Most people would agree that on occasion, consumption of alcohol in moderation is fine and may actually yield some health benefits. However, when consumption of alcohol becomes chronic and spirals out of control, it can really take a toll on both physical and mental health. Alcohol itself works by increasing the effects of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Increases in GABA activity are linked to relaxation and depression of the nervous system.
Alcohol also decreases glutamate, which is an excitatory neurotransmitter – this causes our functioning to further slow while under the influence. To a certain extent, alcohol also can increase levels of dopamine – a neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of pleasure and reward. A majority of people can have a good time drinking on occasion with friends and/or family. However, some people become addicted to the psychological response that occurs when they drink.
Individuals who drink often may put themselves at risk for health problems as well as other risky situations such as drunk driving. People who drink often and utilize alcohol to the point that it negatively affects family functioning, work-related tasks, and/or their personal life are said to suffer from alcohol “abuse.” On the other hand, people who struggle with “alcoholism” are said to be physically dependent on it to the point that it is considered a chronic disease. Once an individual with alcoholism begins drinking, they are not able to stop.
The problem for most heavy drinkers is that when they try to kick their drinking habit, they experience an array of uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can be very severe and in some cases, downright dangerous. If you are going through withdrawal from alcohol or are considering it, be sure to know how to properly taper as well as the possible symptoms that you may experience.
Factors that influence Alcohol withdrawal
There are many factors that will influence the difficulty of alcohol withdrawal as well as how long it lasts. Various factors that play an important role in withdrawal include: the time span over which you used alcohol, amount you typically consume, tolerance, whether you have an addiction, how quickly you withdraw, as well as other individual factors.
1. Time Span
Over how many years did you drink? Someone who has been drinking consistently every day for 10 years is likely going to have a much tougher time kicking the habit than a college kid who drank heavily for 1 year. In general, the longer and more consistently you have been drinking, the greater your tolerance is likely to be.
Additionally when you drink every day for years, it becomes ingrained almost as an innate habit that is even tougher to drop as alcohol has become part of your physiology. It is easier for your body to get used to functioning without alcohol when you only used it for a short period of time.
Long term users must gradually wean themselves down in quantity so that their body and brain can adapt to functioning with less alcohol until they have finally become sober.
2. Amount consumed / Tolerance
How much alcohol do you consume? Those who have been binge drinking daily for a year may have a very difficult time kicking the habit if they have a high tolerance. The amount of alcohol that you consume on a consistent basis will have great influence on your level of tolerance.
Obviously someone who doesn’t drink much will have a low tolerance, whereas someone who consistently consumes large quantities is likely to have a large tolerance. Individuals with higher tolerances are likely to experience more severe withdrawal symptoms when they quit.
3. Addiction / Dependency
Are you addicted to drinking alcohol? In some cases people become addicted to alcohol because it makes them feel good, takes away anxiety, lowers stress, and allows them to feel more carefree. Many people who become addicted drink so much that they develop a dependency on the alcohol for everyday functioning.
If you are addicted, withdrawal may be extremely difficult because you may constantly crave the alcohol and/or emotional component of relaxation that drinking provides. If you consider yourself an alcoholic or suffer from alcohol addiction, you may want to seek help from an addiction specialist and/or psychotherapist. Without proper help you may not make it successfully through withdrawal.
4. Cold Turkey vs. Tapering
If you have been using alcohol heavily, it is never recommended to simply quit “cold turkey.” Quitting cold turkey is widely regarded as a dangerous move for the simple fact that it can trigger seizures and other dangerous side effects. In order to avoid seizures and minimize withdrawal symptoms, it is important to gradually taper off of alcohol. Those who quit cold turkey or taper too quickly will likely experience significantly more severe withdrawal symptoms.
In order to successfully taper off of alcohol, it is best to come up with some sort of tapering protocol based on how much you currently drink (e.g. your tolerance). On average it is recommended to reduce your alcohol consumption by about 2 drinks per day until you are down to zero. So if you start at 30 drinks a day, cut down to 28 drinks your second day, 26 your third day, etc. – until you have reached zero.
Although you may be highly motivated to kick your drinking habit and function sober, it is recommended to avoid trying to taper too quickly. If you have been drinking consistently, you should not be making drastic cuts in the amount of alcohol you drink daily. People who drop from 25 drinks per day to 10 drinks then 0 drinks are going to likely end up with very debilitating withdrawal symptoms – some of which may be dangerous.
If you haven’t been drinking a lot and have only been drinking for short periods of time, you may be able to get away with a cold turkey withdrawal. With that said, you should know whether you have been drinking lightly enough to warrant a cold turkey withdrawal. If at any time you feel as though you are tapering too quickly, make adjustments and slow down the amount you cut and/or how quickly you do it.
5. Individual Factors
Individual factors play an important role in determining how successful someone is with their withdrawal as well as how a person copes with symptoms. Having healthy habits, good social support, and a productive environment can go a long way in helping a person make it through withdrawal. Without adequate support and proper environment, withdrawal symptoms can be more distracting and tougher to deal with.
- Physiology: Everyone is unique and will react differently to the process of withdrawal. Some people are more psychologically resilient and less sensitive to withdrawals than others. Your nervous system and the way your individual body responds to the withdrawal may be different than that of someone else.
- Habits: Do you have supportive habits to help you through withdrawal? Or do you have other addictions and bad habits that are tough to break. Individuals that are caught up in a string of bad habits may have a tough time quitting alcohol and dealing with symptoms. For example, someone who has healthy dietary, exercise, and sleep habits may experience quicker recovery than others.
- Environment: Your environment can play a role in determining the difficulty of withdrawal. If you live in a safe, positive environment, it is thought that withdrawal will be easier to handle. People that live in a rougher environment are going to likely face greater difficulty in withdrawal. If lots of other people around you in your environment drink, it may be tougher to quit and you may get less support.
- Social Support: Do you have good social support? People with a more supportive social network may have an easier time getting through difficult withdrawal symptoms. If you have someone around to talk to who will support you when you are experiencing difficult withdrawal effects, it may help you with coping as opposed to someone without good social support.
- Other drugs: Are you using any other drugs? In some cases other drugs may make the withdrawal process easier. If you are working with your doctor and have been prescribed medications to help ease the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, they may actually help. On the other hand, if you are using illicit drugs to deal with alcohol withdrawal, you are essentially just shifting the addiction to a new substance.
- Personality: Do you have a naturally addictive personality? People who have addictive personalities may have a tougher time making it through alcohol withdrawal. Individuals who have more carefree non-addictive personalities will likely have an easier time making it through withdrawal.
- Coping mechanism: Many people use alcohol as a coping mechanism for stressors and/or to deal with life. People that are using alcohol to make it through a rough time in life may have a tougher time quitting because they are essentially using it as a drug to mask a deeper underlying issue. If you are using it as a crutch or coping mechanism, it is advised to seek some sort of therapy to help address other problems.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms: List of Possibilities
Below is a list of possible symptoms that you may experience upon withdrawing from alcohol. Understand that you may not experience every symptom listed below and the severity of these symptoms is largely based on individual circumstances. One person may experience nearly every symptom listed below, while another may have a relatively mild withdrawal and only have to deal with a few symptoms.
- Agitation: Many people feel agitated during the first few weeks of withdrawal. The agitation may last much longer than a few weeks in some cases. Do your best to manage this feeling by getting some light exercise and/or practicing relaxation exercises.
