What Helps With Alcohol Withdrawal?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAlcohol Withdrawal SymptomsWhat HelpsTreatmentsDetoxFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

What Helps

Treatments

Detox

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have wanted toquit drinking alcoholbut were hesitant to do so because you feared that the withdrawal symptoms would be too severe, you are not alone. Many people are afraid that if they quit drinking, withdrawal symptoms could be difficult to manage, or even dangerous. Knowing what helps with alcohol withdrawal can make the experience less uncomfortable and risky.

You may have tried to quit drinking alcohol and discovered that the symptoms you experienced were more severe than you anticipated. Maybe you decided to go back to drinking just to relieve those symptoms.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are the primary reason that many people relapse when they attempt to quit.

This article discusses some of the common withdrawal symptoms and whathelps with alcohol withdrawal. It also covers some of the different treatment options that are available.

Symptom Stages for Alcohol Withdrawal

Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

There are a number ofcommon alcohol withdrawal symptoms, but not everyone will experience these symptoms. They can range from mild to severe and are usually proportionate to the amount of alcohol you usually consumed and how long you’ve been drinking.

Psychological symptoms can include:

Physical symptoms can include:

RecapAlcohol withdrawal can produce both physical and psychological symptoms. These can range from mild to moderate to severe. The severity of the symptoms you will experience often depends on the amount and duration of your alcohol consumption.

Recap

Alcohol withdrawal can produce both physical and psychological symptoms. These can range from mild to moderate to severe. The severity of the symptoms you will experience often depends on the amount and duration of your alcohol consumption.

What Can Help With Alcohol Withdrawal

Make no mistake about it,alcohol withdrawalsymptoms can be severe, and in some cases fatal.If you are a daily drinker, a heavy drinker, or a frequent binge drinker, suddenly quitting will likely produce a wide range of uncomfortable symptoms.

If you are a heavy or chronic drinker, it is important to get professional help tostop drinking. Your detox should be medically supervised in order to help minimize severe symptoms. Treatments can greatly reduce or eliminate most of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

There are also strategies that you can use to help manage symptoms of withdrawal if you are detoxing at home or going through treatment. Explore some of the following to learn more about what helps with alcohol withdrawal:

Also, be sure to get help if serious symptoms appear. If you are experiencing symptoms ofdelirium tremens (DT), contact emergency services immediately. Symptoms of DT include confusion, changes in blood pressure, excessive sweating, fever, hallucinations, and seizures. Delirium tremens is serious and can be fatal.

RecapIf your alcohol use has been heavy and chronic, talk to a doctor about medically supervised detox. This can ensure you are able to withdraw safely. If you detox at home, talk to a healthcare provider about medications that may help and use self-care strategies to make it easier to cope with uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

If your alcohol use has been heavy and chronic, talk to a doctor about medically supervised detox. This can ensure you are able to withdraw safely. If you detox at home, talk to a healthcare provider about medications that may help and use self-care strategies to make it easier to cope with uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

Alcohol Withdrawal From Day 1 to Day 30

Treatments That Help With Alcohol Withdrawal

The best way to quit alcohol while avoiding unpleasant withdrawal symptoms is to ask for help. If you have decided that it is in your best interest to stop drinking, one option is to seek help from a family doctor or primary healthcare provider.

How to Stop Alcohol WithdrawalsThere arespecific medical treatmentsthat will stop or reduce most of the symptoms you could experience if you quit cold turkey.

How to Stop Alcohol Withdrawals

There arespecific medical treatmentsthat will stop or reduce most of the symptoms you could experience if you quit cold turkey.

Benzodiazepines (tranquilizers) are the main treatment for symptoms of withdrawal, like the shakes, and are also key to preventing serious complications such as delirium tremens (DTs).

A healthcare provider may also suggest vitamins and dietary changes help with your withdrawal symptoms.People who consume large amounts of alcohol may bemore prone to certain nutritional deficiencies, including B vitamins. Your doctor may recommend taking supplements to address these deficiencies.

Eating a healthy diet while you are going through withdrawal may also help aid in digestion and energy levels. This may be helpful for combating withdrawal symptoms such as stomach upset and feelings of fatigue.

Detox Programs That Help With Alcohol Withdrawal

Another alternative, especially if you have experienced severe withdrawal in the past, is to check yourself into a professional detoxification facility. Detox programs involve short-term (usually less than seven days) inpatient treatment during which specially trained professionals monitor your withdrawal closely and administer medications as needed.

One advantage of in-patient detox is that you will be away from your usual drinking triggers and therefore be less likely to pick up a drink to stop symptoms when they begin. You do not have to have reached a crisis point to check into detox. People voluntarily check in every day.

RecapEffective treatments and detox programs are available. These treatments can help ensure that you are able to detox safely and minimize the withdrawal symptoms that you will experience.

Effective treatments and detox programs are available. These treatments can help ensure that you are able to detox safely and minimize the withdrawal symptoms that you will experience.

Summary

If youneed to quit drinking, don’t let alcohol withdrawal scare you off. There are medications and treatments available that can help you get through those first early days of no alcohol consumption. You don’t have to do it on your own.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Frequently Asked QuestionsBenzodiazepines, which are also often used to treat anxiety, may be prescribed to help with symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. These medications depress the central nervous system and put people in a more relaxed state. They can be helpful for relieving symptoms such as irritability, nausea, vomiting, headaches, anxiety, and pain.Learn More:What Are Benzodiazepines?Vitamin supplements, particularly B vitamins such as thiamine) can be helpful for relieving some of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Other supplements that your healthcare provider may recommend include vitamin C, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids. Always talk to your doctor about any supplements you are taking and never take more than the recommended dose.

