Facing alcohol withdrawal can feel overwhelming and frightening, especially if you don’t know what to expect. Familiarising yourself with the symptoms and getting the right support for you, will set you up for safe withdrawal and lasting recovery.
Alcohol withdrawal occurs when someone who’s been drinking heavily or regularly for a long period of time suddenly reduces or stops drinking. Alcohol slows down brain activity by increasing calming chemicals in the brain and reducing stimulating ones. Over time, the brain adjusts by producing less calming chemical and more stimulating ones, to maintain balance.
When alcohol use stops suddenly, this balance is disrupted. The brain struggles to adjust to the absence of alcohol, leading to withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can vary widely in intensity. You may experience mild, moderate or even severe symptoms, depending on a number of factors. These factors include how frequently you drank alcohol, in what quantity and over what period of time. Other factors include your baseline physical health and any co-occurring conditions.
Mild symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include headaches, nausea, sweating, anxiety and insomnia. Symptoms may begin 6 to12 hours after your last drink and are often the first signs of withdrawal.
Moderate symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include vomiting, confusion, elevated heart rate and increased blood pressure. Symptoms usually develop within 12 to 48 hours and indicate a heightened response by the body to the absence of alcohol.
Severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include seizures, hallucinations, delirium tremens (DTs) and severe confusion. These symptoms often emerge 48 to 72 hours after your last drink and can be life-threatening without immediate medical intervention.
Alcohol withdrawal typically progresses along a timeline, with symptoms occurring, worsening and eventually easing off within a total of around 72 hours. Breaking down the symptoms and likely timeline gives you an indication of what to expect during withdrawal from alcohol.
Sometimes, people who are dependent on alcohol may not realise that their personal use has reached the point where not drinking causes withdrawal symptoms. Spotting these signs can be a way to gauge the seriousness of your dependency or addiction.
Alcohol withdrawal can also cause behavioural changes. These include irritability, restlessness or trouble sleeping.
If you think you’re experiencing alcohol withdrawal, it’s essential to understand your options and take appropriate action to ensure your safety and wellbeing.
A medically supervised detox takes place in a safe environment, where trained healthcare professionals monitor your progress around the clock.
Specialist treatment centres use evidence-based approaches to successfully manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce discomfort. For example, they will replenish your vitamin stores by giving daily injections of thiamine (vitamin B1) that alcohol depletes. The loss of this essential vitamin can lead to memory and neurological problems like Wernicke’s encephalopathy, that can be serious.
The alcohol detox process allows your body to adjust to an alcohol-free state as gradually and gently as possible.
Detox medications make withdrawal safer and more tolerable, significantly reducing the risk of life-threatening complications. They include:
Seeking professional help is a sign of strength. With the proper care and support, it’s possible to recover from alcohol dependency.
Detox is the first step towards recovery. After withdrawal, ongoing support such as therapy, support groups or alcohol recovery programmes can help address the root causes of alcohol dependence and provide you with tools for maintaining sobriety. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), group counselling and participation in recovery communities like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) can help build a solid foundation for a healthier, alcohol-free life.