- Anger: Many individuals experience anger to the point of rage during withdrawal from alcohol. This anger is typically a result of our inability to relax and in part due to the fact that the brain is sensitive during withdrawal. Neurotransmitter levels have not recovered to baseline and this may make you more prone to anger outbursts.
- Anxiety: The amount of anxiety people experience from alcohol withdrawal can be extreme. This may be due to changes in neurotransmitter levels (specifically GABA) as a result of extensive alcohol use. Additionally consistent alcohol abuse can diminish our natural ability to relax because the brain has become reliant on the alcohol to induce relaxation. Over time, your brain and nervous system will recover, but be prepared to deal with some anxiety during withdrawal.
- Appetite loss: A large percentage of people will notice that their appetite changes during alcohol withdrawal. If you notice that you are lacking appetite, understand that it’s merely a withdrawal symptom. Over time as your body resets itself, your appetite should come back.
- Blood pressure increases: In some cases people experience hypertension (high blood pressure) when they stop consuming alcohol. If you know that your blood pressure could be problematic, consult a doctor and discuss what can be done to manage this symptom. They may suggest taking something like Clonidine – which can help control blood pressure and may take an edge off of other symptoms.
- Confusion: You may experience severe confusion when you initially stop drinking alcohol. This confusion is in part due to neurotransmitter changes, but also due to the array of other psychological symptoms such as poor concentration and memory functioning during withdrawal.
- Concentration problems: It is very common to experience foggy thinking and lack of concentration when you withdraw from alcohol. It may seem impossible to focus on schoolwork and/or job-related tasks. Do your best to tough out the lack of concentration and do what you can to get through each day. The brain will eventually recover and you’ll be able to concentrate again – it just may take some time.
- Cravings: Although many people that quit drinking alcohol are mentally determined to do so, it can be difficult to deal with cravings that arise during withdrawal. Some people experience such extreme cravings that they have a difficult time gradually tapering off of alcohol and or becoming fully sober. Do your best to deal with any cravings by getting rid of all excess alcohol once you have fully tapered yourself down.
- Crying spells: The depression that people experience during alcohol withdrawal can be debilitating. This may lead people to feel hopeless and inevitably breakdown and cry. If you find yourself crying often during withdrawal, just know that you will eventually experience emotional recovery.
- Delirium tremens: People experience major fluctuations in nervous system functioning during alcohol withdrawal. This is a more common symptom in people who drink large amounts of alcohol every single day for months. It also is more likely to affect individuals who have had an alcohol habit for many years. Essentially this is a psychotic state in which an alcoholic experiences tremors (shakes), anxiety, feels disoriented, and can possibly hallucinate.
- Depression: Do you feel severely depressed now that you have stopped drinking? This is relatively normal and is in part due to neurotransmitter changes in the brain. As your brainwave functioning and neurotransmitters reestablish homeostasis, your mood should lift. Keep in mind that you may feel depressed for awhile, most people don’t recover overnight.
- Depersonalization: If you feel unlike your natural self and/or almost like a zombie, just know that this is another possible withdrawal symptom. This is caused by changes in brain functioning and can actually be exacerbated by anxiety. Do your best to keep the faith that you will eventually feel normal again because you will.
- Dilated pupils: You may notice that your pupils become enlarged and dilated when you withdraw. While drinking, most people experience pupil constriction due to the depressant effect it has on the nervous system. When you come off of alcohol your nervous system elicits the opposite response and pupils dilate.
- Dizziness: A very common symptom to experience during withdrawal is that of dizziness. You may feel dizzy to the point of vertigo and/or feel as if you have a difficult time maintaining balance. The dizziness can be uncomfortable, but it will eventually lessen and eventually stop over time.
- Fatigue: Don’t be surprised if you feel so tired that you cannot get out of bed in the morning. If you have been using alcohol for a long time, you may feel weak and tired. Your body and brain are likely completely drained of energy and will need some rest to function soberly.
- Fever: Some individuals experience spikes in body temperature when they stop drinking and become sick. Most people that get fevers will only have “low grade” fevers, but it is possible to run higher fevers as well.
- Hallucinations: Some people actually experience psychotic symptoms when they withdraw from alcohol. This can include hallucinations, which are regarded as seeing and/or hearing things that aren’t based in reality. Most people do not hallucinate when they stop drinking, but it is possible for more chronic, long-term alcoholics.
- Headache: Another very obvious symptom that people experience is that of headaches. Even short-term drinkers experience various degrees of headaches when they stop drinking. You may experience light headaches and/or something more severe like a migraine. These will eventually go away with proper rest as time passes.
- Heart palpitations: The symptom of palpitations can be somewhat alarming to a person who has never experienced them before. These are basically feelings that your heart is pounding especially loudly and/or racing. If you react to these with anxiety and panic, they will likely become more severe. As your anxiety subsides and your body relaxes again, these will diminish.
- Insomnia: Some people drink alcohol because it depresses the nervous system and helps them fall asleep. During withdrawal not only are many people anxious, they experience significant changes in sleep patterns – which can inevitably lead to insomnia. Just know that it is very normal to experience insomnia when you withdraw. Your sleep pattern should correct itself over time.
- Irritability: Withdrawal from alcohol can lead to irritability as a result of changes in GABA functioning. When you have adequate GABA, you are able to keep calm and don’t get bothered by minor things. Insufficient GABA can lead a person to feel irritable and unable to stay calm.
- Itching: Some people have reported that they experience intensely itchy skin during withdrawal. The itch can feel almost like a rash in regards to severity and/or like bugs crawling all over the skin. The cause of this isn’t fully understood but one theory suggests that it’s the result of the central nervous system reactivating itself via nerve endings after being numbed by the alcohol for an extended period.
- Joint pain: Do you feel pain in your joints now that you are going through withdrawal? This is especially common and largely due to the fact that alcohol can numb any sensations of pain. Additionally your body may have been in a drunken stupor for such a long time that reactivation of joint functioning causes some minor aches.
- Mood swings: Most people can expect some sort of mood swings during their withdrawal. One minute you may feel deeply depressed and hopeless, the next you may be optimistic about the withdrawal process. Understand that changes in mood such as feelings of anger, sadness, apathy, anxiety, etc. will all gradually stabilize.
- Muscle weakness: A lot of people who drink consistently don’t get adequate exercise. Heavy drinking and minimal exercise is a recipe for muscle weakness. Your muscles may have actually become weaker due to lack of exercise and stagnation during the period in which you drank heavily. The weakness is also in part due to your body adapting to the detoxification process.
- Nausea: If you feel really nauseated during the first few weeks of withdrawal, this is pretty normal. The nausea may become intense at times and lead to vomiting. It may be difficult to work through this symptom, but eventually you will recover.
- Nightmares: A lot of people end up having to deal with nightmares, bad dreams, and crazy dreams when they stop drinking. The nightmares may be caused by poor sleep quality and the brain attempting to function sober again.
- Panic attacks: Some people experience such intense anxiety that it escalates to a panic attack. Panic attacks are caused by intense surges of uncontrollable anxiety. These are thought to be caused by disruptions with GABA neurotransmitter levels; when they drop, it’s easy for panic to set in. If you notice yourself experiencing panic, it is advised to practice relaxation techniques as they will calm the nervous system and promote desensitization to environmental triggers.
- Seizures: One of the dangers associated with rapid withdrawal or quitting alcohol “cold turkey” after extensive usage is that of seizures. If you quit cold turkey, you may not have adequate GABA in the brain to inhibit electrical activity. The electrical activity may spike, which could lead to a seizure. Seizures are more common in long-term alcoholics and/or people who have withdrawn from alcohol many times.
