Alcohol & Health
Treatment
Helping Alcoholics
Medically Reviewed by Dr P. E. Pancoast, MD
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Alcohol withdrawal headaches and dizziness commonly occur during the first 6 to 24 hours after stopping excessive alcohol consumption. The intensity of these symptoms depends on the person.
Along with headaches and dizziness, the following symptoms of alcohol withdrawal may occur during alcohol addiction recovery:
Withdrawal can take a toll on your body. It can cause changes in blood pressure, contributing to symptoms such as dizziness and headaches.
Alcohol withdrawal headaches and dizziness usually happen due to:
Eliminating alcohol from your system can be a challenging task, resulting in alcohol withdrawal headaches. Irregular sleep, anxiety, and some detox medications could cause this symptom.
Your genetics can also play a part in getting withdrawal-related dizziness or headaches. If you’re genetically predisposed to headaches, there’s a higher chance you’ll also experience them during withdrawal.
The duration of alcohol withdrawal headaches varies. Some people may experience mild withdrawal symptoms during the first 7 days of detox. Withdrawal headaches typically reach their peak by the third day and fade away over time.
Alcohol withdrawal headaches are one of the most common symptoms of the withdrawal process. They’re also usually the first to go away. However, you might experience headaches again during the rest of the withdrawal process.
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Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a spectrum of symptoms that occur when alcohol-dependent people abruptly stop alcohol consumption. People who aren’t dependent on alcohol won’t experience AWS.
The timeline for alcohol withdrawal typically lasts several days to a few weeks. In rare cases, people experiencing alcohol withdrawal may show signs of its more severe form, delirium tremens (DTs).
The following symptoms characterize DTs:
DTs can be life-threatening. Over 15% to 40% of people die despite appropriate treatment.
Medical professionals administer medication to ease symptoms or sedate the person in these cases. Sedation prevents injury and exhaustion.
Alcohol withdrawal occurs due to complex changes in the brain. Prolonged alcohol misuse changes the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate.
When you abruptly stop your alcohol intake, it disrupts these neurotransmitters again. As your brain tries to readjust to the absence of alcohol, withdrawal symptoms like headaches and dizziness begin.
During alcohol withdrawal, the brain responds to the sudden lack of alcohol’s inhibitory effects. It releases substances like serotonin and norepinephrine in larger quantities than usual.
The abrupt change results in hyperexcitability and overstimulation, leading to withdrawal symptoms. If the brain fails to readjust, it results in a dangerous change in how it regulates the body’s circulation and breathing, causing DTs.
Overall, a person’s experience with alcohol withdrawal depends on several factors, including:
These factors can affect how a person’s body reacts to the sudden absence of alcohol. They also affect how a person will mentally respond to the challenge of the withdrawal process, impacting their recovery timeline.
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The general timeline for alcohol withdrawal symptoms is as follows:
During the first 6 to 12 hours, a person might experience:
The second stage might include a continuation of the first stage and other symptoms like dehydration, hallucinations, and appetite loss. The second stage occurs 12 to 24 hours after completely stopping alcohol consumption.
The third stage is the most critical part of alcohol withdrawal. It typically occurs 2 to 3 days after ceasing alcohol consumption.
Symptoms like low blood sugar levels, irritability, and seizures might occur. A person can also be at risk for developing DTs, which can be fatal.
Stage four is the last stage of alcohol withdrawal. At this point, most of the physical symptoms should be gone or are beginning to go away.
A person could begin to feel the mental challenges of recovery, which include depression, anxiety, anger, confusion, and restlessness. During this time, joining a support group or attending behavioral therapy can be helpful.
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Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) is also known as prolonged or protracted withdrawal syndrome. It often occurs after the alcohol withdrawal period and once the physical symptoms have stopped.
Professionals aren’t entirely sure why people experience PAWS. However, they hypothesize it’s related to the brain's chronic changes during excessive drug or alcohol use.
PAWS can take years to resolve, if ever. Scientists believe it also significantly reduces the brain’s capacity to endure stress.
The most common symptoms of PAWS include:
These symptoms can last from a few months to several years. 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.
There are no specific treatments for alcohol withdrawal headaches. But it’s best to stay hydrated during the recovery process.
Benefits of hydration include:
Seeking medical help during detox is also essential to a successful recovery. It’s common for medical professionals to administer medication to help people through withdrawal.
Common medications include anti-anxiety drugs and beta-blockers that reduce tremors and slow the heart rate.
In some cases, a medically assisted detox makes alcohol withdrawal more manageable. Medical professionals administer fluids and medications during medically assisted detox to help control severe withdrawal symptoms. They also normalize vital signs and stop seizure activity to help restore brain chemistry and body functions.
This kind of detox is ideal for anyone going through alcohol withdrawal. It’s much safer than enduring the process alone at home. Medical professionals will be present to handle the situation if you experience any complications.
Medically assisted detox is best for those with a long history of alcohol abuse. People with previous negative experiences with withdrawal are also good candidates for this kind of detox.
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