Alcohol withdrawal symptoms

It is common to get withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking alcohol.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms may include:

• anxiety or jumpiness
• feeling low or depressed
• shakiness or trembling
• irritability
• sweating
• extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• nausea and vomiting
• loss of appetite
• headaches
• difficulty sleeping

Not everyone who stops drinking will get physical withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms are more common if you are a heavy or regular drinker.

How long withdrawal symptoms last

Withdrawal symptoms start about 8 hours after your last alcoholic drink. They may get worse over the following 24 to 48 hours.

If you are not dependent on alcohol, symptoms tend to ease after 24 hours.

If you are dependent, symptoms can become more severe and may last for several days. Serious symptoms such as seizures may happen within 24 to 48 hours after your last alcoholic drink.

If you are worried about your alcohol use, take our alcohol test.

This will help you find out:

• what type of drinker you are
• the impact of your drinking on your physical and mental health

Signs of alcohol dependence

Alcohol dependence treatment and recovery

Severe cases of alcohol withdrawal

In severe cases, withdrawal from alcohol can also cause:

• confusion
• disorientation
• seizures
• fever
• agitation
• hallucinations - you may see, hear or feel things that are not there

You can still be dependent on alcohol, even if you do not get physical withdrawal symptoms.

Delerium tremens (DTs)

Delerium tremens (DTs) is a life-threatening form of severe withdrawal.

Symptoms include:

• disorientation
• agitation
• shaking
• increased heart and respiratory rate
• fever
• hallucinations - you may see, hear or feel things that are not there

DTs is more common in people with alcohol dependence. The risk of DTs is higher in people who have seizures or had DTs before.

Alcohol dependence overview and risk factors