10 Signs of Alcohol Withdrawal That Might Surprise You

A doctor may also prescribe a sedative drug, such as a benzodiazepine, to help reduce withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness or agitation. Benzodiazepines like Librium (chlordiazepoxide) and Ativan (lorazepam) may also help to prevent minor withdrawal symptoms from becoming more severe. Other drugs a healthcare provider might prescribe include anxiolytics , vitamins, and suboxone. The exact timeline for alcohol withdrawal varies from person to person. It’s based on several factors, including how long, how much, and how regularly you have been drinking alcohol. Medical professionals often prescribe benzodiazepines to manage withdrawal symptoms and prevent complications.

Treatment & Support

Knowing when alcohol withdrawal symptoms shift from uncomfortable to truly dangerous is critical. This isn’t about overreacting; it’s about understanding that alcohol withdrawal can, in some cases, be fatal. Certain symptoms demand immediate professional help– think seizures, severe confusion, high fever, and hallucinations.

You’ll Consume Fewer Calories

This discomfort often includes vomiting, bloating, and persistent stomach pain. If you are thinking about quitting drinking, talk to your healthcare provider. Medical supervision, behavioral health treatment, and mutual-aid groups can help you through alcohol withdrawal and stay stopped. The most well-known example of a peer support program that helps people with alcohol addiction is Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA. This original 12-step program has helped many people get the support they need to stay sober after they stop drinking alcohol. Many people decide to go into an inpatient treatment program when they are first trying to walk away from alcohol addiction.

Who is at Risk of Acute Withdrawal?

You should seek immediate emergency care if you experience seizures, delirium tremens, or severe confusion during alcohol withdrawal. These symptoms can be life-threatening without proper medical intervention. Watch for signs like hallucinations, rapid heart rate above 120 bpm, or severe hypertension. Your mental health and recovery support are essential, but severe withdrawal requires professional medical management.

You don’t need to be at the point of requiring emergency attention to reach out to those around you for support. Lots of people with alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous use disorder need professional help to quit drinking. But you’ll need to be honest about how much you drink and how often. Treatment varies depending on the severity of withdrawal symptoms. People experiencing mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms often receive outpatient care—meaning there is no extended time spent in a hospital or facility. It’s recommended, however, that they have someone stay with them who can help during recovery.

• Since dehydration worsens withdrawal, maintaining proper fluid balance is crucial for symptom management.
• You can learn more about our comprehensive medication-assisted treatment services.
• This is so your doctor can monitor your condition and manage any complications.
• This is the most severe stage of alcohol withdrawal, and the one that comes with the most serious risks (called “delirium tremens”‌).
• It’s a quick way to gauge whether you need immediate medical attention.

How Caron Can Help with Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

While acute fatigue peaks within the first 72 hours, some individuals may experience prolonged exhaustion lasting several weeks as their bodies readjust to sobriety. Eating healthy foods, trying to get exercise, and getting enough sleep can help reduce some withdrawal symptoms, such as mood swings. If you take prescription medication, continue to take it as directed. Doctors will monitor your symptoms and risk for alcohol withdrawal complications. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms range from mild but annoying to severe and life-threatening.

Insomnia or Trouble Sleeping

This is sometimes referred to as protracted or post-acute alcohol withdrawal (PAW), though it’s not recognized in DSM-5. It’s estimated that about 75% of people following acute alcohol withdrawal experience prolonged symptoms. While it’s true that up to 50% of people with AUD experience withdrawal symptoms, only a small portion require medical treatment. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can occur after a person https://ecosoberhouse.com/ suddenly stops drinking or suddenly strongly reduces drinking after prolonged and heavy exposure to alcohol. I always thought alcohol helped me sleep, but that was far from the truth. Alcohol disrupts your sleep cycles, especially REM sleep, which is crucial for rest.

Waking up with a racing heart was something I thought was due to anxiety or over-exertion. But alcohol affects the heart by acting as a depressant, slowing down heart function. During withdrawal, the opposite happens—your heart rate increases as your nervous system becomes overstimulated. This surge in adrenaline causes palpitations and an increased heart rate, as your body tries to adapt to the absence of alcohol. Night sweats became so normal for me that it was almost part of my middle-of-the-night routine to get up and change my clothes.

• No, your withdrawal symptoms won’t differ between beer and hard liquor consumption.
• Our alcohol withdrawal risk assessment calculator helps you evaluate potential complications based on your drinking patterns and health factors.

Week Two Benefits

• We’re here to guide you through every step, turning what feels impossible into your new beginning.
• For people at low risk of complications, an office visit to your primary care provider, along with at-home monitoring and virtual office visits, may suffice.
• Your mental health and recovery support are essential, but severe withdrawal requires professional medical management.

Over my years treating patients, I’ve guided thousands through withdrawal symptoms and seen how proper medical care transforms what feels impossible into achievable recovery. Let me walk you through everything you need to know about this crucial first step toward healing. Symptoms beer withdrawal symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can range from mild to serious and can sometimes be life-threatening. If you drink only once in a while, you’re unlikely to have withdrawal symptoms. But if you’ve gone through alcohol withdrawal once, you’re more likely to go through it again.

The person should also try to eat three well-balanced meals per day and drink enough water to remain hydrated. If you’re otherwise healthy and can stop drinking and get treatment, the outlook is usually good. However, sleep disturbances, irritability, and fatigue may continue for months. 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.