- Sleep disturbances: In addition to experiencing general insomnia, your entire sleep cycle may be thrown off schedule. You may be unable to sleep at night, but may feel tired during the day. Additionally you may fall asleep and not be able to stay asleep for a long period of time. For long term drinkers it may take over a month for your sleep cycle to correct itself.
- Suicidal thinking: The depression, anxiety, and panic that can set in during withdrawal can take a major psychological toll. If at any point you feel suicidal, recognize that although you feel crappy, you will eventually feel better. If you are unable to cope with this feeling, seek out a professional therapist. Typically as time passes, your emotions will stabilize and you’ll feel less depressed.
- Sweating: Most people notice heavy night sweats when they are going through detoxification from alcohol. With that said, you may also sweat profusely throughout the day. The amount you sweat should gradually lessen and normalize within a few weeks.
- Tremors: You may notice that your hands and/or other body parts constantly shake. Shaking is a symptom that many heavy drinkers experience during the tapering process and after they have had their last drink. Recognize that this symptom may be very uncomfortable, but it should subside over time.
- Vomiting: Most individuals who drink a lot can attest to feeling flu-like symptoms when they stop using alcohol. One of the symptoms that people experience is that of vomiting. Consider taking something like Pepto-Bismol to calm your stomach. Additionally make sure that you are drinking plenty of water as vomiting can lead to dehydration.
Note: While certain symptoms may be noticeable during the “tapering” process, a majority will emerge after alcohol has been fully cleared from your body. For further information about how alcohol is metabolized and the rate by which it is eliminated, read the article: “How long does alcohol stay in your system?”
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms: How long do they last?
There is no exact predictable timeline that can be universally followed for withdrawal from alcohol. Although many people may experience most intense symptoms within the first few days of withdrawal (the acute phase), some end up dealing with severe withdrawal symptoms for weeks and in other cases months since their last drink (post-acute phase). The severity of symptoms as well as the duration of withdrawal will largely depend on individual circumstances.
Individuals who are naturally less sensitive to withdrawal and have a supportive environment may recover at a quicker rate than people who are highly sensitive to withdrawal symptoms. Additionally someone who has been drinking heavily for years and is withdrawing may experience much more intense and longer-lasting symptoms, compared to someone who was only drinking for a couple months. It is important to understand that the withdrawal process is a highly unique and individualized based on many personal factors.
Some people may only end up experiencing intense symptoms for a few weeks and gradually improve, while others don’t notice any symptoms until they have been off of alcohol for a few weeks. Some people report pretty intense withdrawal symptoms for up to 6 weeks after their last drink, while other people end up going through protracted withdrawals that last up to 3 months. As a rule of thumb for any major withdrawal, I always recommend giving yourself 90 days before reevaluating how you feel and your symptoms.
Although it can be difficult to wait a full 3 months, a majority of people will be able to notice significant improvement after this duration of time. By waiting 90 days you have given your nervous system more time to adapt to sober functioning and you will likely be able to recognize some clear improvements in your recovery compared to the first couple weeks of withdrawal. Keep in mind that in some cases, protracted withdrawal symptoms can last up to a full year.
In the meantime, make sure that you don’t get caught up in how long the symptoms are going to last, rather take the time to focus on recovery. Take things one day at a time and if necessary, one hour at a time in the early phases of withdrawal. One tough hour may seem like a marathon, but you will survive and eventually experience full recovery. Each day try to focus on doing healthy things for yourself like eating good foods, staying hydrated, resting, getting good sleep, staying productive as possible, talking with friends, and consider some light exercise.
If you are currently dealing with alcohol withdrawal symptoms and/or have already survived alcohol withdrawal, feel free to share your experience in the comments section below. By sharing your experience, you may give someone else some encouragement and/or hope that they need in order to make it through this challenge.
I just quit drinking 7 days ago after about 10 years of heavy alcohol use. I tried many times before but could never deal with the withdrawal symptoms on my own. I finally called my doctor and discussed a plan with him. He gave me a prescription for Lazorepam. This combined with a heavy daily dose of vitamins and minerals actually made it quite easy to deal with the withdrawals.
I had actually started the vitamins and minerals a couple weeks before finally quitting. I’m not a doctor but I firmly believe that this really assisted in the process. After 4 days I was able to ween off the prescription. I try to maintain a steady diet and keep little snacks on me throughout the day. I’m not saying it will work for you but it can’t hurt to incorporate some of this into a daily routine.
Oh, and the vitamin regimen I am on consists of the following: a daily multi-vitamin, vitamin c (up to 5 times daily), L-glutamine (3 times daily), zinc, magnesium, calcium, and a super complex B vitamin.
I am a 54 year old female 2 months sober from alcohol and 15 months sober from opiate and benzos. Horrible sweats, chills, burning and tingling in back and extremities, temperature deregulation, and feeling of depersonalization. Has anyone experienced these persistent symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol? I am 2 months clean and sober from alcohol.
I have had drinks every night for only 3 months… problem is, it’s my friends homemade moonshine so it’s dang potent! How do you taper from such a strong source of alcohol?
Hey…forget the booze. It only increases risky behavior and contributes to physical problems. I have 27 (almost 28) years off alcohol. You don’t need it to have fun, travel, or be creative etc. Give your body and soul a break and learn to live sober. AA has been wonderful for me. It works. No, it isn’t easy but there is a lot of alcoholism in my family and I know where I will end up if I drink again.
Never have seen an alcoholic who can drink just on weekends. Controlling alcohol is a never ending task…just quit it. Take your life back, get counseling and see a good doctor. Be straight with your doc and tell the truth. And never give up. Good luck.
I did not consider myself an alcoholic or having a dependency. I am 40 and on average would drink 1 bottle of wine (usually red) every night, virtually without exception. If I picked up a good spirit then a bottle would go in three days. Some days would be 2 beers and a bottle of wine – so I was not an alcoholic, right!
Recently I was getting some aches in my side so I thought I would give up during this week and only drink at weekends. I have given up for a year before and a couple of months here and there (over the 15 years). This time is different, the tiredness during the day is intolerable and yesterday (day 4) I got the first headache and nausea and when I got home, serious heart palpitations. So, my dilemma – I am obviously an alcoholic/have built up an alcohol dependency and this website has been phenomenal in identifying the systems of alcohol withdrawal.
I do still want to drink, I like the flavors of the wine and my plan on Sunday was to give my body a break over the week and then enjoy a glass or three tonight and over the weekend and see how we go next week. I want to be a social and responsible drinker (not during the week and if then, only at a social event) but I am now quite scared of touching a drop again, having experienced withdrawal symptoms for the first time. So I have questions, and all the lovely people in this site seem to have overcome much worse than me.
Question 1) If I am on the path (90 days to recover, according to this site is a good time frame) – can I still get ‘better’ (not be dependent) if I only drink at the weekends?
Question 2) If you have managed to control your drinking to ‘social levels’ what tricks or tips can you give me?
Anyhow, great site and has made me aware that I am dependent and understanding that is massively helpful to self help. Best wishes and good luck everyone on the journey. Chris
Hi Chris, I am on day 7 and my story sounds somewhat like yours. I have the same questions you do… As much as I hope social drinking is possible, I’m just not sure it is… One day at a time for me. Right now I am just staying home and not putting myself in drinking situations… Good luck!
Chris, you sound like me. I did for years. I am now 58 and just had a cancer scare, liver enzymes elevated forever, recovered from Hep C a few years ago, and it finally dawned on me that I really HAD to quit drinking. I thought I could taper off, but I’ve never been one for rules or limits. Only tried once or twice and was back at it within a day or two.
