Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

Imagine you’ve been drinking lots of coffee every day for a long time and then one day you suddenly decide to stop “cold turkey”. You might start to get headaches, or even feel a bit shaky or out of sorts. This is similar to what often happens to people who regularly drink a lot of alcohol and then suddenly stop. This is called Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS).

AWS can be tough to deal with, but the good news is recognizing the signs developing coping techniques and utilizing resources can help you get through it.

Symptoms

Some common AWS symptoms may include:

• Anxiety or nervousness
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Jumpiness or shakiness
• Mood swings
• Nightmares
• Not thinking clearly

More severe symptoms may include:

• Hallucinations
• Fever
• Seizures
• Severe confusion

Coping Mechanisms

Some common strategies to help cope with AWS may include:

• Medication: Healthcare providers can typically prescribe short-term medications to reduce or relieve the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
• Therapy and counseling: These can help the person understand their addiction and learn new coping strategies.
• Support groups: Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous can provide a community of individuals who understand the journey and can provide support and encouragement.
• Healthy lifestyle: Regular exercise, a balanced diet and adequate sleep can help manage stress and reduce cravings.
• Remove or limit temptation(s): Socialize and maintain relationships with people who understand and support your decision to stay away from alcohol. Sometimes, this might mean spending less time with certain friends or “drinking buddies” or avoiding situations where you might be tempted to drink.

Talking to someone who previously struggled with drinking, experienced AWS, successfully completed the recovery process and survived their AWS journey can also be really helpful.

Dangers and Health Risks

It’s crucial to understand that alcohol withdrawal can pose serious health risks and dangers to a person. It typically requires medical intervention and oversight to guide a person, ensuring their safety throughout the recovery process. One possible effect of alcohol withdrawal is Delirium Tremens, often shortened to DTs, which can occur when a person who regularly consumes alcohol suddenly stops. DTs can cause confusion, shaking, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there) and even seizures. It’s very serious and needs to be treated by a doctor right away. If you or someone you know is experiencing AWS, seek help from a healthcare professional immediately.

Resources

If you need help to quit or limit your drinking, the Department of Defense provides screenings to help identify what type of support you need and what treatment would work best for you. They offer inpatient, partial inpatient and outpatient treatment options.

Military OneSource
Support for Military Personnel & Families | Military OneSource is a DoD supported service offering 24/7 confidential support and are specialized in helping military members, families and veterans. Services are provided CONUS and OCONUS via call-in, live chat and text on their website and mobile app.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
You may also call the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free and confidential treatment referral and information service (provided in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders and is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Check out additional resources for Service members here.