Long-term alcohol use, here’s what you might experience when you stop drinking, according to Harvard Medical School. Symptoms and severity vary from person to person, and you may need medical treatment to withdraw from alcohol safely. Learn how to spot the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, how long symptoms of withdrawal can last, and how to get help. It is usually difficult for people who drink to be completely honest about how much they’ve been drinking.

People living with an alcohol use disorder can quickly become deficient in vitamins and minerals. As a lack of good food and increased alcohol consumption actively reduces the levels of some vitamins, your body may weaken, leaving you experiencing more severe symptoms. If you are unsure of which vitamins to take, discuss treatment with a medical professional. You may be able to detox at home and still attend outpatient therapy or support group meetings. The brain compensates for the depressive effects of alcohol by increasing its activity.

Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Tapering can help you overcome alcohol dependence, which is a side effect of chronic alcohol use that causes cravings and withdrawal. Detox doesn’t treat addiction, which is a disease characterized by compulsive behaviors, such as chronic alcohol use. These risks are all reasons that you should be getting professional help for your alcohol withdrawal. It is far too easy to shift from recreational drinking to chronic drinking to dependence and finally to addiction. And then, everywhere you go, you are given opportunities to drink.

• Benzodiazepines, which are also often used to treat anxiety, may be prescribed to help with symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
• The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records.
• These treatments can help ensure that you are able to detox safely and minimize the withdrawal symptoms that you will experience.
• Having a cold shower may be one of the last things you want to do while in withdrawal, but doing so can help when you are suffering.
• Tell your close friends and family before you begin your detox and ask them to support you during the process.

It also covers some of the different treatment options that are available. Options for participating in holistic and alternative natural treatments include herbal supplements, healthy nutrition, physical exercise and more. All holistic treatments support you in restoring your body, mind, and spirit from the impacts of addiction. Once health and safety have been addressed, treatment may then focus on long-term approaches to aid in recovery from alcohol dependence.

Benzodiazepines, which are also often used to treat anxiety, may be prescribed to help with symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. These medications depress the central nervous system and put people in a more relaxed state. They can be helpful for relieving symptoms such as irritability, nausea, vomiting, headaches, anxiety, and pain. A healthcare provider may also suggest vitamins and dietary changes help with your withdrawal symptoms. Make no mistake about it, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be severe, and in some cases fatal. Recognize the importance of a holistic approach to drug and alcohol treatment.

When you talk to your 7 ways to have fun at parties as the only sober person about symptom relief, it’s a good idea to discuss treatment for alcohol abuse or dependence. If yourblood pressure, pulse, or body temperature rises, or if you have more serious symptoms likeseizuresand hallucinations, seek medical care immediately . Your doctor could suggest inpatient care and drug treatment. Talk to your doctor or a drug treatment specialist about what to expect as you experience alcohol withdrawal. Ask your doctor whether any medications may help in the process.

A Word From Verywell

Alcohol rehab helps you taper off alcohol, and it treats other side effects and causes of alcoholism. The recovery process doesn’t end after 90 days of treatment. The transition back to life outside of rehab is fraught with the potential for relapse. Aftercare resources such as 12-step groups, sober living homes and support for family and friends promote a life rich with rewarding relationships and meaning. Alcohol withdrawal is easy to diagnose if you have typical symptoms that occur after you stop heavy, habitual drinking.

For most people, alcohol withdrawal symptoms will begin sometime in the first eight hours after their final drink. The best way to quit alcohol while avoiding unpleasant withdrawal symptoms is to ask for help. 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. Effective addiction treatment programs are tailored to each individual. Because of this, it will be a different experience for everyone.

Delirium tremens is a serious condition that some people coping with alcohol withdrawal go through. It is characterized by severe nausea, seizures, and hallucinations. If you begin to experience DT, you need to get immediate medical attention as it can be life-threatening.

What Is Alcohol Withdrawal?

I gave up alcohol to help me better manage my chronic illness. A relative or friend must stay with you to monitor your condition. Their job is to make sure that if you develop any worsening of symptoms, they get you to a hospital or call 911 immediately. The most common causes of death for patients with delirium tremens are cardiac arrhythmia and respiratory failure. In the past, the mortality rate for people with DTs was around 35%. Advances in both diagnosis and care have dropped this rate to 2%.

