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Alcohol claims more lives each year in America than opiates. The search for more effective treatments for those with alcohol use disorder (AUD) is both necessary and crucial in ending the scourge of alcoholism. Besides heavy drinkers, even when someone who’s dependent on alcohol contemplates going into treatment, however, the looming and dreaded alcohol withdrawal phase often scares them off.
There’s good reason for that, although researchers are hard at work to identify and develop medications and therapies beyond existing ones approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to use to treat AUDs during formal alcohol withdrawal treatment. Nevertheless, one key question for anyone who wants to stop drinking is, what helps with alcohol withdrawal?
Alcohol withdrawal is what happens when you’ve been drinking heavily for a period of weeks, months or years and suddenly stop drinking. You may experience physical and mental problems when the alcohol you normally consume has been drastically cut back or stopped. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal may range from mild to moderate to severe.
Excessive drinking changes the balance of chemicals in your brain. Your body adapts to alcohol’s effects and when alcohol is suddenly removed, these adaptations cause withdrawal symptoms.
Common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:
More severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms may include:
Understanding withdrawal is an important part of preparing for the alcohol detox process and helps ensure those struggling with alcohol addiction receive the proper medication and medical supervision.
Without knowledge and preparation, withdrawal can be dangerous or even life-threatening.
While everyone’s timeline is unique, alcohol withdrawal symptoms typically begin within 8-24 hours after the last drink, peak within 24-72 hours and generally improve within 5-7 days.
Withdrawal duration and severity depend on drinking history, quantity, frequency, co-occurring health conditions, age and genetics.
Approximately 3 to 5 percent of individuals with moderate to severe alcohol addiction experience severe symptoms, like hallucinations and delirium tremens (DTs). DTs usually appear within two or three days after the last drink and last between one and eight days.
Everyone experiences alcohol withdrawal differently. For some, symptoms are mild and manageable. Others, however, experience intense symptoms or even life-threatening complications.
Studies show that differences in brain chemistry and neurotransmitter function influence how strongly the body experiences withdrawal symptoms. Some people naturally process alcohol more slowly, meaning higher levels of alcohol stay in the bloodstream longer. Over time this can lead to higher dependence and more severe withdrawal symptoms.
Long-term heavy drinking increases the likelihood of severe withdrawal symptoms. The more often and heavily someone drinks, the more the body adapts to the presence of alcohol. When that supply suddenly stops, the body must readjust, leading to withdrawal symptoms.
Medical or mental health conditions on top of an alcohol addiction can make withdrawal that much more dangerous. For example, liver disease negatively impacts the body’s ability to eliminate waste and toxins (e.g., alcohol). This condition prolongs withdrawal and makes symptoms more severe. Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and electrolyte imbalances can also complicate withdrawal and recovery.
Those with co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) may also exacerbate withdrawal symptoms and severity. This is known clinically as dual diagnosis, and increases a person’s risk for panic attacks or severe mood swings.
Understanding these risk factors can help you or a loved one prepare for safer, more comfortable detox methods. Next, we explore practical ways to ease withdrawal symptoms and nourish your body through the recovery process.
If your symptoms are mild, you can take certain home care measures to stay as comfortable as possible as your body adjusts:
In addition to supportive care, here’s how you can manage stress and maintain balance during early recovery:
While mild withdrawal can sometimes be managed at home, moderate to severe symptoms require medical supervision to avoid severe and potentially life-threatening conditions. Seek immediate medical care if you experience any of the following:
These symptoms are a medical emergency. At Beach House Center for Recovery, our medically supervised detox program offers 24/7 support to ensure you remain safe and as comfortable as possible during withdrawal.
Alcohol detox is the first step toward recovery and lifelong healing. Medically supervised detox helps your body safely eliminate alcohol while keeping you as comfortable as possible.
Inpatient alcohol detox programs provide 24/7 medical supervision, symptom management, and emotional support in a safe, structured environment. This is one of the best ways to manage moderate to severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms or co-occurring conditions.
Outpatient alcohol detox allows patients with mild symptoms to receive supportive care for alcohol withdrawal symptoms while continuing daily routines. Our clinicians monitor your progress daily and may prescribe medications to ease comfort.
For managing alcohol withdrawal severity and prevent complications, you may be prescribed one of the following medications:
Beach House Center for Recovery may also prescribe cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and counseling to support the emotional and behavioral aspects of recovery.
Those who have gone through the detox process more than once or twice may experience something called ‘kindling,’ which means repeated cycles of alcohol use and detox make the body more sensitive to withdrawal symptoms.
Planning ahead, seeking medical help for alcohol withdrawal, and following a structured medical detox program can help reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms.
Beyond detox, maintaining sobriety requires ongoing support. Beach House Center for Recovery offers continuing care services such as individual therapy, counseling, and lifestyle adjustments for as long as needed post-detox.
It’s important to have a relapse prevention plan in place to protect your physical health and emotional well-being.
Medical detox programs offer around-the-clock support and medical monitoring ensure safety during withdrawal. Inpatient and outpatient treatment programs allow medical professionals to adjust care based on symptom severity, ensuring optimal comfort and safety throughout the entire process.
Beach House Center for Recovery offers the following specialized therapy programs to help patients maintain recovery:
If you’re ready to take the first step toward recovery, contact Beach House Center for Recovery today. Our admissions specialists are ready to guide you every step of the way.
While not a replacement for medical care, alternative alcohol withdrawal remedies, like vitamins, hydration, balanced nutrition, and mindfulness practices can help the body cope with the discomfort of withdrawal and support overall wellness.
Yes. Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms like DTs or seizures can be fatal without medical supervision.
Those coping with mild alcohol withdrawal can safely manage cravings through:
• Gradual reduction
• Individual therapy and support groups (Alcoholics Anonymous)
• Distraction techniques
In addition to a medically supervised detox program, the best way to help ease withdrawal symptoms is by eating healthy, well-balanced meals and staying hydrated. Electrolyte drinks have been shown to help manage mild symptoms.
Medical supervision is advised for those with a moderate to severe alcohol addiction. While mild cases could be safely managed at home, we recommend seeking medical alcohol withdrawal support and guidance to ensure your safety and comfort.
Attempting to detox from alcohol alone and without medical supervision can be extremely dangerous. Seek medical help immediately, especially if you are experiencing seizures, hallucinations, confusion or a rapid heartbeat.
While medications can help manage symptoms, they do not necessarily shorten the overall detox period.
Therapy helps address underlying triggers, develop coping strategies and support long-term sobriety.
Women often report more severe withdrawal symptoms and greater psychological distress (e.g., anxiety and irritability), than men. Men, on the other hand, have a higher risk of developing physical symptoms like seizures and DTs during alcohol withdrawal.
Whether you’re researching for yourself or a loved one, Beach House can help. We understand that this is a serious time in your life and that the treatment center you choose matters. We want you to feel comfortable and empowered to make the right decision for yourself, a friend, or a family member. This is why a counselor is waiting and available to answer your questions and help put your mind at ease regarding the next steps. Many of the staff at Beach House have walked in your shoes. If you feel you’re ready or want more information about how to help a loved one, we can help today. You can also learn why we are voted the #1 rehab for addiction treatment in Florida.
