What Is It Like To Withdraw From Alcohol?
Ed Philips
This section contains information about what to expect when you stop drinking and your body readjusts to the changes.
Most people can come off alcohol quite safely at home. However, if you are ever worried about what is happening or have had a bad experience in the past, you should contact your doctor or local community alcohol team. There is no virtue in punishing yourself with bad withdrawals.
To be sure, the first three days of withdrawal will probably be the worst. Some symptoms you can expect to feel include anxiousness, irritability, restlessness and quite possibly flu-like symptoms. The important this is to not give up; in a week to ten days you will feel much better.
It is important to maintain those things your body has become accustomed to such as sugar. Alcohol has a high sugar content and it is necessary to replace this for the first few days. You can do this by drinking fruit juice.
Natural sleep patterns are disrupted through the abuse of alcohol; if you find you can't sleep or wake up after just a few hours, don't panic - this is a normal occurrence and will right itself after a few weeks. A good tip would be to try to learn some relaxation exercises.
As the days go by, you will find old interests returning. Allow yourself to enjoy them. Watch TV as much as you like and try to get some exercise. Give yourself some small objectives that you know are achievable. If you want to give up smoking - do something about it at a later date - one thing at a time.
You also may want to explain to people close to you what you are going through. Don't let it upset you if they appear to lack faith in you - they will also need time to adjust just like you.
Don't forget that stopping drinking will not resolve the problems that started you drinking in the first place. Don't feel that you can try to tackle the problems all right away. Once the alcohol is out of your system you will be in a better position to put your problems in to the proper perspective and can then begin to talk to someone who can help you get through them, such as a therapist.
Beware of setting yourself up to drink again. Prepare in your mind what you will say if someone offers you a drink. And don't forget, one drink will always lead to another. It is best to simply stop altogether.
It is not easy giving up alcohol, but by taking things slowly - one day at a time as AA puts it - and being realistic, you will succeed.
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