Here are some of those symptoms to look for when regular drinkers quit drinking, ranging from less to more intense.
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• Tremors and shakiness
• Eating and sleep disturbance
• Anxiety
• Sweats
• Elevated temperature
• Hallucination and agitation, ranging in severity
• Change in pulse rate, racing in severe cases
• Seizures and/or convulsions
• Delirium, disconnection from reality

​These symptoms appear anywhere from 6 to 72 hours after the last drink, and can last up to 1-5 days based on the level of  physical and emotional dependence. Medically supervised detoxification is absolutely required in severe cases, and there are many local facilities in Dallas that facilitate safe withdrawal. Contact us or check out our Commuity Resources page to find support for alcohol detoxification.  

In the book How to Change Your Drinking by Kenneth Anderson, ​he recommends three ways to prevent alcohol withdrawal.
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1. Don't drink every day. Have at least a few days of abstinence each week.
2. If you are drinking every day, don't drink more than four. Here's a link to learn how to count your drinks.
3. Don't mix alcohol with anti-anxiety medications like Xanax and Klonopin. 

Reaching out for counseling and support when alcohol becomes a problem can be a powerful step in the road to recovery. It is one of the most dangerous substances to stop using because of the profound physical effects on the body.

by Kambria Kennedy-Dominguez

It's an unseasonably cool day in August today and it seems fall may be coming! I had the wonderful opportunity this summer to take time away from work with my family, rejuvenate and recharge from what's been a very busy past year at Flourish. I am grateful to each and every client that has walked through my door keeping my practice thriving. My sincere hope is that work we've done together in the counseling room allows lives to flourish, self-understanding to deepen, and relationships to strengthen. So much beauty is created through sharing, and in that vein, I'm sharing some images that I've captured thanks to a new photography hobby, a great camera, and our beautiful earth. Some of these images were captured far away and some right here in Dallas.

Noticing beautiful objects, creatures, plants, landscapes, and people in our environment certainly impacts my health and wellness. I hope we are all able to find beauty around us, whether we are in a distant place or right outside our front door.