Skip to main content

Alcohol Withdrawal

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 29, 2024.

Alcohol withdrawal is a group of symptoms that occur when you drink alcohol daily and suddenly stop. It can begin within 5 hours of your last drink and get worse over 2 to 3 days. Withdrawal may also happen if you suddenly reduce the amount of alcohol that you normally drink.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) for any of the following:

Call your doctor if:

Medicines:

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

View more treatment options

Have someone stay with you during withdrawal:

This person should help you take your medicine and keep you in a calm, quiet environment. He or she should also watch your symptoms and know what to do if your symptoms get worse.

Learn to stop drinking alcohol safely:

Work with your healthcare provider to develop a plan for you to stop drinking safely. A sudden stop or change can be life-threatening.

For support and more information:

Follow up with your healthcare provider within 1 day:

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

© Copyright Merative 2024 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

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

Treatment options

Care guides

Symptoms and treatments

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.