Is it safe for me to stop drinking?
For most people, yes, with the right support. But if your body has come to depend on alcohol, stopping suddenly can be dangerous. Here's how to tell.
Call 999 if someone stopping drinking:
- has a fit (seizure)
- becomes confused, or doesn't know where they are
- sees, hears or feels things that aren't there
- has a high temperature, a racing heart and is very agitated
- can't be woken, or is very drowsy
Are you physically dependent?
When you drink heavily every day, your body adapts to alcohol being there. When the alcohol is taken away, your body reacts. These are the warning signs:
- You drink every day, or almost every day.
- You feel shaky, sweaty, sick or anxious in the morning or after a few hours without a drink.
- You have a drink in the morning to feel "normal" or steady your hands.
- You've had a fit, or seen things, when you stopped drinking before.
If any of these apply to you, don't stop suddenly, and don't try to cut down very quickly on your own. Talk to your GP or local alcohol service first. Stopping safely is very possible, with the right plan.
Withdrawal symptoms
Symptoms range from mild to severe, and they can get worse with each withdrawal you go through. Common ones are:
- shaking ("the shakes"), from trembling hands to the whole body
- sweating, feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, headaches
- a fast pulse
- anxiety, irritability, restlessness, a sense of dread, especially on waking
- being very sensitive to noise and light
- poor sleep and vivid dreams
Severe withdrawal can cause fits and a dangerous state called delirium tremens ("the DTs"), with confusion, hallucinations and fever. This is a medical emergency.
The usual timeline
| Time since last drink | What can happen |
|---|---|
| 6 to 12 hours | Shakes, sweating, nausea, anxiety and headache can begin. |
| 12 to 48 hours | Symptoms build. The risk of fits is highest in this window. |
| 2 to 3 days | Symptoms usually peak. This is when delirium tremens can develop. |
| About a week | Physical symptoms usually ease. |
| Weeks to months | Sleep, mood and concentration can take longer to settle. Cravings come and go. |
Everyone is different. This is a guide, not a promise.
How to stop safely
- Talk to your GP or local alcohol service. Be honest about how much you drink. They've heard it all before, and they need the real numbers to keep you safe.
- Agree a plan. Depending on how much you drink and your health, that might be a gradual reduction, or a planned detox with medication, at home or in hospital.
- Get support around you. Detox at home usually needs someone with you for the first few days.
- Plan what comes next. Detox gets you through withdrawal. Staying stopped needs ongoing support. See getting help.
Talk to your GP
Your GP can check your health, refer you to your local alcohol service and, if needed, prescribe medication to make withdrawal safe. Many local alcohol services also let you refer yourself.