Benzodiazepines, which are also often used to treat anxiety, may be prescribed to help with symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. These medications depress the central nervous system and put people in a more relaxed state. They can be helpful for relieving symptoms such as irritability, nausea, vomiting, headaches, anxiety, and pain.Learn More:What Are Benzodiazepines?

Benzodiazepines, which are also often used to treat anxiety, may be prescribed to help with symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. These medications depress the central nervous system and put people in a more relaxed state. They can be helpful for relieving symptoms such as irritability, nausea, vomiting, headaches, anxiety, and pain.

Learn More:What Are Benzodiazepines?

Vitamin supplements, particularly B vitamins such as thiamine) can be helpful for relieving some of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Other supplements that your healthcare provider may recommend include vitamin C, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids. Always talk to your doctor about any supplements you are taking and never take more than the recommended dose.

6 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Attilia F, Perciballi R, Rotondo C, et al.Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: Diagnostic and therapeutic methods.Riv Psichiatr. 2018;53(3):118-122. doi:10.1708/2925.29413Wang D, Wang Y, Wang Y, Li R, Zhou C.Impact of physical exercise on substance use disorders: a meta-analysis.PLoS One. 2014;9(10):e110728. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0110728Grover S, Ghosh A.Delirium tremens: Assessment and management.J Clin Exp Hepatol. 2018;8(4):460-470. doi:10.1016/j.jceh.2018.04.012Sachdeva A, Choudhary M, Chandra M.Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: Benzodiazepines and beyond.J Clin Diagn Res. 2015;9(9):VE01-VE07. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2015/13407.6538Kattimani S, Bharadwaj B.Clinical management of alcohol withdrawal: A systematic review.Ind Psychiatry J. 2013;22(2):100-8. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.132914Soravia L, Allemann P.[Benefits of specialized centers for the treatment of addictive disorders].Ther Umsch. 2014;71(10):622-5. doi:10.1024/0040-5930/a000602Additional ReadingU.S. National Library of Medicine.Alcohol withdrawal.

6 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Attilia F, Perciballi R, Rotondo C, et al.Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: Diagnostic and therapeutic methods.Riv Psichiatr. 2018;53(3):118-122. doi:10.1708/2925.29413Wang D, Wang Y, Wang Y, Li R, Zhou C.Impact of physical exercise on substance use disorders: a meta-analysis.PLoS One. 2014;9(10):e110728. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0110728Grover S, Ghosh A.Delirium tremens: Assessment and management.J Clin Exp Hepatol. 2018;8(4):460-470. doi:10.1016/j.jceh.2018.04.012Sachdeva A, Choudhary M, Chandra M.Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: Benzodiazepines and beyond.J Clin Diagn Res. 2015;9(9):VE01-VE07. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2015/13407.6538Kattimani S, Bharadwaj B.Clinical management of alcohol withdrawal: A systematic review.Ind Psychiatry J. 2013;22(2):100-8. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.132914Soravia L, Allemann P.[Benefits of specialized centers for the treatment of addictive disorders].Ther Umsch. 2014;71(10):622-5. doi:10.1024/0040-5930/a000602Additional ReadingU.S. National Library of Medicine.Alcohol withdrawal.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Attilia F, Perciballi R, Rotondo C, et al.Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: Diagnostic and therapeutic methods.Riv Psichiatr. 2018;53(3):118-122. doi:10.1708/2925.29413Wang D, Wang Y, Wang Y, Li R, Zhou C.Impact of physical exercise on substance use disorders: a meta-analysis.PLoS One. 2014;9(10):e110728. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0110728Grover S, Ghosh A.Delirium tremens: Assessment and management.J Clin Exp Hepatol. 2018;8(4):460-470. doi:10.1016/j.jceh.2018.04.012Sachdeva A, Choudhary M, Chandra M.Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: Benzodiazepines and beyond.J Clin Diagn Res. 2015;9(9):VE01-VE07. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2015/13407.6538Kattimani S, Bharadwaj B.Clinical management of alcohol withdrawal: A systematic review.Ind Psychiatry J. 2013;22(2):100-8. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.132914Soravia L, Allemann P.[Benefits of specialized centers for the treatment of addictive disorders].Ther Umsch. 2014;71(10):622-5. doi:10.1024/0040-5930/a000602

Attilia F, Perciballi R, Rotondo C, et al.Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: Diagnostic and therapeutic methods.Riv Psichiatr. 2018;53(3):118-122. doi:10.1708/2925.29413

Wang D, Wang Y, Wang Y, Li R, Zhou C.Impact of physical exercise on substance use disorders: a meta-analysis.PLoS One. 2014;9(10):e110728. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0110728

Grover S, Ghosh A.Delirium tremens: Assessment and management.J Clin Exp Hepatol. 2018;8(4):460-470. doi:10.1016/j.jceh.2018.04.012

Sachdeva A, Choudhary M, Chandra M.Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: Benzodiazepines and beyond.J Clin Diagn Res. 2015;9(9):VE01-VE07. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2015/13407.6538

Kattimani S, Bharadwaj B.Clinical management of alcohol withdrawal: A systematic review.Ind Psychiatry J. 2013;22(2):100-8. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.132914

Soravia L, Allemann P.[Benefits of specialized centers for the treatment of addictive disorders].Ther Umsch. 2014;71(10):622-5. doi:10.1024/0040-5930/a000602

U.S. National Library of Medicine.Alcohol withdrawal.

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