Deciding to stop or cut back on drinking is a big step. Many people are also concerned about what happens next. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms affect everyone differently, but they usually subside within four to five days after your last drink. Some symptoms are mild and can be managed at home easily. Others are more serious and may require immediate medical attention.
If you’ve been drinking heavily for a long time, it’s a good idea to talk to your health care provider before you stop completely. This is the safest approach since withdrawal symptoms can become serious without medical supervision.
Fortunately, these symptoms are temporary. Withdrawal is an important step, and our Recovery Support Coordinators at Groups are here to help you. Knowing what to expect can help you prepare with confidence, so you can make your alcohol withdrawal go as smoothly as possible.
Let’s explore common alcohol withdrawal symptoms that may occur during the first three days and how you can manage them.
What is alcohol withdrawal?
Alcohol withdrawal is the set of symptoms you may experience when you stop heavy drinking after a longtime use. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines heavy drinking as five or more alcoholic drinks a day or 15 or more a week for men. For women, heavy drinking is 4 or more drinks a day or 8 or more a week for.
When your body adjusts to having alcohol in its system, the brain and nervous system slows down. As a result, your body works harder to stay alert. When you stop drinking, your body doesn’t have to slow down anymore. Your brain may still be overactive before it gets used to the absence of alcohol, which can lead to alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol withdrawal is very common, and about 50% of people with alcohol use disorder experience symptoms. Everyone’s experience is different, and symptoms can be mild or severe.
For people who drink heavily or have other medical conditions, it’s important to talk to your provider before discontinuing alcohol use. Your provider can create a plan to help you taper safely or begin a medically supervised detox, if needed. They can help to reduce your drinking gradually to help minimize alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
What alcohol withdrawal symptoms are common?
Common alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Increased blood pressure
- Anxiety
- Sweating
- Insomnia
- Heart palpitations
- Nausea or vomiting
- Tremors
- Hallucinations
- Confusion
Alcohol withdrawal typically peaks 24 to 72 hours after the last drink before symptoms start subsiding. Many of these side effects are manageable with at-home care, but you should seek medical attention immediately if you’re experiencing serious symptoms.
While alcohol withdrawal can be unpleasant, it’s an important step in recovery. Continued alcohol use can lead to serious health conditions such as liver or heart disease.
Timeline of alcohol withdrawal symptoms
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms and their severity depend on how much and long you’ve been drinking. These symptoms are different for everyone, but this timeline can give you a general idea of what to expect. Withdrawal usually lasts four to five days, but sometimes, it can take weeks.
While some symptoms can be uncomfortable, many mild effects can be eased with at-home care. Knowing what may happen can help you prepare with confidence.
Here’s what may happen, how to manage symptoms, and when to seek immediate medical attention:
6 to 12 hours after last drink
Usually, mild signs begin to appear six hours after drinking. At this point, your body is beginning to react to not having alcohol. At-home care may help with mild symptoms, but seek immediate medical attention if your symptoms become severe.
Symptoms may include:
- Anxiety
- Sweating
- Headaches
- Shaky hands
- Nausea and vomiting
- Insomnia
At-home care:
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Eat small, nutritious meals.
- Rest as much as you can.
When to seek medical attention:
- Severe vomiting or dehydration
- Rapid heartbeat or chest pain
- Confusion or extreme agitation
12 to 24 hours after last drink
At this point, symptoms may begin to intensify. More serious symptoms may also appear during this time frame.
Symptoms may include:
- Increased shaking and sweating
- Hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren’t there) in severe cases
At-home care:
- Stay hydrated.
- Relax as much as possible.
- Ask a friend or family member to check on you.
When to seek medical attention:
- Hallucinations
- Severe agitation
- Persistent vomiting
- Rapid heart rate or high blood pressure
24 to 72 hours after last drink
People experiencing severe symptoms of withdrawal are likely to have them during this window. About 1% have seizures during alcohol withdrawal and this is most likely to occur 24 to 72 hours after the last drink.
Delirium tremens is a life-threatening form of alcohol withdrawal that can cause tremors, anxiety, and disorientation. This rare risk occurs in 5% of people during alcohol withdrawal and may appear 48 to 72 hours after discontinuing alcohol.
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal may include:
- Seizures
- Delirium tremens
- Other symptoms reaching their peak intensity
When to seek medical attention:
- Seizures
- Delirium tremens
- Severe confusion, agitation, or hallucinations
- High fever, rapid heart rate, or severe tremors
Important: Severe withdrawal is a medical emergency. Contacting emergency help by dialing 911 immediately is the safest way to manage severe or escalating symptoms.
At-home treatment strategies
At-home care may be helpful for mild to moderate symptoms.
- Stay hydrated — Drinking plenty of water or fluids with electrolytes can help ease nausea. It also reduces dehydration, fatigue, and dizziness.
- Eat regularly — Nutritious meals can boost energy and give your body vitamins and minerals that decreased in your body from alcohol use.
- Rest — Relaxing as much as possible can ease irritability and stress from detoxification.
- Avoid stimulants — Caffeine can worsen withdrawal symptoms like shakiness, rapid heartbeat, and anxiety. Avoiding stimulants can keep your body from going through additional stress.
- Have support available — Knowing a trusted friend or family member is nearby can be reassuring. If symptoms get worse, they can help you get medical attention right away.
Why medical attention may be needed
People who experience mild or moderate symptoms may be able to navigate alcohol withdrawal with at-home care techniques if they don’t have major risk factors. However, severe symptoms can be life threatening and require immediate medical attention. Getting immediate care can help you make it through alcohol withdrawal safely and prevent severe complications.
You should seek emergency care if you experience:
- Seizures or convulsions
- Severe agitation, confusion, or hallucinations
- Persistent vomiting or inability to keep down fluids
- Rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, or chest pain
- Fever or severe tremors
If you’re unsure if your symptoms are serious, it’s best to be safe and get checked. Your provider may give you medications to reduce symptoms, administer IV fluids to treat dehydration, and monitor your vital signs. Even if you’re unsure if you should seek medical attention, it’s best to reach out if you think you may need help.
Treatment options and support
At Groups, we provide support for alcohol use disorder in Iowa and are working to expand this treatment to our other locations in the future. Our Recovery Support Coordinators can guide you as you prepare and recover from withdrawal, which includes emotional support.
Many times, alcohol use can accompany cannabis and opioid use. If you’re also experiencing this, we can help with cannabis use disorder in Iowa and opioid use disorder recovery at all of our locations. Our team can help you create a safe plan for withdrawal and support your recovery along the way. Whether you live in or outside of Iowa, you can contact us, and we can help you find treatment in your area.
Groups can help you through alcohol withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal can be difficult, but you don’t have to face this challenge alone. At Groups, our Recovery Support Coordinators are here to help you. We know that alcohol withdrawal can be scary, but knowing what to expect and having a plan can help you prepare. With professional support, you can safely navigate your alcohol withdrawal and set a good foundation for your recovery.
If you have questions about your treatment options, please call 888-858-1723 for more information. We provide treatment across the country — and we’re always expanding. See if we offer care in your state, either online or at one of our 130+ local offices. If Groups does not offer treatment in your area, you can locate other treatment options here.
