Common Withdrawal Symptoms of Quitting Alcohol

Common Withdrawal Symptoms of Quitting Alcohol Addiction Alcohol Use Withdrawal and Relapse Print Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Prolonged Drinking Means You May Need Treatment to Minimize Symptoms By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on October 09, 2019 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on December 12, 2019 Verywell / JR Bee More in Addiction Alcohol Use Withdrawal and Relapse Binge Drinking Children of Alcoholics Drunk Driving Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery If your nightly glass of wine or beer has turned into several, or youve noticed that your drinking has started to negatively impact your home, work, or family life, you may be wondering what to expect once you start to curtail the habit. Or maybe you have a loved one who drinks heavily and youre urging him or her to pursue sobriety and you want to know what he or she might be facing on the journey there. When you suddenly stop or cut back on your drinking after chronic or prolonged use of alcohol, you may experience physical and psychological symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.?? The severity of these symptoms can range anywhere from mild to severe depending on how long youve used alcohol and how much you normally drink. Causes Alcohol has depressing effects that slow your brain down.?? When you drink heavily, frequently, or for prolonged periods of time, your brain eventually adjusts to these depressing effects and compensates accordingly by releasing more stimulating chemicals than it does when youre not drinking. This overproduction becomes your brains new normal, so when you stop drinking, your brain is still producing these extra chemicals, potentially causing you to experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that are associated with overstimulation. Eventually, your brain readjusts, but in the meantime, you may not feel your best. Not everyone who stops drinking experiences withdrawal symptoms, but many people who have been drinking for a long period of time, drink frequently, or that drink heavily when they do drink, will experience some form of withdrawal symptoms if they stop drinking suddenly. Symptoms You may experience several mild to moderate psychological and physical symptoms when quitting drinking.?? Psychological Symptoms Feeling jumpy or nervous Shakiness Anxiety Irritability or becoming excited easily Rapid emotional changes Depression Fatigue Difficulty thinking clearly Bad dreams Physical Symptoms Headache Sweating, especially the palms of your hands or your face Clammy skin Paleness Rapid heart rate (palpitations) Nausea and vomiting Loss of appetite Insomnia Elevated blood pressure Tremor of your hands Delirium Tremens A particularly severe type of alcohol withdrawal is called delirium tremens (or DTs) and can occur anywhere from two to four days and up a week after your last drink. DTs may be more likely to happen if you are malnourished. Of those who develop the DTS, about one in 20 die as a result. Since it can be life-threatening, its important that you get emergency help for someone who has these symptoms. The symptoms of delirium tremens include: Confusion, which may be severeHallucinationsAgitationFeverSeizuresHeart arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)Dangerous changes in blood pressureExcessive sweatingTremorsRapid changes in moodSensitivity to touch, light, and/or sound These symptoms may get rapidly worse. A person with delirium tremens will need to be hospitalized for a period of time to get the symptoms under control and possibly to save his or her life. Withdrawal Duration Those who have suddenly stopped drinking and are experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually have the same two questions: Is this normal? and How long does it last? The problem with these questions is that withdrawal can be different for everyone, so there really is no normal so to speak. Typically, withdrawal symptoms begin within hours to a day or two after your last drink and are usually at their worst around 24 to 72 hours after you stop drinking,?? but certain other symptoms like changes in your sleep patterns, fatigue, and changes in your mood can last for weeks or months. Youll likely begin to feel better around five days to a week after you stop drinking. It may be helpful to learn about  alcohol withdrawal symptoms day by day. Treatment With the proper medical care, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be greatly reduced or even eliminated. There are specific treatments available for anyone who wants to stop drinking, even after long-term, chronic alcohol abuse. For those drinkers who have decided to quit drinking, for whatever reason, withdrawal symptoms can be a significant stumbling block in maintaining sobriety. One of the main causes of relapses during the early stages of recovery are the effects of withdrawal symptoms. When the withdrawal symptoms begin, many people who are trying to stop drinking give up if the symptoms become aggravating enough and decide to take a drink just to ease the discomfort. Thankfully, there are medications available called benzodiazepines like Librium (chlordiazepoxide) and Ativan (lorazepam) that can help control your withdrawal symptoms without the need to drink alcohol. As long as your symptoms are mild, you can safely stop drinking alcohol at home. Long-time or heavy drinkers should involve a doctor in this process but because its impossible to predict just how severe withdrawal symptoms will be. If you go into delirium tremens without supervision, it could prove fatal. Getting Help and Support Once youve gone through withdrawal, youll also need a plan to remain alcohol-free. Ask your doctor for advice on treatment for alcohol dependence. There are many other resources available for anyone who is sincere about stopping drinking for good, or who wants to reduce the harm alcohol may be causing in their life by cutting down. You may greatly benefit from the encouragement and support that you can find at a support group meeting like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or even an online meeting.?? These groups are known to help people get and stay sober, which is important not only for your relationships but for your health as well. You can also contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential resources and referrals for treatment and support groups. They can connect you with local services and theyre available 24/7 every day of the year. SAMHSA also has an online treatment services locator that will find treatment facilities that are near you.