Alcohol Withdrawals: How Dangerous Are They

Do you ever experience shaky hands after you go a few days without drinking alcohol? Maybe a pounding headache or a lingering nausea. What you’re experiencing are alcohol withdrawal symptoms. They can range from harmless and unpleasant to dangerous and incredibly painful, highlighting the importance of early reaction. Alcohol withdrawal can be frustrating and even confusing. You might wonder why you’re in so much pain, and why it’s so hard to get out of the cycle of alcohol use and withdrawal. We hear those questions all the time at Altruism Counseling and are glad we can provide answers. That’s why today we’ll talk about alcohol withdrawals, how to manage them, and more.

What Is Alcohol Withdrawal?

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a group of symptoms you experience after chronic alcohol use when you stop drinking suddenly. It is a regular occurrence in the detoxification stage of any Kentucky rehab for alcoholism. Withdrawal symptoms happen because your body has developed a “dependence” on alcohol, which occurs when alcohol is regularly present in the system. When it’s no longer present, your body has to adjust to it not being there, leading to side effects.

Experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms is very common. If you have an alcohol use disorder (AUD), chances are you’ve experienced it at least once. You’re not alone – 9% of people in Kentucky had an alcohol use disorder in 2022.

Diagnosing Alcohol Withdrawal

The official term for alcohol withdrawal is “alcohol withdrawal syndrome,” and it requires a clinical diagnosis. This means the medical professional evaluating you will look at your drinking history and physical symptoms. They have an official tool to help diagnose you called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

The DSM-5 includes several symptoms and criteria of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). If someone experiences two or more of the alcohol withdrawal symptoms within a few hours or days of ceasing drinking, they’re likely to fall under the criteria for AWS.

Keep in mind that it’s important to see a medical professional before assuming a diagnosis. Alcohol withdrawal is different for every person, and professional psychosocial assessments can help identify even symptoms that aren’t listed in the DSM-5.

Spotting the Common Signs of Alcohol Withdrawal

While signs of alcoholism are fairly easily spotted, symptoms of withdrawal can be overlooked, as many of them are flu-like. The list used by the DSM-5 includes many of the common side effects of withdrawal, such as:

• Sweating or a fast pulse
• Tremors
• Insomnia
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hallucinations
• Compulsive acts or motions (psychomotor agitation)
• Anxiety

There are signs of withdrawal outside of this list, also. No two people will experience the same combination and severity of side effects. To help you better spot withdrawal, here are some additional symptoms.

• Headaches
• Stomach aches
• Fatigue
• Mood swings
• High blood pressure and body temperature
• Rapid breathing
• Vivid dreams
• Alcohol cravings

Low electrolytes due to dehydration are a possibility during alcohol withdrawal, and this can cause heart problems. Withdrawal can cause some vitamin deficiencies, too. Thankfully, both of these can usually be corrected with sufficient fluids and nutrient-rich foods.

Mild vs. Severe Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms exist on a spectrum and can vary significantly. While some are only uncomfortable, others can be life-threatening. What you’ll experience depends on how long and how heavily you’ve been drinking. Knowing the difference between mild, moderate, and severe symptoms can help you understand when medical supervision is necessary.

• Mild symptoms: These symptoms are typically the first ones to appear. They can include physical symptoms like sweating, headaches, and nausea, but also some mental struggles, including anxiety and insomnia. While usually just uncomfortable rather than dangerous, they are an early warning sign that your body is struggling to adjust to the lack of alcohol.
• Moderate symptoms: If symptoms escalate, you can experience a rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, and even visual or auditory hallucinations. Mild withdrawal symptoms imply a risk increase, and, at this stage, professional monitoring is strongly advised to prevent or react in case of complications.
• Severe symptoms: This is the most dangerous group of withdrawal signs, as it includes seizures and delirium tremens (DTs). These symptoms are accompanied by intense confusion and agitation, highlighting the link between alcohol and anger. Changes in heart rate and blood pressure are sometimes life-threatening and require immediate medical care.

Identifying where a person falls on this spectrum of withdrawal symptoms matters. Prolonged alcohol use can have serious consequences, and it is important to recognize when withdrawal becomes too risky for you to handle on your own.

A Timeline of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

How long do alcohol withdrawal symptoms last, and when do alcohol withdrawal symptoms start,
are some of the main concerns of those who have to face alcohol withdrawal. Just like the withdrawal symptoms are different from person to person, the timeline of withdrawal symptoms is too. Generally, though, the chart below can give you an idea of what to expect.

