Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous and even deadly without the right treatment, especially if you’ve been drinking heavily over a long period of time. Show
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include anxiety, tremors, sweating, and nausea. More severe symptoms include fever, mental confusion, and seizures. The safest way to detox from alcohol is under medical supervision.  Alcohol withdrawal happens when someone who’s been drinking a lot of alcohol over an extended period of time suddenly stops. Withdrawing from most types of medication is uncomfortable. But alcohol is one of very few substances that has a potentially fatal withdrawal period, as the symptoms can be life-threatening. It’s possible to get through alcohol withdrawal safely. But it’s important to get the right treatment and not to try to quit drinking, especially cold turkey, on your own. What triggers alcohol withdrawal?Withdrawal from any substance happens because your body has become physically dependent on it. For example, if you suddenly quit drinking coffee after drinking 10 cups a day, you may get headaches. In the case of alcohol, this happens because the substance is a central nervous system depressant that changes the way your brain works. Specifically, drinking alcohol causes your brain to produce more GABA (a neurotransmitter that makes you feel calm and euphoric) and less glutamate (a neurotransmitter that makes you feel excitable). To make up for this, your brain eventually starts producing less GABA and more glutamate to balance things out. When you suddenly stop drinking alcohol, your brain can’t catch up and you feel the effects of the neurotransmitter imbalance. This is what leads to withdrawal symptoms like jumpiness, tremors, and anxiety. Whether or not you go through withdrawal when you stop drinking depends on many different factors, including:
In general, if you’ve been drinking heavily over a long period of time — like months or years — you’re more likely to experience withdrawal when you stop. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawalThe potential symptoms of alcohol withdrawal range from moderate to life-threatening. Some common, mild symptoms include:
Most people going through alcohol withdrawal only experience mild symptoms. But around 10% of people get more severe and even life-threatening symptoms while detoxing. These include:
If you’re experiencing any of these serious symptoms after quitting alcohol, get medical care immediately. These symptoms can be fatal when they’re left untreated. How is alcohol withdrawal diagnosed?Alcohol withdrawal is usually diagnosed in a hospital or rehab center — places people go to detox or because their withdrawal symptoms have become a medical emergency. Healthcare providers often use an assessment called the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol Scale, or the CIWA-Ar, to figure out how severe someone’s withdrawal symptoms are. The scale assesses different symptoms, including nausea, hallucinations, and anxiety. Your healthcare provider might also conduct a physical exam to see how severe your withdrawal symptoms are. They may check for signs of dehydration, a fast or abnormal heart rate, and fever, among other things. Alcohol withdrawal timelineWhen, for how long, and how severely you feel withdrawal symptoms will depend on your specific situation. Most people recover from their symptoms within a week. And, although your symptoms may not follow this timeline, many people experience withdrawal in three stages. Below is an abbreviated timeline of these three stages, followed by more information about each one:
First stage: Mild symptomsSymptoms of alcohol withdrawal can begin within 6 hours of having your last drink. Usually, the first symptoms are uncomfortable but mild. They can include:
Most people will recover from alcohol withdrawal after going through these symptoms. How long it lasts: The first stage of alcohol withdrawal can last up to 7 days. Second stage: Possible seizures and other serious symptomsFor most people who get them, serious symptoms, including seizures, come on within the first 48 hours after their last drink. Over 5% of people going through alcohol withdrawal without treatment will enter this phase and experience seizures. If you haven’t developed any serious symptoms after 48 hours, then it’s likely that you’ll only have mild symptoms. However, there’s still a possibility you could develop them later on, and you should seek medical care if you do. How long it lasts: The second stage of alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually peaks between 24 to 72 hours after a person’s last drink. Third stage: Delirium tremens may beginAround 50% of people who have withdrawal seizures will eventually develop delirium tremens, or DTs. Most people who develop DTs do so between 48 to 72 hours after they stop drinking. That makes the first few days after you quit drinking the most critical and dangerous time of the withdrawal period. It’s important that you seek medical care during this phase, especially if you’re presenting with symptoms of DTs. How long it lasts: The third stage of alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually last for 2 to 3 days but may linger for up to a week. Possible fourth stage: Post-acute withdrawalSome people who go through alcohol withdrawal may experience symptoms for a longer period of time (from a week to months) after quitting drinking. This is called post-acute withdrawal syndrome, or PAWS. Symptoms of PAWS include continued trouble sleeping and mood problems. How long it lasts: The fourth stage of alcohol withdrawal can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. Can alcohol withdrawal symptoms be fatal?Alcohol withdrawal can be fatal, especially if you try to go through it on your own. Although they’re relatively rare, the following conditions related to alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening. If you notice any of the symptoms of these conditions, it’s important to get medical care immediately. Delirium tremensHaving DTs is the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal, and around 2% of people with alcohol dependence get them when they quit. Symptoms of DTs include:
