People who are dependent on alcohol may experience a strong, often uncontrollable, desire to drink and feel they’re unable to function without alcohol. The more you drink on a regular basis, the more you’re likely to be affected by withdrawal symptoms. To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level, the UK Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) advise it is safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis. Within just a month of not drinking, your body can begin to reap the benefits.
Can alcohol withdrawal cause muscle spasms?
Stopping alcohol, however, can make healing possible that would not be otherwise. Heavy alcohol use is expensive, potentially costing you $800 each month or even more. Stopping alcohol won’t just put a bit of extra change in your pocket; it has the potential to have a sizable impact on your income and the lifestyle you can live. Alcohol causes inflammation in the lining of your stomach, causing bloat and other digestive issues. By your second week, your gut will begin to heal, and many of these issues will start to subside.
What is the treatment for alcohol withdrawal?
For anyone concerned about heart health, Dasgupta recommended decreasing alcohol intake and increasing physical activity, which also raises good cholesterol. Other studies, such as this one from 2022, have found similar results, showing no health benefits of consuming alcohol in moderation for people under 40, only risks. Cirrhosis of the liver (severe scarring of the liver) can occur over time in those who drink excessively.
Timeline For Alcohol Detox
With treatment, severe symptoms can take up to a week to fully resolve, explains Dr. Nolan. In other words, even once the worst is over, it might still take you a few days to feel better. If you’re otherwise healthy and can stop drinking and get treatment, the outlook is usually good. However, sleep disturbances, irritability, and fatigue may continue for months. There are https://ecosoberhouse.com/ many resources available for anyone who is ready to stop drinking for good, or who wants to reduce the harm alcohol is causing in their life by cutting down.
- But severe or complicated alcohol withdrawal can result in lengthy hospital stays and even time in the intensive care unit (ICU).
- If you’re having difficulty sticking to your goal or just want some extra guidance, consider reaching out for professional support.
- Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction have determined that there is not safe amount of alcohol.
- By avoiding alcohol, you’re taking a big step toward improving physical health.
- Although the effects are somewhat predictable, there is no way to know with certainty which symptoms will emerge and how intense they will become for each person.
On top of those mostly empty calories, alcohol ramps up your appetite. It also makes you more impulsive, and less able to resist the fries and other temptations on the menu. So when you stay away from alcohol, the number on your scale may well start moving down. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering alcohol detox side effects original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. During an exam, they’ll look for other medical conditions to see if they could be to blame.