Good foods to eat during detox include salmon, broccoli, lean beef, and cayenne pepper. Whole grains, low-fat proteins, and vitamin B-rich foods are recommended while detoxing. Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber and digest quickly into the body during detox.

It’s important to call out that withdrawal symptoms don’t just affect people with alcohol use disorder who quit drinking. They can also affect those who drink excessively and stop. Typically, alcohol withdrawal symptoms happen for heavier drinkers. Alcohol withdrawal can begin within hours of ending a drinking session. Alcohol detox isn’t easy and not everyone can do it on their own. That is why alcohol detox and alcohol withdrawal treatment is administered by medical professionals.

The important thing is to stay safe in the case of a medical emergency. For people who experience hallucinations as part of alcohol withdrawal, these may begin in the 12- to 24-hour time frame. Verywell Health’s content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While cirrhosis scars from excessive drinking are irreversible, quitting alcohol and leading a healthier lifestyle can help your liver heal from alcohol-related liver disease. Get a small container and put some meaningful items in that container.

As withdrawal ends, it’s important for people to continue to seek treatment.” Gary Hominick, LPC tells WebMD Connect to Care. “It also includes the understanding that for some, recovery is a lifelong process. Taking care of yourself physically and emotionally is a lifestyle decision.” Hominick continues.

It can be very comforting to know that millions have gone through withdrawal. Stand in solidarity with everyone else who has decided to address their substance use disorder and the challenge required to achieve a healthier life. Learning what helps with alcohol withdrawal can be a process. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be mild to severe, yet there are many ways to cope with them. There are specific medical treatments that will stop or reduce most of the symptoms you could experience if you quit cold turkey.

Delirium tremens occurs in only about 5% of people who go through alcohol withdrawal, but is fatal for up to 1 in 20 people who develop it, according to Harvard Medical School. If you’re addicted to alcohol, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to recover without some form of addiction treatment. You may be able to detox at home and recover from alcoholism with the help of support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous. However, medically supervised detox and professional rehab are more likely to help you maintain long-term sobriety. Read on to learn more about alcohol withdrawal syndrome, including the signs, symptoms, and detoxification process.

The purpose of tapering off alcohol is to avoid major withdrawal symptoms so you can achieve sobriety safely. The time it takes to taper will depend on how long you’ve been drinking, how much you’ve been drinking and a variety of personal factors. Our community offers unique perspectives on lifelong recovery and substance use prevention, empowering others through stories of strength and courage. You will also find information on spotting the signs and symptoms of substance use and hotlines for immediate assistance. When you begin drinking more to counter your growing tolerance, you may become dependent. This happens when your brain and body are so accustomed to the presence of alcohol that they have trouble functioning without it.

Medical treatment may also help a person with alcohol use disorder prepare to quit drinking. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration has approved three nonaddictive medications for alcohol use disorder. This article will discuss the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal as well as the timeline and process of detox.

If you drink only once in a while, it’s unlikely that you’ll have withdrawal symptoms when you stop. But if you’ve gone through alcohol withdrawal once, you’re more likely to go through it again the next time you call it quits. 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. If they are open to it, a person may feel supported by your staying with them throughout withdrawal to keep them accountable and safe in case of a medical emergency. You can help them by creating a safe space with low lighting, minimal sensory input, and a plentiful supply of healthy food and water. You can also encourage this person to stay sober after their initial withdrawal period.

Eating nutritious food, exercising, and getting enough sleep can help reduce some withdrawal symptoms, such as mood swings. If don’t have much of an appetite, you may want to take a multivitamin or drink a beverage high in electrolytes, such as a sports drink. If you take prescription medication, continue to take it as directed.

Benzodiazepines carry a Food and Drug Administration boxed warning because there is a risk of dependence. If you’re prescribed a medication from this class of drugs talk with your doctor about the risks before taking them and always follow the doctor’s instructions. If your symptoms are more severe, you may need to stay in the hospital. This is so your doctor can monitor your condition and manage any complications. You may need to get fluids intravenously, or through your veins, to prevent dehydration and medications to help ease your symptoms. Treatment for AWS depends on how severe your symptoms are.