Author: John Carter

What Helps With Alcohol Withdrawal? 18 Tips

When you stop consuming alcohol after prolonged, heavy use, your CNS can’t respond or regulate itself fast enough. It becomes overexcited because there’s no more alcohol to slow it down. Benzodiazepines (tranquilizers) are the main treatment for symptoms of withdrawal, like the shakes, and are also key to preventing serious complications such as delirium tremens (DTs). There are specific medical treatments that will stop or reduce most of the symptoms you could experience if you quit cold turkey.

Timeline of Alcohol Withdrawal

Keep in mind that fruit juice and kombucha may be high in sugar. If you decide to get treatment, your doctor can recommend the type of care that you need. If you don’t already have a supportive network, you can make new connections by joining social media communities dedicated to alcohol-free living. You’ll likely need other treatments for related health issues. Each of these symptoms can increase in intensity depending on the severity of the withdrawal.

1. Treating alcohol withdrawal is a short-term fix that doesn’t help the core problem.
2. This is considered a medical emergency because it can lead to permanent brain damage.
3. These vitamins and minerals help support nerve function and overall health, which can be compromised due to long-term alcohol use.

When the alcohol level suddenly drops, your brain stays in this keyed up state. Over time, your central nervous system adjusts to having alcohol around all the time. Your body works hard to keep your brain in a more awake state and to keep your nerves talking to one another.

What food helps with alcohol withdrawal?

The best way to quit alcohol while avoiding unpleasant withdrawal symptoms is to ask for help. If you have decided that it is in your best interest to stop drinking, one option is to seek help from a family doctor or primary healthcare provider. If your alcohol use has been heavy and chronic, talk to a doctor about medically supervised detox. If you detox at home, talk to a healthcare provider about medications that may help and use self-care strategies to make it easier to cope with uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal typically follows a predictable timeline, with symptoms emerging within hours after you stop drinking and lasting 7 to 10 days. There are three potential stages of alcohol withdrawal, although most people will only experience the first stage.

– Ride out the cravings.

Professional detox is highly recommended for those likely to experience moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms and will support you during detox. Recovery from alcohol use disorder is a journey that is best undertaken with the support of a caring and understanding community. Seeking out and embracing the support of loved ones, peers in recovery, and professional addiction treatment providers can significantly enhance the chances of long-term success. Join Eleanor Health as one of our members and join the community. Your doctor can help by prescribing medications for alcohol withdrawal that can alleviate or even stop some of your symptoms. Talk to your doctor or a drug treatment specialist about what to expect as you experience alcohol withdrawal.

Medical assistance is always recommended but will become necessary if symptoms progress beyond the first stage. While most cases are mild,  if you experience severe or acute withdrawal, seek immediate medical attention, as symptoms can be life-threatening if left alone. If you are a heavy or chronic drinker, it is important to get professional help to stop drinking. Your detox should be medically supervised in order to help minimize severe symptoms. Treatments can greatly reduce or eliminate most of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. There are a number of common alcohol withdrawal symptoms, but not everyone will experience these symptoms.

To learn more about when you may need help for alcohol misuse, visit our informational page on helping someone with an alcohol use disorder or take our alcohol misuse self-assessment. Although you might be tempted to tough out withdrawal symptoms by yourself, it’s not worth the risk. Although there are many benzos available, diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and chlordiazepoxide (Librium) are the most frequently used.

Support Groups

They can range from mild to severe and are usually proportionate to the amount of alcohol you usually consumed and how long you’ve been drinking. Severe and complicated alcohol withdrawal requires treatment in a hospital — sometimes in the ICU. While receiving treatment, healthcare providers will want to monitor you continuously to make sure you don’t develop life-threatening complications. Make no mistake about it, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be severe, and in some cases fatal. If you are a daily drinker, a heavy drinker, or a frequent binge drinker, suddenly quitting will likely produce a wide range of uncomfortable symptoms. The first symptoms—and maybe the only symptoms—you experience may resemble a bad hangover.

From 24 to 72 Hours

People who experience severe withdrawal symptoms or DTs may require hospitalization or intensive care unit (ICU) treatment during alcohol. Alcohol withdrawal can deplete the body of essential nutrients. Vitamins B1 (thiamine), B9 (folate), B12 and C are often recommended to aid recovery. These vitamins and minerals help support nerve function and overall health, which can be compromised due to long-term alcohol use. However, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider before starting any supplements, as they can advise on the most appropriate regimen based on individual health needs. When the body becomes dependent on alcohol, it goes into a state of imbalance once the substance is removed.

A healthcare provider may also suggest vitamins and dietary changes help with your withdrawal symptoms. People who consume large amounts of alcohol may be more prone to certain nutritional deficiencies, including B vitamins. Your doctor may recommend taking supplements to address these deficiencies.

In the First 8 Hours

These may still be mild, or the existing symptoms might increase in severity. You may also receive other medications or treatments for related health issues, like IV fluids for dehydration and electrolyte imbalances or antinausea medicines if you experience vomiting. Some people experience prolonged withdrawal symptoms, like insomnia and mood changes, that can last for weeks or months. The craving for alcohol may be a persistent challenge during and after withdrawal.