DTs aren’t always fatal, but they can be. The mortality rate for people who get DTs is as high as 25%. But that number is much lower among people who get medical care for their symptoms. Having DTs is considered a medical emergency. If you notice any of the above symptoms, call 911 or get to the nearest hospital right away. SeizuresAlcohol withdrawal seizures, which are fatal in rare cases, usually occur before DTs. And reports show that around a third of people who start having seizures during withdrawal will develop DTs, so it’s an important symptom to pay attention to. Heart failureAlcohol withdrawal can also lead to heart problems, because of the way alcohol affects your organs. This is especially true if you’re experiencing DTs as part of the withdrawal process. In general, more research is needed to determine the exact connection between fatal heart failure and alcohol withdrawal. Is it safe to detox from alcohol on your own?The safest way to go through alcohol withdrawal is under the supervision of a healthcare provider. Being in a hospital or detox facility ensures that qualified professionals are always around to help you be as comfortable and safe as possible during the process. You should be especially wary of going through alcohol withdrawal without medical supervision if you have a high risk of developing DTs. Some factors that may heighten your risk are:
How do I know if I need medical assistance for detoxing?Ultimately, the best person to assess your risk for having alcohol withdrawal complications, like DTs, is a healthcare provider. Only a medical professional can adequately monitor you during withdrawal to make sure mild symptoms don’t become more serious. How to safely get through alcohol withdrawalIt’s possible to get through alcohol withdrawal safely with the right medical care. As previously mentioned, seeking treatment is always a much safer option than trying to go through alcohol withdrawal on your own. A healthcare provider can tell you whether you can go through the process at home or if you should get treatment at a facility. Medications for alcohol withdrawal syndromeMedications are one of the first-line treatments to address serious alcohol withdrawal, and they can save your life if you have DTs. A class of anti-anxiety medication called benzodiazepines are often prescribed to treat DTs and to help your brain adjust to the sudden absence of alcohol, which can prevent the onset of more serious withdrawal stages. During your recovery process, other medications may also be prescribed to help you deal with the symptoms and complications that can arise from long-term alcohol use and from withdrawal. These include vitamins for nutrient deficiencies and anticonvulsants, or anti-seizure medications. After you’ve safely gotten through withdrawal, you may be prescribed treatments that curb alcohol cravings. Take our quizAnswer the following questions honestly to better understand your current relationship with alcohol and to see whether you could benefit from cutting back a little or asking for some help. This is for informational use only. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice, a diagnosis, or endorsement of treatment. Always consult a doctor. By continuing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use. The bottom lineAlcohol withdrawal is dangerous, and it can even be fatal. If you’re a lifelong heavy drinker, don’t detox on your own. Instead, get connected to a medical detox facility. Medical professionals can help you get through alcohol withdrawal safely and connect you to resources to continue your recovery journey. If you or someone you know struggles with substance use, help is available. Call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to learn about resources in your area. GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines. Was this page helpful?thumb_up_outlinedthumb_down_outlined Subscribe and save.Get prescription saving tips and more from GoodRx Health. Enter your email to sign up.By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx. What happens to your body when you quit drinking?Withdrawal symptoms can include sweating, tremors, sleep problems, rapid heartbeat, nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, anxiety, restlessness, and possibly even seizures.
How long does it take body to recover from alcoholism?The new research shows that it takes at least two weeks for the brain to start returning to normal, so this is the point at which the alcohol recovery timeline begins. Until the brain has recovered, it is less able so suppress the urge to drink.
What happens after drinking detox?Detox, The First Stage of Recovery
These can range from mild, such as anxiety, sweating, and insomnia, to severe, such as hallucinations, high blood pressure, and seizures. Medical professionals can help manage withdrawal symptoms to avoid life-threatening issues.
What happens when you drink alcohol everyday?Long-Term Health Risks. Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including: High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems. Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum.
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What happens to your body when you detox from alcohol
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