What Happens When You Stop Drinking Alcohol?

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. If you drink only once in a while, it’s unlikely that you’ll have withdrawal symptoms when you stop. But if you’ve gone through alcohol withdrawal once, you’re more likely to go through it again the next time you call it quits. If you drink alcohol heavily for weeks, months, or years, you may have both mental and physical problems when you stop or seriously cut back on how much you drink.

Other Benefits When You Stop Drinking

Your detox center’s initial assessment may even include a nutritional evaluation. Depending on the results, your doctor may recommend vitamins or other supplements for the first 3-5 days of detox8 to address those deficiencies. If you’re otherwise healthy and can stop drinking and get treatment, the alcohol detox side effects outlook is usually good. However, sleep disturbances, irritability, and fatigue may continue for months. If your home environment is not supportive for staying sober, talk with your doctor. Your doctor may be able to connect you with shelter programs for people recovering from alcohol addiction.

Symptoms Of Alcohol Detox

Unstable vital signs increase the risk of complications and can be managed with medications. People who experience severe withdrawal symptoms or DTs may require hospitalization or intensive care unit (ICU) treatment during alcohol. Patients with mild withdrawal symptoms (i.e., CIWA–Ar scores of 8 or less) and no increased risk for seizures can be managed without specific pharmacotherapy https://ecosoberhouse.com/ (Mayo-Smith 1997; Saitz and O’Malley 1997). Successful nonpharmacological treatments include frequent reassurance and monitoring by treatment staff in a quiet, calm environment. Most patients with mild withdrawal symptoms, whether they are treated or not, do not develop complications. Although uncommon, the most serious effect from alcohol withdrawal is delirium tremens.

When To Seek Help for Alcohol Addiction

While not everyone who quits drinking will experience withdrawal, you are more likely to have symptoms if you have been drinking for a long time, if you drink heavily, and/or if you drink frequently. There are many resources available for anyone who is ready to stop drinking for good, or who wants to reduce the harm alcohol is causing in their life by cutting down. As you continue to commit to long-term recovery, support group meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or online support communities might be helpful. A healthcare provider may request daily visits during which they will likely run blood tests and monitor vital signs until symptoms stabilize. It’s typical for withdrawal symptoms to begin within hours to a day or two after you have your last drink.

Alcohol Detox Timeline Summary

When you first stop drinking, your body will begin to detoxify itself. This can lead to withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, tremors, sweating, and nausea. In general, the course of alcohol withdrawal is highly variable and somewhat unpredictable.

What are moderate to severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms?

If you do not have insurance, your doctor can help put you in touch with a facility or treatment program that offers financial aid, financing, or a sliding scale payment system, in which you pay what you can. When someone regularly consumes large amounts of alcohol, their brain and body chemistry become irritated. This includes neurotransmitters and the central nervous system (CNS). You may also have access to a therapist to talk through your feelings6 and cravings during this vulnerable time.

• It’s based on several factors, including how long, how much, and how regularly you have been drinking alcohol.
• Research shows that most people believe that drinking can make them feel better.
• It’s common for people recovering from alcohol addiction to still experience withdrawal symptoms during rehab or even long after.
• Steatotic liver disease develops in about 90% of people who drink more than 1.5 to 2 ounces of alcohol per day.

Risk of permanent vision loss

So when you stay away from alcohol, the number on your scale may well start moving down. We’ll be able to tell you if your insurance provider is in network with an American Addiction Centers treatment facility. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information.