Alcohol addiction is something that plagues people across our nation and beyond. A study conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that more than 10% of American children live with a parent who has an alcohol problem. If you or someone you know has struggled with alcoholism, you may be wondering, “What are the side effects when you stop drinking alcohol?” It can be scary to stop doing something that has become part of your routine, regardless of how bad that something is for your health. While there are side effects of quitting drinking, your life is worth it.

When an alcoholic decides to quit, they can experience some uncomfortable effects of stopping drinking. Symptoms can be experienced as soon as six hours after your last drink, and these side effects can feel like the end of the world to someone who has depended on alcohol for so long. Often, these symptoms worsen in the first two or three days of sobriety, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel after quitting drinking: Side effects of withdrawal might be unpleasant, but it’s worth it to get your life back.

What Are the Side Effects When You Stop Drinking Alcohol?

• After quitting drinking, some of the most common side effects include tremors, anxiety, nausea or vomiting, headaches, sweating, and high blood pressure.
• Personality changes can also occur when you stop drinking alcohol. You might become confused or irritable easily. You also may suffer from insomnia or nightmares as well as an increased heart rate.
• The most severe side effects of quitting drinking can include hallucinations, fever, and even seizures. Delirium tremens, or DT, may occur, which is characterized by extreme confusion or irritation and tactile or auditory hallucinations that may require hospitalization or medication to stop.

The effects of stopping drinking can be daunting, but you don’t have to suffer through them alone. Medically supervised detox programs can help keep you comfortable and safe during withdrawal, and you can find one when you speak with a counselor today. BetterAddictionCare can connect you with professional, customized addiction counseling programs across the nation that can help you get sober successfully. We work closely with cost-effective traditional and alternative rehab programs nationwide that are ready and willing to help you. To get the individualized care you need at a facility near you, call today or fill out our contact form.