Alcohol withdrawal: symptoms, risks and when to get help

Common withdrawal symptoms

Symptoms usually begin within 6 to 24 hours of the last drink:

• Shaking hands
• Sweating and a fast heartbeat
• Anxiety and restlessness
• Nausea and poor sleep

Serious complications

Some people develop seizures, or a severe state called delirium tremens, usually two to three days after stopping. It causes confusion, seeing things that are not there and a very fast heartbeat, and it needs emergency treatment. People who have had withdrawal seizures before, or who drink very heavily, are at higher risk.

Why quick detox videos can mislead

Social media often shows detox as something that is over in a day. In reality, withdrawal needs to be assessed and monitored, and stopping is only the first step. Staying stopped is where most of the work happens.

How supervised detox works

A psychiatrist assesses how much you drink, your health and your risk, then plans either supervised outpatient detox or admission. Medicines are used for a short time to keep withdrawal safe, along with vitamins and checks on liver health. After detox, treatment focuses on preventing relapse, with counselling, support and sometimes medicines that reduce craving.

Common questions

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