Alcohol withdrawal symptoms: what to expect and when to get help

Alcohol withdrawal means your body is reacting after regular heavy drinking is reduced or stopped. It can be mild, but it can also become dangerous quickly. If you get symptoms when you go without alcohol, speak to a doctor or alcohol support service before trying to stop on your own.

Common alcohol withdrawal symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. Common early symptoms include anxiety, irritability, poor sleep, sweating, nausea, headache, a racing heart and shaking hands. You may also feel restless, low in mood or unable to think clearly.

• Anxiety, irritability or restlessness
• Sweating, clammy skin or a racing heartbeat
• Shaking or tremor, especially in the hands
• Nausea, vomiting, headache or poor appetite
• Trouble sleeping, nightmares or low mood
• Difficulty thinking clearly

When can withdrawal start?

Withdrawal often begins within 6 to 12 hours after the last drink, although the timing is not identical for everyone. Symptoms may become strongest over the next 24 to 72 hours. Some symptoms can last longer, especially after long-term heavy drinking. A timeline is not a safety test: early mild symptoms can still worsen.

Signs that need urgent medical care

Severe withdrawal can include hallucinations, a seizure, severe confusion or delirium, fever, marked agitation, or an irregular heartbeat. These are not symptoms to watch at home. Call emergency services or go to an emergency department, and tell the clinicians how much you have been drinking and when your last drink was.

Who should get advice before stopping

• Anyone who drinks every day or most days and feels unwell when they miss a drink
• Anyone who has had a withdrawal seizure, hallucinations or severe confusion before
• Anyone drinking heavily for a long time, or taking sedatives or other substances
• Anyone with a medical condition who is unsure whether stopping is safe

A clinician can assess your risk and decide whether you need monitored treatment at home, in a community service or in hospital. Treatment may include monitoring, fluids and prescribed medicines. Do not copy somebody else's detox plan or change prescribed medicines without medical advice.

What you can do today

1. If you have withdrawal symptoms, contact a doctor or local alcohol service before stopping suddenly.
2. Tell one trusted person what is happening and ask them to stay involved.
3. Write down when you last drank, roughly how much you drink, and any previous withdrawal symptoms. This helps a clinician assess you.
4. If severe symptoms appear, call emergency services. Do not wait for them to pass.