall health
- The amount and frequency of their alcohol use
- How long they’ve been addicted to alcohol
- If they have also been using or become addicted to other drugs
- If they have been through withdrawal before
Depending on these and other relevant factors, a person’s experience during alcohol withdrawal can include increases in both heart rate and blood pressure. These symptoms are usually temporary, peaking within a day or two after a person stops drinking and then slowly subsiding over the next few days.
Of course, even a temporary spike in heart rate and blood pressure can be harmful, which is one of the many reasons why entering a detox program for alcohol withdrawal may be the right choice.
Other Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
In addition to abnormal heartbeat and blood pressure, alcohol withdrawal typically involves an array of other symptoms. In most cases, these symptoms are uncomfortable but not life-threatening.
But for the estimated 3%-5% of people whose withdrawal symptoms include delirium tremens, the potential health risks can be much more serious.
Common symptoms
The more common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:
- Headache
- Heart palpitations
- Increased blood pressure
- Heavy sweating
- Elevated body temperature
- Stomach ache
- Nausea
- Shakiness
- Appetite loss
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Depression
Delirium tremens
Delirium tremens, which is also referred to as alcohol withdrawal delirium, involves symptoms such as:
- Profound confusion and disorientation
- Auditory and/or visual hallucinations
- Dangerously high body temperature
- Significant increase in heart rate and blood pressure
- Seizure
Experts have estimated that, in the absence of effective treatment, the mortality rate among people who have the DTs could exceed 30%. Today, with proper care, about 99% of people who develop the DTs survive the experience.
Unfortunately, though, a July 2023 research report in the journal Addiction found that nearly 25% of patients who developed the DTs died within three years. This report counted deaths of from all causes, underscoring the negative impact of long-term alcohol abuse and related behaviors.
Staying Safe During Alcohol Withdrawal
The safest option for getting through alcohol withdrawal is to complete the process in a detoxification (detox) program.
In a reputable detox program, you’ll be in a safe and closely supervised environment, under the care of professionals who are familiar with all aspects of alcohol withdrawal. Your treatment team can monitor your vital signs and provide medical support as needed to safeguard your health.
During detox you may also take part in therapy to help you maintain your focus and manage your symptoms.
Find Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Atlanta
North Atlanta Behavioral Health offers customized outpatient care for adults who have become addicted to alcohol and other drugs. We also serve clients who have anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other co-occurring mental health concerns.
We do not provide detox services, but we can refer to you to trusted and vetted detox providers in the area. Once you’ve completed detox, you can transition directly into our partial hospitalization program (PHP) or intensive outpatient program (IOP), where you can begin to build a foundation for successful, long-term recovery.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
