When giving up something, be it drugs or alcohol, especially after prolonged use or abuse of the substance, there are going to be symptoms of withdrawal. Stopping the use of alcohol suddenly, puts you at risk of severe withdrawal symptoms and for many alcoholics, it is just easier to go back to their old habits.
It is important to know what the withdrawal symptoms are so that alcoholics can best deal with it and so that you do not fall back to using alcohol.
There is no way of predicting what symptoms you will experience and the severity of them, it is going to differ from person to person. Each addict has a different response to quitting, and if the use of alcohol has been abusive and been happening over a long period of time, it is better to seek help from a medical professional.
Typical Symptoms
The symptoms of withdrawal can either be psychological or physical, and they can range of mild/moderate to severe. Some of the psychological symptoms to look out for when it comes to withdrawal are: feelings of jumpiness or nervousness, feelings of shakiness, anxiety, irritability, emotional volatility, depression, fatigue, difficulty thinking clearly, and bad dreams.
Some of the physical symptoms to look out for are: a general, pulsating headache, sweating, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, insomnia, paleness, rapid heart rate, enlarged or dilated pupils, abnormal movements, hand tremors, and involuntary, abnormal eyelid movements.
Some of the more severe symptoms can be psychological or physical, and they include: a state of confusion or hallucinations, agitation, fever, convulsions, and black-outs.
All of these symptoms will differ in severity amongst alcoholics and not every alcoholic will experience the same thing when they stop drinking. The best option is to seek professional medical attention and find the best treatment plan for you. There are numerous ways these withdrawal symptoms can be dealt with and not everybody is going to be the same. Be aware of your own body so that if you experience any of the above, you know to seek help.
We have a comprehensive guide to detox here.