Quitting Alcohol and the Withdrawal Symptoms

The alcoholic has decided to quit drinking. Alcohol has become too much of a problem and is affecting their life too drastically to continue. Now that they have been blessed with the determination to quit drinking, what can they expect? What withdrawal symptoms will they experience as they begin to abstain from alcohol?

Because quitting alcohol has the potential to cause seizures and even death, anyone who has made the decision to stop drinking should consult with a doctor first in an attempt to avoid the worst possible withdrawal symptoms. If possible they should even check into a rehabilitation facility so that nurses and doctors can monitor them and make sure that withdrawal symptoms stay in check.

Not all people experience the same level of severity with withdrawals but it is better to be prepared. A condition called “alcohol withdrawal syndrome” develops with some people who are quitting and can be deadly or cause life-long issues. Knowing that should not deter anyone from quitting, but rather help them be prepared. If they can’t afford to go to a doctor or check into rehab, at least the alcoholic can be aware of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome so that they can take a trip to the emergency room if they find themselves in the situation.

Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome can include different levels of anxiety, severe shakiness, and seizures. It is more likely that the addict will acquire the syndrome upon quitting if they have other heart, lung, or health conditions. If the addict is basically healthy other than the alcohol addiction, it is unlikely that they will suffer alcohol withdrawal syndrome upon quitting drinking.

Now that the worst case scenario has been covered, it’s time to take a look at common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal that the majority of alcoholics might expect to experience.

The more mild symptoms that might be experienced also include shakiness but on a more mild scale. Sweating can be expected. The recovering alcoholic will probably experience a lot of agitation at first at everything around them because everything within them is changing and chemical changes can easily cause agitation.

Headaches are an inevitable withdrawal symptom. It’s going to happen. Hopefully the alcoholic is somewhat prepared and has some type of over the counter headache relief handy.

Nausea is a common symptom but does not always lead to vomiting. Sometimes the recovering addict will feel nauseous and go through the choking and gagging motions of vomiting but not actually vomit. It just depends on the person.

The first couple of days will probably be spent in bed. Someone who is quitting alcohol will feel ill and not have much energy. Those rare moments when the recovering addict rises from bed, it will be to retreat to the bathroom for diarrhea. The alcoholic might feel as though they have acquired influenza. Some people are even confused because it seems like they have an illness and they are not sure whether it is an actual illness or whether the feeling is due to the alcohol withdrawals. It’s especially confusing because fever often occurs and adds to the suspicion that they have acquired an illness. One might expect the first days to be the worst, but it is actually a few days in when the worst withdrawals take place. After a stint in bed, the alcoholic is suddenly awake and sober but might end up resorting back to bed because they will experience hot and cold spells, possible vomiting, and find themselves covered in sweat despite a comfortable room temperature.

Other early symptoms might include either no appetite at all or a sudden desire to eat a lot. It is different for different people but eating habits will change one way or another. Some recovering alcoholics take pleasure in being able to eat throughout the day without worrying that food will ruin the effect of alcohol. They have become so accustomed to eating only at night before sleeping. Suddenly being able to eat whenever they want is a new found freedom.

Many people will crave sweets when quitting alcohol because their body is asking them to find a replacement for all of the sugar that was in the alcohol. By satisfying the body’s need for sugar, it actually contributes to experiencing less harsh withdrawal symptoms.

It is not unusual for a recovering alcoholic’s behavior to change drastically. That’s because the mind goes back to an earlier time and place. For instance, someone who began drinking alcohol regularly as a teenager and quits drinking as a middle aged person might find that they enjoy the same activities that they enjoyed as a teenager. Family and friends will be surprised when an older person is suddenly interested in playing video games and watching anime. But it is just a part of recovery. The time spent drinking is in a way time that was lost.

Much of what took place during years of alcoholism vanishes and the recovering addict is like a completely different person. Those who care about the recovery must keep that in mind so they do not become too critical or misinterpret the behavior as being a distance forming between themselves and the recovering alcoholic.

Just when it seems that the worst withdrawal symptoms have passed - when the recovering alcoholic is beginning to feel good and feel like they are getting a lot accomplished because they are thinking so much more clearly, that is when the next series of withdrawal symptoms will kick in.

It can be even more difficult than making it through the physical illnesses that overtook the body when the alcoholic quit. This is the time when the problem drinker begins to have constant thoughts of drinking again, despite the positive changes that they have experienced. All of the praise in the world can’t deter the alcoholic from thinking about drinking again. This is the worst stage of withdrawal because how it is handled can determine whether or not the alcoholic will relapse.

When this stage hits, there had better be a support system in place. This is when the alcoholic needs to call someone and talk about their feelings before it is too late. Some might not consider those urges to be withdrawal symptoms but they are. They are a big symptom and the hardest to deal with.

Being sick in bed might seem to be worse, but the initial withdrawal symptoms eventually come to an end, but the urge to drink again does not. Sometimes this urge continues for years on end. A recovering alcoholic can’t get through this symptom alone.

Many alcoholics try to quit drinking. Some try again and again. Even though they never want to suffer the withdrawal symptoms again, once they pick up and consume just one drink, the alcoholism begins all over again.

Relapses are common but not definite. It is possible to quit drinking and stay quit. It depends on many factors. Of course the adamancy of the desire to quit plays a big role in success. Knowing the withdrawal symptoms and preparing for them before they actually occur is another big bonus. Having a support network in place before trying to quit drinking alcohol is the best thing that the recovering person can do so that when the alcohol withdrawal symptoms occur over a series of time and changes, there is someone to talk to at the worst of times.