I’m now in my 5th day and know that this has to be forever. If you are like me, there is NO social drinking possible. I love my wine, have for 40 years, but if I have one glass, I am tempted to have a second. After the second, my judgement is impaired and that bottle is gone and the next one opened.
Perhaps some people can do it, but I’ve not heard of one and it seems like many of the brave souls who have posted here tried to do just that and relapsed. I wish you luck and know you will succeed as will all of us who have come to the realization that “A thousand drinks are not enough, and one is too many”. Thank you to all who have posted here.
The article was good, but your comments are what has given me the courage to act on what I’ve intellectually known I MUST do for many years.
Hi all; I’m a 31 year old veteran that has been drinking since I was 17 years old. I got into heat drinking as of 21. I’ve been drinking hard at home our out in town all throughout my twenties, and into my early thirties here. I have been out of the military for 4 years and my drinking has increased over the last 4 years dramatically. I drank to forget and to have a good time, which I did.
I have a little girl now, and more responsibility of someone’s life, and I just lost my job. Instead of burying into alcohol I am giving it up. As I said I am 4 days into this, point of this comment? I binged drinker so heavy last weekend from Thursday into Sunday, that I literately felt death creeping on me, hence me being 4 days into this.
All the symptoms and steps hat you feel into withdrawal I am truly feeling. joint pains, extreme fatigue, extreme depression, agitation, lack of appetite, trembling, confusion…it’s all there. I am ready have a happy new me into a new life that I don’t know where it is headed, but I do know I want to be level headed and positive. Thanks for the article.
I’ve been a heavy drinker for 25 years. I have 21 days sober but feel terrible. Can’t wait for this to let up!
Bless every one of you brothers and sisters! The devil is a liar. I’ll keep mine short, through faith and prayer you can overcome anything. It won’t be easy but I hope this steps help. Prayer. Steam rooms to detoxify all poison (1 or 2 times a week). Take magnesium pills. Drink a lot of water everyday. Drink relaxing teas at night. Omega-3. Drink non alcoholic drinks if you have to.
Exercise! Sleep well. Yoga. EGT taping. This stuff helped out a lot. And trust me, it’s true, once your on your way to sobering up, you sleep better, you’re stronger, your vision is better. Little by little the effects will go away. I still get a little of anxiety. but almost done with it. And don’t give demons power, your not an alcoholic! We just got caught up with fun and poison when we were younger. Time to enjoy life! God bless!
Curiously one of my symptoms is weakness in the legs, especially the back of the legs, but it doesn’t really interfere with walking. The problem is more apparent when I stand still trying to cook or something. I guess you could just call this weakness but it is not really fatigue. I still walk for over an hour every day. Hope it gradually improves.
Today is my 20th day of completely abstinence from alcohol, after daily heavy drinking for 12 years and binge drinking for 4 months. Initially things become normal after 2 days, but in the second week I started feeling most of the withdrawal symptoms explained in this article, initially I was scared to death, but after reading this encouraging article, and you friend’s experience.
Now I am feeling optimistic that I can also manage with withdrawal symptoms. The most motivating words of this article is “symptoms will subside over period of time and body will again start functioning normal” – this is really motivating. I made a promise to myself that I will give 90 days to myself. Good luck to all my friends!
Day nine cold turkey. I have been drinking too much for over 35 years. Got to the point where drinking bottle of wine each night plus a third of a bottle of rum. Out of control late night online shopping. Insomnia. Not remembering how I got to bed. Falling asleep in the middle of the evening. Weight gain. Depression. Became hopeless at work, and worst…arguments with family and gibberish late night emails.
Now…not feeling too bad…muzzy head, very very tired…could sleep for ten hours easily. I miss the habit of drinking more than anything else so far, family are being great and buying me alcohol free wine…which I think is saving me at the moment. Can’t help it but am still missing the feeling. Determined to reach the month and hopefully forever. Even lost a couple of lb already.
I m 32 years old and been a pretty heavy beer drinking for at least the past 10 years. About a year ago I quit for 31 days due some some blood test results. I experienced some of the worst withdrawal symptoms such as waking in the middle of the night soaked in sweat to uncontrolled shaking of my hands. Took another test for insurance and all results showed great liver functions so I started on the beer again.
Usually 10 to 12 beers a night and more if I am off work for the day. Just recently i just became tired of the booze and put it up for a week. I didn’t have any symptoms without alcohol and didn’t even have the urge to open a can. just wondering if it’s possible to still experience some of the symptoms even after a few weeks without? Could I just become a social drinker again without getting back to my routine of pounding countless beers?
Day 6 of no drinking! So apart from a mild headache and some awful nightmares I have not yet experienced any other problems, except of course itching! I’m taking life a day at a time and resisting the monkey on my back that whispers in my ear “just a small one won’t hurt”. I’m drinking lots of water, bitter lemon basically anything to keep me hydrated and distract me. I think about you all that have posted on here and admire your courage on this road we have chosen,, your comments have helped me to focus and keep the monkey in his place, one day he will be gone.
Day 3 for me. Insomnia, sweating, and the most intense pressure in my head. I feel like it’s gonna blow my eyes out. Is this pressure normal?
I am so pleased to have come across this article and all the comments. I’ve been drinking for the last 28 years getting worse since my divorce, every morning thinking I had to stop, but not today, it was always wait till next Monday, no point in starting mid week, have you last brandy Sunday night, but which Sunday? Another week of the same mindless conversation.
A few months ago a developed a very bad case of nettle rash, nothing I took helped, tried the usual changed washing powder etc, no help, then I realized it got worse once I started to drink! The penny dropped! So last SUNDAY WAS MY LAST Brandy’s was up to just under a pint a day. Day three drink free tomorrow, I live on my own and worry about the withdrawal symptoms, but I have to keep positive. I would like to thank you all for your posts they are a tremendous support.
I’m 34… Went for few biz trips and drank beers & wines 3 days within a week.. Continued for about 4 months on and off. Rested 2 weeks and came home to feel terrible with a terrible headache, nausea, anxiety and mild fever, warm breath with some diarrhea. Went to see the doctor and thought it was flu. Had medication then went to another biz trip for 3 days. 2 days drinking wine 3-4 glasses and 2 pints of beers in 4 hours average.
Most of the time the same average drinks. When online to check and found out it’s withdrawal symptoms. It’s my 2 week since my last drink. The tension headaches behind my eyes has stopped. It has last for more than 1 month since my 1 attack (around 4 weeks back) But the tremor of my hands are still a little shaky. Hope it will clear soon.
Had some sodium and potassium and seaweed extract and orange citrus extract from the pharmacist who advice me to take it, as her husband had the same drinking symptom. Hope you guys can make it! All the best!
I have been alcohol and tobacco free for slightly over 2 weeks now. 2 birds 1 stone. For the last 10 years I have had 6 to 8 beers everyday (much more on those “special” occasions) and smoked at least a pack a day. I nearly lost my wife and 2 boys (ages 6 and 3) to the demon alcohol. Not sure how or why I woke up but I went cold turkey. 40 years old…
I guess I want to watch both my boys graduate at least. My withdrawal symptoms are: not able to sleep at all or sleep 14 hours and wake up tired. I live in a haze and daze and feel bummed almost all the time. My body aches from the neck down. You know what keeps me going? My 6 year old told me he was proud of his dad not drinking beer… God speaks through the mouths of children.
To all those in our boat leaving Hell… Best of wishes and luck to you all. Keep your chin up and try to laugh (or at least smile once a day).
