Alcohol Withdrawal

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Alcohol withdrawal is a physical or mental sickness that happens when you drink alcohol daily and suddenly stop drinking. Withdrawal may also happen if you suddenly reduce the amount of alcohol that you normally drink. The signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal normally start between 4 and 24 hours after you stop drinking. The symptoms may be mild at first, and get worse as your body goes through the detoxification process. Detoxification means your body is working to remove the alcohol. Severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are often called delirium tremens (DTs). DTs include hallucinations, irritability, and fever. DTs may last up to 5 days and can be life-threatening.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Avoid alcohol:

Alcohol can damage your brain, heart, and liver. It also increases your risk for injury, high blood pressure, and certain types of cancer. Alcohol is dangerous when you combine it with certain medicines. Work with your primary healthcare provider to develop a plan for you to stop drinking safely.

Do not drive or operate machines when you drink alcohol:

Make sure someone who has not been drinking can help you get home.

Follow up with your primary healthcare provider as directed:

Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits.

For support and more information:

• Alcoholics Anonymous
  Web Address: http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.
  

Contact your primary healthcare provider if:

• You keep drinking to avoid alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
  
  
• You need help to stop drinking alcohol.
  
  
• You have trouble with work or school because you drink too much alcohol.
  
  
• You get into fights because of alcohol.
  
  
• You have questions about your condition or care.

Return to the emergency department if:

• You have sudden chest pains or trouble breathing.
  
  
• You pass out or think you had a seizure.
  
  
• You feel sad enough to harm yourself or others.
  
  
• You hallucinate. This is when you see, hear, feel, or taste things that are not real.
  
  
• You cannot stop vomiting, or you vomit blood.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Alcohol Withdrawal (Aftercare Instructions)