Alcohol Detox Symptoms

Many who drink a lot experience withdrawal symptoms from alcohol when they cut back or completely stop drinking. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and could include sweating, tremors nausea, anxiety, and seizures or even delirium in tremens.

For those with moderate to severe symptoms, a medically monitored detoxification is advised. This ensures that symptoms don't escalate into seizures high fevers, seizures or DTs.

1. Headaches

Headaches and migraines are among of the most common withdrawal symptoms for heavy drinkers. The severity of withdrawal symptoms can vary based on the duration and severity alcohol addiction as well as co-occurring disorders and the detox medication used during withdrawal.

The headaches associated with alcohol withdrawal typically begin within six hours of the last drink. The initial phase may last a few days with symptoms peaking at around 48 hours after quitting drinking.

Our staff at New Horizon will help you manage these symptoms, including drinking fluids and nutrition. The more hydrated you are during this time more likely you will experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.

As you go through the withdrawal process, your brain will begin to restore its normal neurochemical production. This can take up to a week or more. You may experience withdrawal symptoms when you return to your old habits or increase the chance of re-drinks. It's also possible for withdrawal symptoms to recur after you've become accustomed to sobriety. In this the situation is known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). These withdrawal symptoms may last for one year, based on the degree of alcoholism. These symptoms may include anxiety, difficulty sleeping and delayed reactions. This can be difficult to endure however the benefits of a clean lifestyle far outweigh these negative effects.

2. Nausea

There is a possibility of experiencing nausea and vomiting at different levels based on your level of alcohol dependence and how long you've been drinking. This is due to alcohol having a powerful effect on the stomach, and when you stop drinking, your body may experience withdrawal symptoms that affect the entire digestive system. This is often accompanied by diarrhea which can be extremely uncomfortable and even dangerous if dehydrated.

When you stop drinking, your brain produces less GABA and more glutamate to try to compensate. This can cause an imbalance in neurotransmitters, which can cause you to feel nervous and jumpy. It can also cause hand tremors and cause you to crave alcohol. These are all signs of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which is a medical emergency and requires treatment under medical supervision in a hospital.

Alcohol detox can be a painful and risky process, but it is the first step in recovery from addiction to alcohol. If you are experiencing nausea or vomiting, you should contact New Horizon and talk to an addiction counselor who can assist you in determining if the symptoms are connected to your alcohol use or if they may be caused by an illness.

During the first 24 hours following alcohol withdrawal, nausea and vomiting are common. During this time, you should avoid the consumption of greasy and fatty foods, and adhere to the BRAT (bananas with toast, applesauce, rice and toast) diet. If nausea becomes very severe you can refresh yourself with water or electrolyte drinks. You can also buy an over-the-counter medication for nausea, such as Kaopectate or Pepto-Bismol when needed.

3. Vomiting

Alcohol can cause stomach problems, which may manifest as vomiting and nausea. This may occur as your body adjusts to no longer drinking alcohol and detoxifies. It can last for a time and could require the use of medication. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration and blood sugar spikes, which can worsen symptoms.

Seizures and hallucinations are also possible signs of withdrawal from alcohol. They usually begin between 12 and 24 hours after your last drink and can cause you to hear, see or feel sensations that are not present. Seizures are an indication of a severe withdrawal from alcohol, and can be fatal if not treated by a medical professional.

When you are experiencing withdrawal or detox from alcohol, you will need to be closely monitored by a physician. detoxing from alcohol will look for symptoms of fever, rapid heart rate and dehydration to determine the severity of your withdrawal symptoms. They may prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms and prevent seizures if necessary.

Medical professionals will create an environment that is comfortable and safe for you to reduce the chance of having seizures or other life-threatening symptoms. They can assist you in managing withdrawal symptoms and offer you the strategies to avoid the possibility of relapse. Treatment and detoxification of alcohol will allow your brain's chemistry and alcohol levels to return to normal.

4. Diarrhea

During alcohol addiction the body's digestive system could be affected and the intestines can be affected by a variety of factors which can cause diarrhoea. This is among the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome that occurs when people abruptly stop or significantly reduce their consumption of alcoholic drinks. Other withdrawal symptoms include nausea, tremors and vomiting.

Depending on the severity of the person's condition, diarrhoea may last for up to a few weeks after abstaining from alcohol. This symptom can be relieved by drinking plenty of water or eating lots of fibre, which will reduce the amount of liquid in the colon.

Alcohol causes stomachs to produce more acid to aid digestion, which can also irritate the intestinal tract. This issue is more likely to happen if you drink a lot of alcohol, because of the tannins that are found in the grapes that are used to make wine.

Drinking plenty of water is essential for anyone undergoing alcohol detox. This can reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms. It is also important to seek medical attention in the event of problems, such as seizures, which can occur when alcohol withdrawal occurs.


After the first 24 hours, withdrawal symptoms of alcohol should be less severe. This doesn't mean the detox is complete. There are many symptoms, such as migraine headaches, that you have to endure.

5. Tremors

Although they're not as frequent as the other signs of alcohol withdrawal, tremors can occur in a few people during detox. They are usually a sign of severe withdrawal and are more likely to happen in men. It is important to seek medical treatment as soon as you notice tremors. This is because if they're left untreated, they can cause seizures and heart attacks.

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant which means it blocks the excitatory chemicals that are present in the brain. When you stop drinking the excitatory chemicals that are in your body are hyper-excited. This can trigger withdrawal symptoms like shaking. It is not recommended to stop drinking alcohol without the supervision of a physician.

The severity of the withdrawal symptoms is determined by how much you drink and the tolerance level of your body. The mild symptoms usually begin around two hours after the last drink and include anxiety, irritability, as well as sweating. These symptoms will peak within 48 hours and should begin to decrease thereafter. Severe withdrawal symptoms may include tremors, fever, hallucinations, and confusion. These symptoms can be hazardous and can result in aspiration pneumonitis extreme cases.

During the detoxification process, you will receive medications to combat withdrawal symptoms. Benzodiazepines (also known as benzos) are the most common and are prescribed for anxiety and muscle spasms, insomnia and other withdrawal symptoms. The most frequently prescribed benzos are chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and diazepam (Valium). If you're experiencing withdrawal symptoms, get immediate treatment from a professional.

6. Insomnia

It can be hard to sleep well with no alcohol if you're used to it. But, you can overcome insomnia and get a good night's sleep during the alcohol detox by following some simple practices.

A restful night's sleep is essential to your physical and mental well-being. Insomnia can impact your ability to focus and feel relaxed, as well as function normal throughout the day. It can also affect your mood and make it difficult to enjoy your time in sobriety.

Sleep issues are common among recovering alcoholics. In fact, they're a leading reason people relapse during the first stages of recovery. While the shaking, sweating and nausea that accompany withdrawal tend to go away with time, sleep problems can last for weeks or even months.

Insomnia is a common manifestation of alcohol withdrawal. It can lead to irritability, anxiety and other signs. This is why it is important to treat insomnia with the help of a medical detox program.

Fortunately, a lot of symptoms that lead to insomnia during detoxification can be controlled with a medication called Ambien. Ambien is a well-known sleeping pill that is included in many detox programs that use medical assistance. While the medication can aid in sleeping but it isn't a mix with alcohol, making it safe to use for the duration of your detox. The sleep aid will help you have an improved night's sleep and increase your overall level of health during alcohol detox.