Great article… I didn’t find alcohol till I turned 40 after a professional sporting career. In a few years I became addicted, dependent, gained weight, lost self esteem, had blackouts, foggy memory. Recently I just became so tired of the feeling and the weight gain I spoke to my Dr. A very understanding professional. Low dose xanax script for 3 weeks only plus magnesium, practitioner strength vitamins and a sensible diet.
Am at day 10 and know I am on the right course. I keep reinforcing that there is zero benefit to drinking. The withdrawal is weird. Agitation, impatience, anxiety, sweating, red irritated eyes and periods of itching and feeling restless. The mornings are good – memory is better, eyes clearer yet after some caffeine my body and mind is all over the place so no coffee anymore. 3 litres of water a day plus walking and keeping a record of the days free of the ‘grip of the grape’.
Took me 3 years to gain 12 kg yet with halving my calorie intake my cutting booze I hope the effect is positive. Sending strength to us all. Talk about a socially acceptable poison in pretty bottles with fancy labels. Kills more people than heroin a year.
What is the benefit to me by drinking? None, nothing, nada!
Great site, I have read all the above comments. I am Day 11 off the booze. It is the fatigue and feeling of emptiness and a general unwell feeling. I have started taking B1 and Vitamin C which even if they don’t help gives me some kind of mental satisfaction. I have been getting up very early and going to bed very early. If I wake up I use YouTube to divert my attention. Someone said giving up booze is like a divorce, unlike a divorce this partner will take you back anytime. So remember the bad times and move on.
I gradually drank more and more over 20 years and it took over my life. Around 30 days ago I felt really, really sick. Not hungover but ill and weak. Couldn’t look at a drink or cigarettes and so stopped. After a week I felt a bit better but decided that it really was time to stop. So far so good. I currently feel like crap and am very tired and thirsty.
Itchy around the face and head. Medium headaches that come and go. It is no surprise that something I have done non-stop for years will take quite a while for my poor old battered body to recover from. It takes 4 months for all your blood to replace itself so I’m guessing that these symptoms will be around until next February at least.
Surprisingly my relations and few remaining friends have not been enthusiastic or that supportive. Probably because I’m no longer such fun (?) and they don’t have a drink-buddy. Meh. On the positive side I have a lot more time to do things, more interactive time with the kids and they are more friendly. The bin isn’t full of empties each week. My red ruddy facial complexion has mostly cleared up and I’ve lost a little weight. More clear-minded and organized also.
You may be struggling with trying to stop, feeling guilty or apprehensive. I well know that mental game the brain plays – “I want to stop but not today”. We’re all different but remember that alcohol is not our master. It’s early times but what keeps me going is:
1) keep reminding myself of how much better it is now
2) understand that the brain will try to trick me back into old habits, at any time, anywhere
3) I’m the boss, not my brain!!
3) keep busy
4) try to empathize with my body and really feel how each part of my body is any time there is a spare moment – waiting at the traffic lights, having a shower – how’s the stomach feel? the legs? the head?
If you’ve found this website then you’re trying to conquer the beast. Good luck!!
Day three of not drinking. Was a heavy wine drinker every night for many years and then binge drinker before that. No sleep at all last night- just wide awake all night constantly moving, dry mouth, freezing all night, then sweating all morning, flu like symptoms aching legs and back and sneezing constantly, sore throat. Doc suggested just reducing, but I know that I can’t do that- so have just stopped. Hoping that I will sleep tonight. Reading this article is scary, but also comforting.
I have been drinking all my life, I am 66, my drinking got worse during 2 divorces, the 2nd divorce from an abusive alcoholic that increased my use of hard alcohol. My kids started to reject me because of my erratic behavior. I am 5 days clean. my doctor of 25 years has helped a lot, I finally told him the truth, I have been on wellbutrin, celexa, temazepam and flexeril for years.
I suffer from PTSD, depression, and stenosis of the spine. I was a dental hygienist for 25 years. Always sober at work, but 3-4 glasses of wine or 4-5 oz of vodka at dinner. So far the temazepam has helped settle my nights but I have the horrible dreams. I am happy during the day, have headaches, and am going back to yoga. My doc switched me to baclofen for my muscle spasms from my stenosis because it helps alcohol cravings as well.
I am fatigued but luckily I am also a textile artist, so I would suggest getting any hobby, knitting, you name it, it absorbs your concentration. I am not concerned about the other drugs I take right now, alcohol has done the most damage personally, I will deal with the rest after I get well. Don’t be afraid to tell your doctor. you need their support. We will all make it, just remember that!!!
Fantastic article and like so many others I have experienced many of the withdrawal symptoms. The worst being the following morning where my heart was racing so fast and i felt so hot the only thing that slowed it was a drink. Being the second detox I have done, I believe underlying factors and pyschological problems have made alcohol my support strategy. It got worse with the diagnosis of cancer of my dad who was my world. He died and everything got so much worse that eventually I had a nervous breakdown.
Anxiety and depression ensued followed by alcohol. I have dual diagnosis for anxiety and stress related issues. Having completed this controlled detox using diazepam I am free of alcohol but take camprol which alleviates cravings. I haven’t been able to work for two years and am terrified at the prospect of returning. My nurse tells me that the neurotransmitters will have to realign and mend themselves which can take between 6-8 weeks. Does that seem right?
Before detox I was drinking from around 11am until 8pm. Half a bottle of vodka and three bottles of wine a day. I have difficulty remembering things and words come out wrongly at the moment. I am so fearful of getting into an anxious state again. Losing a brother and divorcing my partner of 23 years also occurred during this time along with breaking ribs in an accident. Any ideas would be welcomed.
I guess my story is a little different than others. I drank hard alcohol (mostly straight vodka) from 1997-2012. My consumption would be a 750 ml bottle in 2 days (wow!). In 2012 (worrying about my health) I converted to Merlot wine, 2 liters per day, and had done this until 3 weeks ago. I decided I didn’t want to do this anymore. The next day I woke up and said no more. Since then I have not had any more.
I feel fantastic! With the exception of some confusion now and then, I have endless energy (while drinking, I sat in the chair all day an explored the Internet), an upbeat attitude and can’t wait to get up in the morning to experience life’s new thrills. I hope other people who are afraid of potential withdrawal symptoms will take this note into consideration and realize that the immediate results can be FANTASTIC!!!!! P.S. You won’t believe how clean my home is now!
I am 38. I’ve been drinking every OTHER night for more than 10 years. Vodka- between 2-6 stiff drinks in a night. I’ve noticed that I’ve been embarrassing myself more and more lately. I’ll be at a party and hear my own voice slurring, I’ll drunk comment on Facebook, I’ll ruin an entire Saturday with a hangover and feel so guilty that I’ve ruined plans. Again.
My husband has finally said something to me about it and it was finally time to take action. I stopped drinking Sunday-Thursday. Allowing myself only Friday and Saturday. This the third week and I cannot tell you how much I look forward to having alcohol tomorrow. I’ve been having headaches, which makes me think this is withdrawal? I always thought I wouldn’t be dependent if I never drank two nights in a row… that really seems foolish now.
The good things – I have lost a few pounds from stopping the weeknight drinking, and finally every night isn’t a drag from constant thoughts of alcohol. My ex died from alcohol. Complete organ shut down like dominoes. I should really know better.
