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For thousands of people suffering from alcohol addiction, stopping drinking abruptly is not always harmless. Doctors warn that abstinence without medical supervision can cause serious withdrawal symptoms, which in some cases are even life-threatening.
In the UK, an estimated 600,000 people, or about one in ten, are dependent on alcohol. After the festive period, when alcohol consumption increases, many try to suddenly stop drinking. While there are generally health benefits to reducing or stopping alcohol, experts warn that for those who are addicted, stopping abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms.
According to Dr. Andrew Kim, about half of people with alcohol addiction will experience withdrawal symptoms, which can occur very quickly, anywhere from 6 to 24 hours after their last drink. In most cases, the symptoms are mild to moderate and include tremors, nervousness, headaches, insomnia, rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and nausea or vomiting. These symptoms usually last a few days, but often lead people to return to alcohol, as they notice that their anxiety subsides as soon as they drink again.
However, in about one in five cases, the symptoms can be much more severe. One of these is alcohol withdrawal-related hallucinations, which usually appear 12–24 hours after cessation and can last up to a week. It involves visual, auditory, or false physical hallucinations and is considered an extremely stressful and frightening experience.
Among the most dangerous are epileptic seizures caused by withdrawal, which can occur from 6 to 72 hours after stopping alcohol and affect 10–30% of people with withdrawal syndrome. In these cases, immediate medical intervention is required.
The British National Health Service (NHS) recommends that people who are dependent on alcohol and find it difficult to function without it should not suddenly stop drinking without medical advice. In many cases, gradual reduction or support with pharmacological treatment is necessary to avoid serious complications.
The experts' message is clear: abstinence from alcohol can be beneficial for health, but for people with addiction, it must be done carefully, in a controlled manner, and under medical supervision.
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