Author: Alex Thompson

Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal: Timeline and Signs of Danger

The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result. Alice is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Addiction Registered Nurse – Advanced Practice. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and her Master of Science in Nursing from Loyola University New Orleans. Alice currently serves as a regional medical leader at Eleanor Health and enjoys being a part of a dynamic team that provides compassionate, accessible, and equitable care. Medical detoxification makes the process safer, more manageable, and greatly increases the chances of long-term success, but it’s just the first step in your journey.

The CDC defines it as more than 15 drinks per week for people assigned male at birth and more than 8 drinks per week for people assigned female at birth. With long-term heavy alcohol intake, your brain adapts to the effects of booze over time. In addition to experiencing Stage 2 symptoms, those with severe alcohol withdrawal experience severe anxiety and moderate to severe tremors. If your blood pressure, pulse, or body temperature rises, or if you have more serious symptoms like seizures and hallucinations, seek medical care immediately (dial 911).

Social Support and Treatment Programs

Generally, you may need treatment for alcohol misuse when you can no longer control the amount you drink or how long you drink. To learn more about when you may need help for alcohol misuse, visit our informational page on helping someone with an alcohol use disorder or take our alcohol misuse self-assessment. If you’ve experienced physical danger during detox in the past, it’s a strong indicator that you need medical assistance at a clinic or other inpatient setting. Healthcare professionals will monitor your vital signs and manage any complications that arise. Medical detoxification or detox for alcohol is a process designed to help individuals safely withdraw from alcohol under medical supervision. It can be done either inpatient or outpatient, depending on your health, needs, and personal preferences.

During alcohol detox, medication can ease your discomfort and prevent symptoms from worsening. According to Hilary S. Connery, MD, PhD, the clinical director of the division of alcohol, drugs, and addiction at McLean Hospital in Boston, withdrawal medications are suitable for most people. There are many resources available for anyone who is ready to stop drinking for good, or who wants to reduce the harm alcohol is causing in their life by cutting down. As you continue to commit to long-term recovery, support group meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or online support communities might be helpful.

Although there are many benzos available, diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and chlordiazepoxide (Librium) are the most frequently used. They’re sedatives that work by stimulating gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical in the brain that is involved in setting off alcohol withdrawal symptoms. If you drink only once in a while, it’s unlikely that you’ll have withdrawal symptoms when you stop.

Risks and Complications

These factors are influenced by the duration of heavy drinking, level of alcohol consumption, and more. For most people, alcohol withdrawal headaches will begin four to six hours after drinking and last around three days. In more severe withdrawal cases, debilitating headaches may last longer. People with alcohol use disorder should be monitored by a medical professional when withdrawing from alcohol. Moderate to heavy drinkers can also benefit from medical supervision in the acute withdrawal stage.

Think you have a drinking problem?

The main ways to prevent alcohol withdrawal are to avoid alcohol altogether or to get professional help as soon as possible if you think you’re developing alcohol use disorder. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal tend to peak 24 to 72 hours after your last drink. Some people experience prolonged withdrawal symptoms, like insomnia and mood changes, that can last for weeks or months. Alcohol withdrawal can range from very mild symptoms to a severe form, known as delirium tremens. Our inpatient treatment center offers the evidence-based care you need to overcome addiction and lead an alcohol-free life. PAWS occurs as the brain attempts to recalibrate itself after addiction.

1. If you are thinking about quitting drinking, talk to your healthcare provider.
2. Each of these symptoms can increase in intensity depending on the severity of the withdrawal.
3. This is alcohol withdrawal, and it causes uncomfortable physical and emotional symptoms.
4. Over time, your central nervous system adjusts to having alcohol around all the time.

What is the treatment for alcohol withdrawal?

While most cases are mild,  if you experience severe or acute withdrawal, seek immediate medical attention, as symptoms can be life-threatening if left alone. For most people, alcohol withdrawal symptoms will begin to subside after 72 hours. If you are still experiencing withdrawal symptoms after three days, talk to your healthcare provider.

For those with alcohol use disorder, withdrawal is just the first (but very important) step on a long journey to recovery. These first few weeks are critical because they are when the risk of relapse is highest. However, try not to have too many firm expectations, as symptoms can continue for multiple weeks in some people.

Can I prevent alcohol withdrawal?

It also discusses various treatment options for alcohol withdrawal and how you can get help. If you drink alcohol heavily for weeks, months, or years, you may have both mental and physical problems when you stop or seriously cut back on how much you drink. Recovery from alcohol use disorder is a journey that is best undertaken with the support of a caring and understanding community. Seeking out and embracing the support of loved ones, peers in recovery, and professional addiction treatment providers can significantly enhance the chances of long-term success. Mild alcohol withdrawal can often be managed at home with a supervised medical detox.

When someone has been drinking regularly and chooses to quit, alcohol withdrawal can result in a series of uncomfortable symptoms, and some of them can put a person’s health at risk. Experts suggest you should seek the help of a doctor or treatment center to detox safely. The first symptoms—and maybe the only symptoms—you experience may resemble a bad hangover. She adds that withdrawal can also occur after a significant reduction in alcohol consumption. The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal delirium include withdrawal seizures that can occur between 8 and 28 hours after your last drink.

How is alcohol withdrawal diagnosed?

It’s important to weigh the pros and cons—in particular, costs and insurance coverage—of the type of treatment with your family members and primary care physician. If you decide to get treatment, your doctor can recommend the type of care that you need. Check out our blog posts and resource links for the latest information on substance abuse. If you or a loved one need help with a substance use disorder, evidence-based treatment facilities can give you the assistance you need to overcome withdrawal and pursue sobriety. It can be helpful to write down your reasons for quitting and the difficulty of withdrawal while it is fresh in your mind. Withdrawal is different for everyone; there really is no “normal” and it can be hard to predict an individual person’s experience.