I drank daily for 10 years. I quit Sept 13th 2010. The withdrawal symptoms have never stopped for me. It’s been 5 years now & they only get worse. I have severe anxiety, sensitivity to light/sound, extreme hunger, thirst – to where I have to eat every 2 hours, I MUST sleep 8 hours or I will get shaky & start to seize, I cannot stand loud rooms, lots of people, supermarkets, and all my joints hurt. I get chest pains now for the past 2 years, & I will feel faint & dizzy a lot.
I have seen many Dr’s and no one has been able to help me. I take Xanax, Topamax, & other drugs but they barely keep me going. Sometimes I wish I had never stopped drinking. However, having a drink now – even ONE SIP, brings all the symptoms back immediately times 10. I wish there was someone out there who could help my type of case instead of just with pills. I was never an addict. I just drank to help myself sleep. I never think about drinking. I just wish I had known what I was doing to my body. Once I got sick – I stopped cold turkey and that was that.
Chris, I developed all of the symptoms you mentioned above from a nasty tick bite and now have late-stage Lyme’s disease. A lot of people unknowingly give up alcohol after tick bites because drinking makes them feel sick as their liver can’t process the alcohol. Your post is from two years ago so I hope you are feeling much more better now.
After 3 years of daily drinking, (wine, at least a bottle or two each day/night) I stopped cold turkey. I started drinking in the afternoon and would go to 6/7pm and then eat and pass out. What a life…(I would also use pot at the same time.) I was worried about withdrawal and experienced a few symptoms. (sweats, anxiety, depression, anger To break the habit, I made myself busy when I would normally take my first drink of the day.
I also used over the counter vitamins that are supposed to reduce the cravings. Not sure what is helping but it’s been a week. My longest stretch in the past was 4 days. Reading the above comments has definitely helped. It has not been easy, I miss the buzz, but I am seeing my world in a different light. I have the same hassles at work and home, but I am dealing with them in a much better way.
Coherently. I realized I was just drinking to get drunk. I was not fixing anything. Just putting problems off till they got huge. Yesterday, I passed one of my drinking spots. The bartender saw me walk by and came out and called my name, offering a glass of wine. I waved and kept on going. I realized I had been drinking there for 2 years and I did not even remember her name…I sure hope it stays that way.
Thank you for this article, it’s really helped me to understand what I’m going through. I was drinking heavily every day for a whole year after I broke up with my ex and I have just stopped drinking in the week about two weeks ago. I feel so depressed and anxious and generally horrible. This article has explained why I may be feeling like this. I feel more motivated to keep on going and stop drinking at weekends too. Thank you.
I’m Pam. Im 49. I never drank alcohol in my entire life until a year ago. I lost my house, my mother went to an old folks home and my son to drugs. I started drinking vodka just to go to sleep. I’ve been drinking every night for a year. Last weekend I had to go to the hospital because I was hurting on my right upper side. I was severely dehydrated. I found out I had a fatty liver due to the alcohol. So I’ve quit cold turkey. I don’t crave it, but I can’t sleep and I’m very tired and I cry a lot.
Thank God I have a loving and caring husband who is beside me all the way. I just want to say that I don’t even like the taste of alcohol. I was using it as I got more and more depressed over my losses. It’s been only 1 week since I had my last vodka. I will never drink again. I just want to feel energy and happy again. I hope and pray that my liver will go back to normal.
I read all of the comments, and I’m glad I did. I have a better understanding of what’s happening. I’m 39 and I have been a daily drinker for the last 6 years or so. It started off with a glass of wine or two, then the whole bottle, then I switched to vodka and crystal light in an effort to decrease my calorie intake. Nothing bad ever happened due to my drinking, but I noticed that I wouldn’t remember things family members said that they told me, I would wake up groggy all of the time, I felt bloated, and on and on.
Today is day 7 without a drink. What I’m experiencing the most is anxiety and fatigue. My God, the fatigue is kicking my ass. I will stick to this though, because I know that I’m doing the right thing, and I know that my body will return to normal eventually. Thank you to all of you who have shared. It’s nice to know that I’m not alone. Good luck!
Read every comment here, and like someone said above I’ve been drunk, drinking, thinking about my next drink, or hung-over from alcohol almost every waking moment of my adult life. I have awoken almost every day the last few years worried about what I did the night before due to an alcohol black out. Then I would begin to drink water and eat well all day long just so I could be healthy and hydrated enough to drink myself into oblivion that night.
On those occasions when I’ve abstained for a day or two, I have spent anxious minutes each of those days standing in the whisky isle checking prices, or trying to justify going to the store to purchase a “small” amount of booze because I’ve been so good. I have intentionally barricaded myself in hotel rooms when I start drinking in order to keep me in the room once I black out because I was afraid of the auto locking doors and being in the hallway in my underwear.
I blame my work and social success not on alcohol, but on luck and that I am very high functioning during the day. I don’t know the kind of person I really am without alcohol as I’ve drank my entire adult life. I’m currently on day 9 and feel really good, a little tired, but I don’t really know what normal feels like…maybe this is it. If so, I can deal with it, it doesn’t suck and beats the anxiety and fear.
I want to be sober more than I want to drink.
I don’t drink anymore, I never will again.
I can’t afford the mental and monetary effects of the alcohol.
Excellent information on post acute withdrawal symptoms. In 2 days time, I will have been off alcohol for 6 months. Many of the physical and psychological problems I can identify with – malaise, feeling numb, tearful, joint pain etc. However, my main problem is complete lack of appetite. I have had terrible stomach problems (gastritis) caused by not eating, but I just don’t feel hungry. Anyone had this problem? Would sure appreciate any feedback.
I am 22 years old and have only been drinking nightly for 4 months. Usually 6 drinks but sometimes more. Like half a bottle of vodka and 3 beers. I only had one shot today and I felt awful. I was exhausted all day. My vision is hazy. My body is weak. I just want to sleep. My abdominal region hurts like crazy. I developed a sore throat and very dry mouth. And worst of all I started hallucinating tonight.
I could feel someone holding my hand and then squeezing it too hard and then a terrifying screeching sound. I keep hearing scary yelling. I felt a bag go over my head. I saw a flash of light. I have nightmares and am easily startled. This is scary. I didn’t even drink that long and I feel this way. I started drinking as a way of coping with my new life as a stay at home mom.
It’s how I dealt with the social isolation. It helped for a while, but now it’s so hard to take care of my five month old daughter. Is it possible to have this severe of side effects after only 4 months of daily drinking?
Hey there! Wondering how long ago you stopped or tapered your drinking before you had the hallucinations? I just turned 25 but have been drinking since I was 14. I’ve always enjoyed booze more than most my friends. But after getting anxiety/panic disorder a few years ago I began drinking every night to help me sleep because I was so terrified of having a panic attack again.
I would have about 1-3 drinks a night but after a year I finally stopped and would only socially drink on the weekends. But after a trip to Vegas in June and having a tough year I noticed my drinking went from seemingly normal to binging all weekend. Whenever I got a hangover I would use the excuse ‘hair of the dog’ and no one batted an eye. But it got really bad last month. Instead of having a few drinks I would start going through a 40 ounce bottle during the weekend and continue to drink until Monday.
Because of my job being a sales rep I don’t have to go into the office often so I started being bored and would drink other days during the week. I finally decided to slow down and eventually quit drinking after having a week long binge starting on Xmas eve until New Year’s Eve. I had been thinking about it for a while but once I noticed I was starting to hide my bottles and go to the liquor store multiple times a week I knew I had a problem. It’s been two days but so far have had major anxiety, sweating, not sleeping at all, and I’m terrified I will start hallucinating which is my biggest fear.
