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“I’m feeling so much better about my life and my actions. I love life without alcohol. Every day that passes, I realize the cravings are fewer and farther between. I’m not so tired all the time.” “Symptoms are reducing daily, and I have had the best two night’s sleep in a very long time. Just loving waking up without counting the hours to the next drink.” Alcohol withdrawal symptoms begin to ease for some and just begin to get intense for others. Some have the same symptoms as on day one and ask, “How long does this last?” The urge to relieve those withdrawal symptoms with a drink can be overwhelming. “I got through day one with hot and cold spells, increased pulse, high blood pressure, and headaches. My jaws hurt as well, but possibly that’s from tension. Already, I feel better and hope every day continues that way.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
These reduced cravings can help make it easier to stick to sobriety for the long-term. “Now that most of the physical symptoms have gone away, time to work at staying sober. This is usually where I mess up and drink because I am feeling better and think I can handle it. I know I can’t.” “Tried again today, but it was severe this time\u2014bad shaking, sweating, rapid heartbeat. Instead of going to the hospital or doctor, I tried to wean and reduce for a few days.” “I am in my first hours of sobriety. I just took the quiz for withdrawal symptoms and scored 60% moderate to severe. Funny, because my average hangover is usually worse than this.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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A doctor may also prescribe a sedative drug, such as a benzodiazepine, to help reduce withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness or agitation. Benzodiazepines like Librium (chlordiazepoxide) and Ativan (lorazepam) may also help to prevent minor withdrawal symptoms from becoming more severe. Other drugs a healthcare provider might prescribe include anxiolytics , vitamins, and suboxone. Severe and complicated alcohol withdrawal requires treatment in a hospital \u2014 sometimes in the ICU. While receiving treatment, healthcare providers will want to monitor you continuously to make sure you don\u2019t develop life-threatening complications.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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For most people, alcohol withdrawal symptoms will begin to subside after 72 hours. If you are still experiencing withdrawal symptoms after three days, talk to your healthcare provider. Whereas some experienced mild symptoms in the early days, others reported severe, sometimes frightening ones. Most of those who experience severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms do so because they’re going through their detoxification period “on their own” without the benefit of medical help. Muscle spasms are one of the most common alcohol withdrawal symptomsand will usually start within a few hours of your last drink and last up to a few days.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re otherwise healthy and can stop drinking and get treatment, the outlook is usually good. However, sleep disturbances, irritability, and fatigue may continue for months. If your symptoms are more severe, you may need to stay in the hospital.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n