Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms, Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawals, Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms occur if you suddenly stop drinking alcohol after you’ve been drinking it excessively and daily for a long period of time. Excessive as in a couple of six packs or 4 oz. of hard liquor.
The heavier you drink, the more likely you’ll develop alcohol dependence withdrawal symptoms when you stop. An occasional short term binge likely won’t do it, unless you’ve been through withdrawals before.
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal usually hit within the first 12 hours after your last drink. However, they could activate a strike up to a week later.
The nature of your withdrawals from alcohol can range from mildly uncomfortable to seriously life threatening. Normally symptoms peak within the first week. But they can persist longer.
The psychological and physical symptoms you can expect to experience during a withdrawal from your alcohol boozing behavior include:
- pallor
- fatigue
- anxiety
- irritability
- sweating
- Insomnia
- headache
- jumpiness
- shakiness
- depression
- bad dreams
- hand tremor
- nervousness
- clammy skin
- dilated pupils
- easily excited
- rapid heart rate
- loss of appetite
- unclear thinking
- nausea & vomiting
- emotional changes
- involuntary, abnormal eyelid movement
Some of these alcohol withdrawals sound a bit like a nasty hang over.
For the severe withdrawals, you can expect to go through:
The likelihood of developing severe withdrawal symptoms increases if you have other medical conditions, such as
Planning your alcohol withdrawal with medical supervision is prudent. Also, the more times you go through this type of withdrawal, the worse it can get.
The primary alcohol withdrawal treatment goals are to treat your withdrawal symptoms and prevent complications. Sedatives may be required to depress you central nervous system until your body completes its withdrawal.
A doctor can keep track of withdrawal symptoms so that more serious health problems don’t develop. Medically supervised withdrawal will monitor stuff like your:
- heart rate
- breathing
- blood pressure
- body temperature
- electrolyte balance
- fluid intake to prevent dehydration
Your symptoms can go sideways and become life threatening very quickly. However, if you take medication during the early stage of your alcohol withdrawal, they might keep your symptoms from getting worse.
You may also need treatment for alcohol associated conditions, like:
- malnutrition
- alcoholic neuropathy
- alcoholic liver disease
- blood clotting disorders
- heart disorders ~ alcoholic cardiomyopathy
- chronic brain syndromes ~ Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Symptoms such as sleep changes, mood changes and fatigue may last up to a year after your drying out.
Once you’ve accomplished this alcohol feat of withdrawals you might consider making your primary diet choices from the produce section rather than the liquor aisle.
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Other Info on Alcohol Withdrawal:
- Alcohol Withdrawal Pocketcard
- On the Rocks: Teens And Alcohol
- Overcoming Your Alcohol, Drug & Recovery Habits
- The Alcohol Blackout: Walking, Talking, Unconscious & Lethal
- For Teenagers Living With a Parent Who Abuses Alcohol/Drugs
- Educating Yourself About Alcohol And Drugs: A People’s Primer
- Overcoming Your Alcohol or Drug Problem: Effective Recovery Strategies Therapist Guide
- Talking with College Students about Alcohol: Motivational Strategies for Reducing Abuse
- I’ve Got This Friend Who: Advice for Teens and Their Friends on Alcohol, Drugs, Eating Disorders, Risky Behavior and More