Seeing all these posts really help me and I’m glad girls around our age can realize we have issues early on and hopefully kick the habit. Hopefully your withdrawal symptoms didn’t last long. I’m terrified mine will since I’ve been a heavy drinker for the last while. It’s great to see everyone support each other on here and I wish the best for everyone.
Hi Lorissa, I found your post really interesting – very much a carbon copy of myself. I’m a 24 year old sales rep, working away Monday-Friday. I have been doing the whole weekend binge/hair of the dog habit for a while, and I decided to pack it in over Christmas. I’m suffering from irritability, restlessness and boredom so far. The reason I quit was due to the ever growing anxiety and depression that came along side my drinking.
I am on day 6, not that it really matters. The biggest hurdle I am facing is the magnitude of abstaining forever. My family, friends, and social life is very alcohol-centric, and I suppose I don’t know if I am ready to give that all up, but I feel like my hand has been dealt. If you want someone to talk to, I’d love to chat and see what you get up to while you’re not in the office to take your mind off things. I am finding the long drives and nights alone in my hotel literally unbearable and could use the tips.
Hi Lizzy, I hope you are coping better now. I felt a little scared for you when you said you have a 5 month old and have been drinking (seems heavily) for 4 months and I was thinking you need to be sharp and clear headed with a 5 month old to take care of. Hope you are well!!
Thank you for this insightful article. This is the first time I have replied to any sort of addiction forum, but I have truly found the comments here to be inspirational. This is day 3 for me with no alcohol. AA did not work for me, but I have great respect for all AA members who continue to dedicate their time, stories and support. Five years of heavy drinking every night has taken its toll.
This is the longest I have abstained for 5 years, and I was probably borderline the previous couple of years. I’m seeking advice and strength from those of you who have been where I am and can offer hope. I’m a 50 year old woman who is scared to death thinking that if I start again – today, tomorrow, that that will be the end. At my last GP checkup my BP was 170/110, elevated cholesterol greater than 350, and triglyceride levels above 560.
Alcoholism came later in life for me. I do remember seeing family members, friends, random people like I am now and wondered how could you let yourself get to that stage. Well, I am that person that I once judged. I used to think I was a mentally strong person. However, perhaps I have not been as strong as I once thought to handle the stress & challenges presented to me for the past few years.
Clearly not. Having 4 beautiful children has been a great privilege. Over the past several months, my youngest 8 year daughter has noticed my problem drinking. When she sees that I am about to pour that first glass of wine early afternoon or evening, she notices and has tried to divert my attention in any way so that I do something different.
As little as she is, she knows her mom has a serious problem. Tears now. If I can stop, maybe I can be the active, present and clear-minded person I once was and start rebuilding better memories for my children of a sober mother. I do appreciate any kind words and support.
Hi Janine. I’m just reading this a few months on and I feel very moved that you are trying to stop drinking. I am on Day 3 and very motivated! I wondered how you were getting on? I so hope that you’ve been successful. And if you haven’t – and God knows, it can take many attempts, that you will keep trying. There is help out there and when you have four young children, your attempts are all so worthwhile. Sending you big hugs and hopes for many years of happiness ahead. For all of us.
I am on day 4. I am 61, have a PhD, work and for the last few years started drinking 4 double IPA beers every night and smoking 10 cigarettes (I kind of like it but know it is a long term loser). My wife absolutely hates it but I do it in the back yard to stay out of her hair. My son who also has a taste for the brew just came home from Germany and he and I stayed up until 5am last Thursday night drinking, smoking and talking loud etc. etc.
My wife got really pissed at me saying that I am thoughtlessly corrupting my son and she laid into me for 4 hours straight telling me that I am a drunk and I stink from cigarettes and basically she would rather be alone than be with a smelly loser like me… Ouch!!! I went cold turkey. Other than fatigue and some anxiety and weird dreams, I am doing fine. Every time I think about having a beer or smoke my wife’s barrage of rapid fire insults pops into my head and the urge just passes. I knew I should quit eventually buy my wife made it easier to make the decision and stick to it.
I know it’s not a funny topic but I couldn’t help but have a giggle at your description of your wife’s “barrage of rapid fire”. It sounds like it was a great motivator. Hope you are doing well.
I’ve tried in the past up stop and ended up falsely normalizing and rationalizing why I drink. This time in, I realize I’m an alcoholic and have been drink free for 3 days. Normally drinking 1-2 bottles of wine an evening, I’ve gone cold turkey as I can’t taper off. Murderous rages, tiredness, odd balance…it’s great fun.
This article was an eye opener for me. I have been a daily drinker 2 – 6 drinks daily for 30 years. I haven’t gone cold turkey but have one glass of wine at night instead of 2 or more whiskeys. My scalp itches, I feel tired and depressed, my face is breaking out. Tonight I googled feeling tired, depressed and face breaking out.
This is how I found this website. What a wake up call. I will continue to cut back on my alcohol consumption and am on week 2. Hopefully, I will be able to not need or want any alcohol. This site really helped me so much and I know I can get thru this. I had no idea all my recent symptoms were alcohol withdrawal.
Thank goodness I found this site. I have been drinking for twenty years. Not too bad at first but ten years ago when I lost my job it became massively worse. This year it has become even worse again. I know I am killing myself. Have been in loads of rehabs, been to counselors etc but can’t stay sober. I am just off the worst bender ever, drinking 24/7 for about a month.
What I am experiencing right now today is the worst ever. The reason I am writing is I have never heard the withdrawals described like this…I guess the people I have met over the years haven’t been as bad as me. The insomnia is a killer and the itching I am suffering today is a killer, I feel like I am covered in bugs. Anyone know how long this itching lasts? Thanks.
Yep. The itching… Day 5 for me and today I was convinced I had bugs for a few hours.
What a great article. I’m 62 and am only on day three of probably over a thousand times attempting to quit. Surprisingly, I have been able to stay alive and “functioning” by paying attention to exercising regularly and maybe just pure luck. I have never been in trouble with the law and have held down some pretty good jobs. I HAVE had two failed marriages but I don’t think alcohol was a factor unless you account for the fact that it messed with my self esteem that I had trouble with since I was a child.
My marriage seems stable now after 25 years and I learned after all of the attempts to stop drinking, that I will never be successful unless I really WANT IT. That’s where I stand today. My withdrawal symptoms are insomnia, extreme irritability, headaches, and palpitations. I’d been abstinent for over a month before so I knew what was coming. This time I will remain alcohol free for life because I really had to want it and this time I do. I have a lot to live for.
This has been the best article yet. I drank myself silly Sunday night, felt so horrendous the next day, that I finally made the step to quit drinking. I have been drinking regularly for the last 5 yrs. I am 43. I am definitely feeling dizziness, brain fog, heart palpitations, anxiety, agitation and sweating!! What fun. But now I know that it’s all normal and it will be ok. I will be fine. I will get through this and will be much stronger and healthier than ever. I wish everyone the best of luck in their endeavour to quit drinking.
Hi Aly! Exactly the same on me!! Tough symptoms!
I’ve been in denial. Didn’t think it was so bad, but really appreciate what I’m reading here. Had convinced myself that working my way from 2-4 glasses of wine/night, with occasional nights that involved something harder, like vodka, to at least 1- 1/2 bottles wine most nights did not make me an alcoholic. Now, I’m not so sure. I definitely think it’s time to stop. One glass of wine 4 nights ago, and nothing for the last three.
I had been wondering why I was so very tired and a little nauseous. The fact that my body is reacting this way tells me everything I need to know, that it’s time to quit. Thanks to everyone wiling to share their stories here, you have only further solidified my reason to make this change, before I get even further down the wrong path. I wish you all the best.
