You don’t need to be diagnosed with alcohol use disorder in order to quit drinking. If alcohol is interfering with your health or your personal, financial, or professional life, consider quitting. When someone drinks alcohol for a prolonged period of time and then stops, the body reacts to its absence. This is alcohol withdrawal, and it causes cutting back on alcohol symptoms uncomfortable physical and emotional symptoms. Most people who go through alcohol withdrawal make a full recovery. Your doctor will want to know if you have any mild itching, numbness, a pins-and-needles feeling, or burning.
Hour by hour: the first 24 hours
For most people, alcohol withdrawal symptoms will begin to subside after 72 hours. If you are still experiencing withdrawal symptoms after three marijuana addiction days, talk to your healthcare provider. People with moderate-to-severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms may need to be treated at a hospital or other facility that treats alcohol withdrawal. You will be watched closely for hallucinations and other signs of delirium tremens.
Substance Abuse Treatment
Alcohol withdrawal causes a range of symptoms when a person with alcohol use disorder stops or significantly decreases their alcohol intake. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, with the most severe being life-threatening. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a set of symptoms that occur when someone who is physically dependent upon alcohol suddenly stops drinking or drastically reduces their alcohol intake.
What is the treatment for alcohol withdrawal?
When the supply of alcohol suddenly stops or decreases, withdrawal symptoms can develop. A hangover occurs when a person drinks too much alcohol at one time. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome occurs when someone with alcohol use disorder stops or suddenly decreases their alcohol intake. While some of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome are similar to a hangover, they are not the same condition.
Excessive alcohol use is responsible for about 178,000 deaths in the United States each year, and it shortens the lives of those who die by an average of 24 years, as reported by the CDC. Alcohol-related overdoses, accidents, and long-term health complications place a significant burden on families and the healthcare system. Recovery is important not only for personal well-being but also for reducing the broader societal impact of alcohol addiction. More severe symptoms can include hallucinations, delirium tremens, and other symptoms such as anxiety, depression, sleep issues, nightmares, and increased confusion.
- With alcohol out of the equation, though, these chemicals cause withdrawal symptoms.
- Alcohol withdrawal syndrome can range in severity from mild to fatal, making it crucial for patients to present to care for evaluation of their symptoms.
- Doctors usually use a type of drug called benzodiazepines to reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
- Some people experience prolonged withdrawal symptoms, like insomnia and mood changes, that can last for weeks or months.
If you drink daily, your body becomes dependent on alcohol over time. When this happens, your central nervous system can no longer adapt easily to the lack of alcohol. If you suddenly stop drinking or significantly reduce the amount of alcohol you drink, it can cause AWS. See your doctor right away if you or your loved one has seizures, hallucinations, or signs of DTs.
What Are the Stages of Alcohol Withdrawal?
Acute withdrawal symptoms include tremors, sweating, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms could be mild or intense, depending on the severity of your addiction to alcohol. If you have been a heavy drinker for a long time, detoxing in a rehab facility is recommended to ensure a medical staff is available in case of complications. This is the most severe stage of alcohol withdrawal, and the one that comes with the most serious risks (called “delirium tremens”). Not everyone who withdraws from alcohol will experience these symptoms, but the risks are high. This is why it’s important to be under medical supervision when you are going through withdrawal.
