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Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
If you have been heavily drinking alcohol for weeks, months, or years, suddenly stopping or cutting back can trigger psychological and physical symptoms known as alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are common among people with alcohol use disorder, and about half will experience them at some point. While mild in some cases, withdrawal can become life-threatening without medical support.
What Causes Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms happen because of how the brain adapts to heavy drinking. For men, heavy drinking means five or more drinks per day or 15 or more per week. For women, it is defined as four or more drinks per day or eight or more per week. People who have had alcohol withdrawal symptoms before are at higher risk of experiencing them again.
Alcohol slows down brain activity and dampens the “fight or flight” response. Over time, the brain adjusts by working harder to stay alert, even with alcohol present. When you suddenly stop drinking, alcohol’s calming effect disappears, but your brain is still in overdrive. This sudden shift can trigger symptoms like anxiety, shaking, and rapid heartbeat as if you are in “fight or flight” mode, even when there’s no real danger.
Will I Have Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms if I Try to Quit?
It is hard to know for sure who will go through alcohol withdrawal or how intense it will be. While the NIAAA provides general definitions for heavy drinking, those are only part of the picture. Your risk depends on factors like your age, body chemistry, overall health, and whether you take certain medications or use other psychoactive substances.
Some things correlate with a higher risk of severe withdrawal, including:
- Drinking heavily every day
- Being over 65 years old
- Having a history of withdrawal seizures or delirium tremens
- Physical health conditions, especially those involving the liver or brain
- Being dehydrated or having electrolyte imbalances
These risks are why you need to safely quit alcohol, particularly if you have been drinking regularly for a long time.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can begin just a few hours after the last drink and often peak around 72 hours. Mild symptoms may include:
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Digestive symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps
- Difficulty sleeping.
In more serious cases, alcohol withdrawal can involve hallucinations and even seizures. A severe type of withdrawal called delirium tremens (DTs) can occur, particularly in people who have been drinking heavily over a long period. DTs are a medical emergency and can be fatal if not treated. A person might be experiencing DT if they exhibit:
- Confusion
- Agitation
- Reduced awareness of surroundings
- Difficulty speaking
- Slowed movements
- Dramatic personality changes, like increased aggression or apathy
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is diagnosed based on a person’s medical history and symptoms. It reflects how the brain struggles to adjust without alcohol, especially in people who have used it regularly to suppress nervous system activity. If a person has a history of complicated withdrawals involving seizures or delirium, they are at a higher risk of having another dangerous episode and should be monitored closely.
Early intervention can reduce the chances of complications and make the withdrawal process safer and more manageable.
Expected Duration of Alcohol Withdrawal
Most alcohol withdrawal symptoms improve within five days, though in some cases, symptoms like sleep difficulties, anxiety, or mood changes linger for several weeks.
Preventing Alcohol Withdrawal
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) can run in families. If a parent or sibling has AUD, your risk of developing it is three to four times higher than average. Some people with a strong family history choose to avoid alcohol altogether, which is the surest way to prevent dependence. However, anyone can develop AUD, regardless of family history.
Seek Help for Alcohol Addiction
You may need help for alcohol addiction if you find it difficult to control how much or how often you drink, even when you want to stop. If you are continuing to drink despite difficulties at work, in relationships, or with your health, it is time to seek support from Inspire Recovery.
We offer LGBTQ-affirming treatment programs that address not just alcohol addiction, but your overall well-being. Our approach is compassionate, trauma-informed, and grounded in evidence-based care. If you are ready to take the next step toward healing, our team will support you in a safe and welcoming environment. Call Inspire Recovery at 561-756-2655 to begin your recovery journey.
What are the stages of alcohol withdrawal?
Alcohol withdrawal typically occurs in three stages of increasing severity. The first stage is when people have mild symptoms like headaches, anxiety, insomnia, tremors, nausea, and vomiting. Stage 2 is the step above in severity, and people experience a rapid heart rate, elevated blood pressure, confusion, and abnormal breathing. By stage 3, symptoms become severe, and you may have hallucinations, seizures, and significant disorientation. The intensity and progression of these stages vary between people.
How risky is withdrawing from alcohol?
While alcohol withdrawal is common, it can lead to serious complications. About 5% of people experience delirium tremens, a severe and potentially life-threatening condition involving confusion, hallucinations, and seizures. Even after withdrawal symptoms pass, the risk of relapse remains high, especially without support. You are more likely to have a sustained recovery when you participate in Inspire Recovery’s alcohol rehab program and receive support from your peers. People who continue using alcohol at excessive levels, for prolonged periods, get their life expectancy shortened by 15 years or more.
How much alcohol will I have to drink to experience withdrawal symptoms when I stop?
There is no exact amount of alcohol that guarantees withdrawal symptoms will occur. Some people may experience withdrawal after drinking heavily for just a few weeks, while others may not, even after longer periods. Factors like your body’s chemistry, age, daily alcohol intake, and any co-occurring health conditions determine whether withdrawal will happen and how severe it might be. Because of this, alcohol withdrawal is unpredictable and should always be done under expert supervision.
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