• 6-12 hours after the last drink: Mild symptoms like nausea, headache, upset stomach, shaky hands, and anxiety might start
• Within the first 24 hours: Some people might start to experience hallucinations
• Within 48 hours: Symptoms are usually at their worst. Delirium tremens and seizures are most likely to appear at this time
• 48-72 hours: Mild symptoms will probably start to taper off
• Longer-lasting symptoms: Some people might experience long-term fatigue, sleep problems, and mood complications

If you’re managing alcohol withdrawal right now, the prospect of withdrawal lasting beyond a few days is probably scary. Rest assured that it’s rare, especially with treatment and medical detox.

How Long Do Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Last?

How long do alcohol withdrawal symptoms last? It is not an easy-to-answer question. Many individual differences can impact the timeline and contribute to the duration of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Both personal and biological factors shape how your body responds to alcohol and deals with withdrawal.

Here are several factors that can significantly change bodily response:

• Metabolism: Those with slower metabolic rates typically process alcohol more gradually. This can extend both intoxication and withdrawal. For example, suppose you have a damaged liver and, therefore, slower metabolic liver functions. In that case, you may experience longer and more intense withdrawal compared to those who do not have this sort of problem.
• Age and gender: Older adults may take longer to recover, as metabolic rates go down over time. Women, additionally, usually have more body fat and different enzyme activity than men, once again, impacting metabolic rates. In conclusion, female gender and age are risk factors for longer withdrawal.
• The severity and length of drinking history: Heavy and long alcohol consumption typically results in longer withdrawal and recovery processes.
• Co-occurring mental health conditions: Struggling with anxiety and depression, for instance, can intensify and prolong withdrawal symptoms.

As an additional factor, we can mention the history of withdrawals. If you have repeated experience of intoxication and withdrawal, not only do you increase the risk of alcohol poisoning, but also the withdrawal process tends to become more severe and increasingly more difficult to overcome alone.

Causes of Alcohol Withdrawal

Despite the physical symptoms, alcohol withdrawal starts in your brain. Alcohol is a depressant, meaning it slows down your central nervous system. It increases a neurotransmitter that calms you down (GABA). At the same time, it limits the production of a neurotransmitter called glutamate, which makes you excited. If you drink repeatedly, your brain gets used to having more calming feelings and less excitement.

Our brain thrives on equilibrium. When alcohol is regularly present, it impacts these chemicals in our body, and our brains will work to balance this out. It’s also responsible for withdrawal because when alcohol isn’t in your system, the neurotransmitters don’t readjust.

You might notice withdrawal symptoms feel like the opposite of how you feel while intoxicated. That’s due to the unbalanced neurotransmitters. You’re stuck with excessive glutamate and less GABA, which causes your symptoms.

The good news is that the brain possesses a remarkable ability to heal and find balance again in time. That’s the hard part, though: it takes time, and it can be difficult to avoid alcohol and give your brain the space it needs, especially without help.

Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment, Coping & Prevention

The only real way to stop alcohol withdrawal symptoms is to not return to drinking. There’s no easy solution. Your brain needs that time to adjust to your unbalanced neurotransmitters and heal again. If you don’t do this, you can get stuck in a cycle of drinking, experiencing withdrawal, and drinking again to make those symptoms go away.

While some people can stop drinking by themselves, plenty of people need additional help, which is why they turn to Altruism Counseling. At Lexington Addiction Center, we are dedicated to helping those struggling with substance abuse, not just to address their alcohol withdrawal symptoms but also the underlying causes that have led them to maladaptive behavior.

Rehab for alcoholism (alcohol use disorder) is life-changing and usually starts with medical detox. There, you’ll be monitored by medical professionals as you go through the withdrawal process. They’ll ensure you’re safe and provide additional support along the way to make the withdrawal more tolerable.

As an additional step, you might attend a residential program, where you stay in a facility long-term, focusing fully on recovery by going through a variety of intensive therapies. It’s also possible that an outpatient program, which requires less of a time commitment, might suit you better. All programs come with their benefits. It just depends on your unique situation.

Support in a recovery process is irreplaceable, and programs like 12 step program for addiction can be of great help. You can get inspiration and encouragement while taking accountability and working on staying sober. Those who´ve been in your shoes can often understand you better than anyone else.

It’s also possible that you aren’t ready for treatment. Maybe you’re just looking for ways to make alcohol withdrawal easier right now. For as much as we recommend treatment, we understand that, too. If you need to manage withdrawal at home for now, make sure you’re eating nutritious food, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of sleep.

Continue taking any medications you’re prescribed, and spend time around people who support you and don’t tempt you to drink more. Keep your environment alcohol-free, try to reduce stress as much as possible, and find healthy distractions and coping mechanisms to take your mind off of withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

Get Help for Alcohol Withdrawals in Lexington, KY Today

Quitting alcohol and facing alcohol withdrawal symptoms is challenging. Still, you do not have to go through this experience alone. Turning to others for help increases your chances of recovery. When support for loved ones is insufficient, turn to professionals. We at Altruism Counseling can help you face your substance use disorder and set solid ground for long-term well-being.