Many people experience withdrawal symptoms after stopping marijuana, especially after daily or near-daily use. If you or a loved one is experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms, don’t go through it alone. Contact First City Recovery today to learn how we can support your path toward a healthier, alcohol-free life. Medications for mental disorders are used to address co-occurring mental health conditions alongside substance use treatment. Treatment for co-occurring disorders often requires a comprehensive approach that includes both therapy and medication management.
Sleep Disruptions: Poor sleep quality after quitting alcohol can contribute to headache frequency
With compassionate, professional care, individuals and families can move forward with hope, stability, and the tools needed to build a healthier, more fulfilling future. We focus on treating the underlying causes of your addiction, addressing your mental health, and preparing you for a fulfilling, sober life. People prone to migraines or tension-type headaches are more likely to get triggered by stimulants like caffeine or sugar fluctuations found in energy drinks. Sugar-free energy drinks use artificial sweeteners such as sucralose or aspartame. Some people report headaches after consuming these additives due to individual sensitivities or allergic reactions.
- The main management for severe symptoms is long-acting benzodiazepines — typically IV diazepam or IV lorazepam.
- Practicing stress-reduction techniques such as yoga, mindfulness, or progressive muscle relaxation can help manage these symptoms.
- If headaches persist or worsen, consulting a healthcare professional is advisable to rule out underlying issues.
Caffeinated Drinks (Excessive Consumption or Withdrawal)
Our experienced team monitors your progress, manages symptoms with appropriate medications, and provides the therapeutic support you need for lasting recovery. Whether you need inpatient care or outpatient services, we develop personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique circumstances. Contact Tennessee Behavioral Health today to learn how we can help you overcome alcohol addiction safely and build a healthier future. Quitting alcohol cold turkey without medical supervision isn’t safe for everyone. If you’re a heavy drinker, you risk severe withdrawal symptoms like seizures, hallucinations, and delirium tremens (DTs), which can be fatal if untreated. DTs affect 5-15% of cases and carry a 37% fatality rate without proper care.
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
They can also disappear for an extended period and then return later. Highly stressful situations usually trigger PAWS symptoms, but symptoms can reoccur without apparent triggers. Prolonged alcohol misuse changes the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate. UT San Antonio Health Science Center is the academic health center of The University of Texas at San Antonio.
How Long for Alcohol Detox?-Symptoms, Treatment & Timeline
This huge change in lifespan is due to the numerous medical problems that alcohol can cause. Heavy alcohol use can affect the health of your heart, brain, kidneys, liver, pancreas and digestive tract. Stopping alcohol can reduce many of these risks, potentially adding decades to your life expectancy. DTs can develop in anyone who meets the criteria for heavy alcohol use.
The only cause of DTs is withdrawal that happens when someone with alcohol use disorder stops drinking alcohol suddenly. They usually appear between one and three days after your last drink and are Alcohol Withdrawal usually most intense four to five days after your last drink. During this initial phase, you might notice anxiety, shaking, headache, nausea, vomiting, and sweating. These early symptoms can be mild, but they signal that your body is beginning to react to the absence of alcohol. Taking the first step toward healing can be challenging, but you’re not alone.
- But once the caffeine effect fades or if you suddenly stop consuming it after regular intake, blood vessels dilate again—sometimes causing throbbing headaches.
- These headaches can range from mild, tension-like discomfort to severe migraines, often accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound.
- Symptoms can last from a few days to several weeks, with the most severe symptoms (like delirium tremens) occurring within the first 48–72 hours.
- The goal is to reduce discomfort and prevent relapse during the toughest windows, especially evenings and bedtime.
Detox programs emphasize safety, symptom management, and clear transition planning into ongoing treatment environments designed to support continuity of care. No, one month without alcohol can’t reverse permanent cirrhosis scarring. Cirrhosis involves irreversible damage where scar tissue has replaced healthy liver cells. However, you’ll still experience meaningful benefits, your liver enzymes begin normalizing within 4-8 weeks, and inflammation and fat levels start decreasing within 2-4 weeks.
Side effects of medication include drowsiness, dizziness, headache, irritability, nystagmus, and respiratory depression (Drugs.com, 2025). Vitals should be assessed every 4 hours, and within an hour of administration. Other medications used include benzodiazepines, Acamprosate, and Disulfiram. Not everyone who stops drinking will experience severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms, but certain factors increase your risk.
Respect boundaries and personal choices.
Alcohol affects neurotransmitters in the brain—chemical messengers that regulate mood, movement, and bodily functions. Chronic drinking causes the brain to adapt by changing receptor sensitivity. Symptoms of intoxication vary depending on the individual’s tolerance, quantity of alcohol consumed, and the time after the last use. Let Moving Mountains Recovery help you climb to a brighter, healthier future—one day at a time. Our licensed professionals provide 24/7 medical monitoring to ensure your safety through the most critical phases of detox. At Moving Mountains Recovery, we focus on creating personalized care plans to ensure you receive the best possible support during detox.
