Alcohol Withdrawal: Symptoms, Treatment & Timeline

Reduced Heart Disease Risk

You can choose to use these along with therapy and support groups to help you maintain your sobriety. Because the body usually works to maintain balance, it will signal the brain to make more neurotransmitter receptors that excite or stimulate the central Alcohol Detox nervous system. If you don’t already have a supportive network, you can make new connections by joining social media communities dedicated to alcohol-free living. If you decide to get treatment, your doctor can recommend the type of care that you need.

As a depressant, alcohol can suppress the central nervous system (CNS), making the body reliant on it with prolonged exposure.

Quitting alcohol won’t just protect your physical health—it can also improve your mental well-being.

For light or moderate drinking, you might experience a more temporary, mild effect on mood.

It can be helpful to write down your reasons for quitting and the difficulty of withdrawal while it is fresh in your mind.

Inpatient Treatment

For most people, alcohol withdrawal symptoms will begin sometime in the first eight hours after their final drink. The first day is always the hardest, but it’s also an important milestone. After 24 hours without alcohol, your body will start to detoxify and you may experience withdrawal symptoms. One important thing to do when addressing alcohol withdrawal is to distance yourself from enablers and any drinking advocates that are in your life. They often will minimize your addiction by telling you it’s not that big of a deal. People can partake in some natural remedies and activities to keep their minds occupied and help pass the time as withdrawal symptoms fade.

Treatment options for alcohol withdrawal

Unfortunately, while alcohol may make it seem like you are falling asleep quicker, it can also lead to worse sleep quality.

Stopping drinking abruptly can lead to seizures and can even be fatal.

When a person is detoxing from alcohol, the symptoms may begin anywhere from 6 hours to a few days after their last drink.

While you may not feel like exercising during withdrawal, a small amount of exercise is a great tool for coping with alcohol withdrawal.

As alcohol is broken down and metabolized by your body, toxins get released. Some will eventually get broken down into less harmful compounds, but your body’s ability to process these substances is limited. By Buddy TBuddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website. If left untreated, withdrawal can progress to complicated alcohol withdrawal. Maybe you’ve never been interested in logging your innermost thoughts, but journaling can be a great tool to track your feelings as you work on quitting alcohol.

If you take prescription medication, continue to take it as directed. If you have alcohol use disorder and want help, a healthcare provider can guide you to resources and rehabilitation programs to help you quit. Know that your provider will be there to support you, not to judge you. The main ways to prevent alcohol withdrawal are to avoid alcohol altogether or to get professional help as soon as possible if you think you’re developing alcohol use disorder. Alcohol withdrawal can range from very mild symptoms to a severe form, known as delirium tremens.