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Alcohol Withdrawal


Alcohol withdrawal is a group of symptoms that occur when you drink alcohol daily and suddenly stop drinking. It can begin within 5 hours of your last drink and gets worse over 2 to 3 days. Withdrawal may also happen if you suddenly reduce the amount of alcohol that you normally drink.


Informed consent


Psychiatric assessment:




You may need extra oxygen



  • Sedatives may be given to calm you and help manage your symptoms.

  • Anticonvulsant medicine may be given to control seizures.

  • Vitamin supplements may be recommended because high alcohol intake can keep your body from absorbing enough vitamins from food. Thiamine is a vitamin that can also help to manage withdrawal symptoms.


A neurologic exam is also called neuro signs, neuro checks, or neuro status. A neurologic exam can show healthcare providers how well your brain works during alcohol withdrawal. Healthcare providers will check how your pupils react to light. They may check your memory, balance, and hand grasp.


Blood or urine tests may be needed to check the amount of alcohol in your body. The tests can also show if you have low levels of vitamins and electrolytes, or organ damage. The liver and pancreas are commonly damaged by alcohol.


You may act out violently when you go through alcohol withdrawal. You may harm yourself and others. You can have high fevers, abnormal heartbeats, and hallucinations. Severe alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening.