I’m on day 5 after 18 years of heavy drinking and the primary withdrawal symptom I am experiencing is extreme itching. Combine that with eczema and this heat it driving me crazy. I quit without tapering because I tried that and it doesn’t work for me since I don’t stop at the set limits.
I am experiencing the itching to the extreme. I am on day number 19. This has been very hard. I have have went about a month before but starting again. I was even admitted to hospital under psych watch some years ago. I was hallucinating very badly. They said I had alcohol poisoning. The itching is not a typical itching to me…but it feels like I walked into a spider web all over my body. I am determined to make it this time.. I have young children and I don’t want them to be teased about their mom being the neighborhood drunk…
I have been completely sober for 9 months & nearly drank tonight. I feel like I dodged a bullet. I was a heavy drinker for 25 years. Lost a lot because of alcohol. The biggest was my marriage. I’ve been divorced for a year. The good thing that came of it was realizing what I lost. True love. It got me sober. Lost a career, house, friends, etc. But nothing compares to losing an amazing woman. What do they say? Don’t miss the water until your well runs dry.
I’d give it all, to go back in a DeLorean, & do it all over again. She gave me so many chances to get clean & I never could do it. When she left I had nothing, was suicidal, all because of booze. So I kicked it. Full on Delirium Tremens…it sucked. Can’t believe I almost bought a bottle tonight. So easy to forget. That’s how I found this article, looking up what I went through…alcohol withdrawal. Wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. Good luck all & may peace be with you & to me for remembering!
I’m a 32 year old male I have been a binge/heavy drinker since I was 17, in January 2014 I went to a GP to wean myself of alcohol during the process I was prescribed Librium & Phenergen to help me sleep. I continued to see my GP once a week for 4 weeks I took the Meds for 6 weeks in total, and I was sober for 6 months afterwards sadly alcohol came crawling slowly back into my life as I thought I could control it. What I never comprehended was that the reason I went there in the first for place was that my alcohol abuse was out of control.
Another year has passed and I’m in the same predicament, only this time I did not see my GP I feel very embarrassed, I have decided to go cold turkey today is Tuesday & last Tuesday I had my last drink! As most will know of the withdrawal symptoms mine are not as severe as I have been here before. I feel very cold all the time and cold sweats too, I feel restless & sluggish maybe that’s fatigue? My sleep pattern has got better over the last week and I’m focused and more determined to do this on my own. Best of luck to you all. ☺
Great article! It definitely talks about all the symptoms. A little broad and vague on the time aspect, which is understandable because everyone’s body is different and length and amount of alcohol is different. I would like to see some info about the withdrawals after 2 weeks, which is the amount of time it takes for the body, not the mind, to recover and return to somewhat normal.
I’ve been drinking a good amount 5 or so maybe more a day for the last 2 or so years and 3+ for the last 5. Started out with the occasional binges getting a bottle but then not drinking for a few days or till the next weekend. Big life break up caused it and sent me down this road. I’m now clean for one week but still have fatigue big time and a splitting headache. Caffeine in the morning helps. My recommendation while detoxing is continue to do what you did before with minimal change just don’t drink.
Then eventually introduce better workout and eating habits and then taper off caffeine. I actually feel pretty good, sweats and shakes are gone. I even got a mild fever the first week. If anyone has made it past 2 weeks I’d love to know how they feel and what their symptoms are. I can’t wait for the brain fog, fatigue and feeling depressed to go away. That’s my motivation to not drink now. Good luck to everyone.
Greta website here. I am trying to Detox myself its really tough. It seems like I get to the 5th or 6th day and I give in and buy a bottle of Vodka. I have not had a good sleep in the last 5 weeks. My withdrawal symptoms are:
Cravings — extreme
Sweating — extreme
Headache — still but getting better
Fatigue — still but getting better
Sleep disturbances — extreme
Insomnia — extreme
Nightmares — somewhat
Muscle weakness — somewhat
Mood swings — moderate
Joint pain — moderate
Itching — extreme, and digestive disorders.
It’s been 8 days now since my last cigarette and glass of wine. Feeling fatigued but can only sleep in short bursts. Dreams, very vivid and sometimes terrifying. Aches in joints easing up, muscle weakness in legs diminishing too. What I’m really praying for is the ache under the right side of my upper quadrant, and more specifically, the back. Pretty sure my liver is swollen a bit. BP getting better already, down to 120/90.
I was getting up to 1 1/2 bottles of wine every night and smoking 6 to 8 cigarettes along with that. No drinking or smoking during the day though. This has been going on for about 2 years. Prior to that I had managed to quit smoking and would really only drink about a bottle of wine every few days. I’m hoping I will be feeling better soon but realize that this is the journey. I’m 51 and just not ready to check out.
Tapering off just didn’t seem like the path for me. So far so good. I even managed to have dinner with my Daughter at Hudson’s on Monday night. I got through that okay. I think that if your withdrawal symptoms are really horrific, tapering off slowly is the way to go. I’m glad I found this site. Everyone needs support through this!
I am on day five of no drinking after 18 years. I used to consume a few glasses of wine after a long work day nightly. I was always a go getter and highly motivated. After losing my job last year I turned to alcohol to numb the pain, I ruined relationships and went into a deep depression in return. I am very grateful to still have my Husband and Sons at my side, I would hide my wine in cabinets in shame and later found out they knew and I looked like a fool. In just these first few days of recovery I feel better than ever. Going to the gym every day helps! I don’t always feel the best but I can see a big difference in my appearance and I have been losing weight without all of the calories in wine and beer…which by the way is never listed on the bottle!!! Hour by Hour…Day by Day is key to Recovery:)
Must be nice for everyone who can say they’ve even gone one day without a drink. I’ve been going through what appears to be kindling for about a year. Right now I can’t make once hour without a beer. Have to drink in the middle of the night due to shakes. I keep vomiting, diarrhea, tired like a zombie. The only docs around here I’ve already been to. They give me few days worth of meds that help them I start all over again. A lot an hour ago I got sick and could tell my pulse got higher. My BP machine had me at 185/90 with pulse of 140. I’m trying to taper with beer again. Down to about 18 a day.
I just turned 45 and have drank heavily for about 30 years. Over the years I have lost jobs and relationships. 4 days ago I decided to quit for those reasons. I quit cold turkey and it was the hardest thing I have done. The shaking, dizziness, mild hallucinations and now voices in my head are the worst thing I have been through. I did not sleep the first 2 nights at all and today I managed to sleep an hour at a time with bad nightmares.
I did this alone at home and do not recommended it. I looked on line and it says if you are doing this alone please have some one with you for the first 3 days. All the other symptoms I have as well tremors, itching, sweating all suck. I will not give up though and I have no urge to drink.
I would like to know how long the voices in my head stay for. I can control them for the most part and make them say what I’m saying. But when I’m not doing anything like talking on the phone or watching TV they get annoying . I know I’m not crazy…I’ve done my research they are a symptom, and that just goes to show how much damage we can do to our brains with alcohol. I just wonder if anyone knows? Thanks for listening.
I had this too. It was when I went to bed a day later. My girlfriend at the time booked me an appointment to the doctors, the doctor told the DVLA which is the English driving license governing body, and they took my license saying I could be prone to seizures. I hear the same song in my head constantly until I nearly go mad. You are suffering massive withdrawals… BUT you are nearly over the worst. It’s a horrible thing and screws with the mind and body like no other drug. Please keep going as it’ll change your life forever.