Author: Alex Thompson

Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

It can be very comforting to know that many people have gone through withdrawal before. We recommend reaching out to others who are also going through withdrawal or joining group therapy. Professional detox is highly recommended for those likely to experience moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms and will support you during detox. If you have alcohol use disorder and want help, a healthcare provider can guide you to resources and rehabilitation programs to help you quit. Know that your provider will be there to support you, not to judge you. AWS is more common in adults, but children and teenagers who drink excessively may also experience the symptoms.

How is alcohol withdrawal syndrome diagnosed?

Consuming more than that can lead to liver damage and heart disease, and increase your risk for some cancers. These treatments can help ensure that you are able to detox safely and minimize the withdrawal symptoms that you will experience. Learning what helps with alcohol withdrawal can be a process. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal tend to peak 24 to 72 hours after your last drink. Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 (or your local emergency service number) if you or a loved one has any concerning symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

You may also consider joining an online support group to help you feel less alone. Feeling at your best physically can boost resilience and emotional strength, equipping you to weather challenges that trigger the desire to drink. Letting others know about your choice to stop drinking may help motivate you to stick with your decision. From month-long sobriety challenges to the Sober Curious movement, more and more people are taking a closer look at the role alcohol plays in their lives. During an exam, they’ll look for other medical conditions to see if they could be to blame.

Stopping drinking abruptly can lead to seizures and can even be fatal. This article discusses alcohol withdrawal, its symptoms, and potential complications. It also provides an overview of the alcohol withdrawal timeline process and when to discuss your drinking with your healthcare provider. If your alcohol use has been heavy and chronic, talk to a doctor about medically supervised detox.

Support Groups

  1. If you have decided that it is in your best interest to stop drinking, one option is to seek help from a family doctor or primary healthcare provider.
  2. You may have tried to quit drinking alcohol and discovered that the symptoms you experienced were more severe than you anticipated.
  3. Consuming more than that can lead to liver damage and heart disease, and increase your risk for some cancers.
  4. The alcohol withdrawal timeline varies, but the worst of the symptoms typically wear off after 72 hours.

You may want to speak with a loved one or therapist about a strategy to prevent relapses from happening. For mild alcohol withdrawal that’s not at risk of worsening, your provider may prescribe carbamazepine or gabapentin to help with symptoms. It affects about 50% of people with alcohol use disorder who stop or significantly decrease their alcohol intake. AUD is the most common substance use disorder in the U.S., affecting 28.8 million adults. If your home environment is not supportive for staying sober, talk with your doctor. Your doctor may be able to connect you with shelter programs for people recovering from alcohol addiction.

Symptoms of tapering off alcohol

It can lower the severity of symptoms, and it can make you more likely to meet your goals. Most people experience the most severe symptoms from about 36–72 hours after stopping drinking. It can be helpful to make a plan ahead of time for how to handle a relapse. For example, some people choose to write a list of reasons why they want to stop drinking alcohol, and revisit the list to remind themselves after a relapse.

What does drinking alcohol do to your body?

There are specific medical treatments that will stop or reduce most of the symptoms you could experience if you quit cold turkey. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are the primary reason that many people relapse when they attempt to quit. It’s much better to focus on something you enjoy than to focus on the discomfort of your withdrawal symptoms.

Talk about it

It may be easier on your rehabilitation to skip visits with “drinking buddies” or avoid gatherings with a focus on drinking. Eating a healthy diet while you are going through withdrawal may also help aid in digestion and energy levels. This may be helpful for combating withdrawal symptoms such as stomach upset and feelings of fatigue.

Their job is to make sure that if you develop any worsening of symptoms, they get you to a hospital or call 911 immediately. Consider writing them down and keeping notes on hand, so you have a physical reminder to look at when you need it to help motivate you to stay the course. Satisfying hobbies can distract you from wanting to drink, but they also help you relax — something everyone needs to do.

– Don’t go through withdrawal alone.

Your doctor can help by prescribing medications for alcohol withdrawal that can alleviate or even stop some of your symptoms. Foods rich in vitamins and minerals, like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains, can support the body’s recovery. Hydration is also important, so drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeine is advised. Some people find that smaller, more frequent meals help if nausea is an issue.

Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website. You’ll likely need other treatments for related health issues. If you need help finding a primary care doctor, then check out our FindCare tool here. Read on to learn about the symptoms of AWS, as well as how it can be treated or prevented.