What Happens During Detox? Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Explained

Quitting alcohol can be one of the greatest challenges a person ever faces. For many people, the body has become so used to alcohol’s presence that its absence triggers a cacophony of withdrawal symptoms, ranging from uncomfortable to potentially life-threatening.

If you or someone you love is considering quitting alcohol, let this be the first step towards doing it safely and starting your lasting recovery.

What is alcohol detox?

Detox is the shorthand name given to the process of detoxification. In terms of substance addiction treatment, detoxification is defined as the clearing of toxins from the body of the patient who is acutely intoxicated and/or dependent on substances of abuse. Detoxification seeks to minimise the physical harm caused by the abuse of substances.

Detox, for many, is the point where the first door to recovery is opened. Physical dependence on a substance is dissolved, and the sober future they want starts to take shape. However, detox is not without its tribulations, both on the body and mind.

Depending on factors like duration of use and the addiction’s severity, the detox process can range from mild to severe, with some potentially dangerous complications that will require medical attention. The complex nature of detox and withdrawal means that going it alone often carries more risks than many people realise.

What are the most common alcohol withdrawal symptoms?

The detoxification process contains a myriad of symptoms, ranging from uncomfortable to extremely distressing. These symptoms generally happen because your brain and body have grown used to having alcohol’s constant presence. When it is suddenly removed, the nervous system can go into overdrive, and symptoms ensue. These can include:

Mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms

These are the symptoms many people first notice when alcohol use ceases. While not always dangerous on their own, they will still present an obstacle that makes early sobriety very challenging:

• Anxiety and irritability
• Rapid mood swings
• Fatigue and low energy
• Insomnia and broken sleep
• Nausea and vomiting
• Varying degrees of reduced appetite
• Sweating, clammy skin, or headaches
• Rapid heartbeat or shaky hands

Severe and dangerous withdrawal symptoms

In more serious cases, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can escalate to symptoms that are dangerous if left untreated. These can include:

• Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren’t there)
• High fever with excessive perspiration
• Severe disorientation, confusion, or agitation
• Seizures

Delirium tremens: the most serious risk

Delirium tremens (often called DTs) is the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal. It’s rare but extremely dangerous, affecting around 1–5% of those going through withdrawal.

DTs are marked by intense confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, seizures, and dangerously high blood pressure or heart rate. Without urgent medical support, DTs can be fatal, which is why any severe withdrawal symptoms should never be ignored.

What drives alcohol withdrawal symptoms in detox?

To understand why detox can be such an intense process, it helps to look at what alcohol does to the brain and body over time. Alcohol is a depressant, meaning it slows down brain activity and dampens signals in the nervous system. To compensate, your brain gradually adjusts its chemistry, producing fewer calming chemicals (like GABA) and boosting stimulating ones (like glutamate).

Your body and mind grow accustomed to having alcohol in the system. When alcohol is suddenly removed, the brain doesn’t instantly rebalance. Instead, it remains in a state of hyperactivity, flooded with confusing signals. This overdrive is what causes the shaking hands, racing heart, anxiety, and insomnia that are so common during withdrawal.

In severe cases, the nervous system’s overreaction spirals into debilitating seizures or delirium tremens. The innate potential dangers ensure that detox shouldn’t just be seen as “waiting the problem out.” The systems that alcohol has disrupted are struggling to stabilise, making medical support essential for a completely safe withdrawal.

What factors affect withdrawal severity?

It can be difficult and even frightening to read about how severe alcohol withdrawal can be. It is crucial to keep in mind that each person’s detoxification and withdrawal is personal to them. One person may experience a suite of differing symptoms from someone else. Symptoms and their intensity will depend on a range of medical factors, including:

• Drinking history, frequency, and volume: The longer and heavier a person has been drinking, the more their body has adapted to, and grown to depend on, alcohol’s presence. This typically means that withdrawal will be more severe for those with a long-term, heavy addiction.
• Co-occurring health conditions: A multitude of pre-existing health conditions will influence the withdrawal process. Conditions like liver disease, heart problems or mental health issues will almost certainly complicate withdrawal and make detox more dangerous.
• Previous withdrawal episodes: People who have already been through detoxification and withdrawal may be more likely to experience stronger symptoms in future attempts. This is called the ‘kindling effect,’ wherein withdrawal symptoms worsen with each repeated instance of stopping and relapsing.
• Age and general well-being: Now, more broadly speaking, a person’s general health and well-being will influence the detoxification process. Younger, otherwise healthy people will generally cope better with alcohol’s withdrawal symptoms, while older adults or people with poor nutrition or chronic illness face greater risks.

These factors make alcohol withdrawal a generally unpredictable process. Though you may worry about how severe your symptoms may be, it is always best to speak with professional treatment providers, as their insights will give you a clear picture of what to expect.

What is the safest way to quit alcohol?

Quitting alcohol is not always safe to do alone. It often demands that you protect both your body and mind as they get used to life without alcohol in your system. Many people are tempted to go ‘cold turkey’, suddenly ceasing drinking and fighting through withdrawal symptoms alone, no matter the cost.

The safest option is through a professional detox provider, where trained treatment specialists monitor your symptoms and step in immediately if complications arise. Many treatment providers are able to assist you as you detox with medications to mitigate withdrawal symptoms. For example, treatments such as benzodiazepines are often prescribed to reduce the risk of seizures. Treatment providers can work with your GP to help you with medications that ease your withdrawal process.

Beyond the physical risks, detoxing with expert support means you can access emotional and psychological care. Counsellors and therapists are there to help manage cravings and start building the coping skills needed for lasting recovery.

It is often the case that when we read about the severity of detox, our mind paints a worrying picture of what our process will look like. We often imagine a darker and more painful experience than the way it will actually go, and in this case, it is always best to speak with a treatment provider and explore your treatment options first.

Detoxing alone may feel like the braver choice, but in reality, the safer option is seeking help. Please remember that asking for help is not a weakness, but a sign of strength, and shows that you’ve given a name to your trouble.

Where can I get help for alcohol withdrawal?

If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol withdrawal, please remember that help is out there, and you don’t need to struggle alone.

With the right support behind you, you can move beyond alcohol dependence and begin to rebuild the life you always wanted, free from the confines of addiction. Reach out to UKAT today. The first step towards quitting alcohol safely could be the start of a brighter future.