Addiction Alcohol Use Withdrawal and Relapse How to Overcome a Fear of Alcohol Withdrawal After Quitting By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial process Buddy T Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on March 10, 2020 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on March 24, 2020 Print becon / Getty Images If you have wanted to quit drinking alcohol but were hesitant to do so because you feared that the withdrawal symptoms would be too severe, you are not alone. Many people are afraid that if they quit drinking, withdrawal symptoms could be difficult to manage, or even dangerous. You may have tried to quit drinking alcohol cold turkey and discovered that the symptoms you experienced were more severe than you anticipated. Maybe you decided to go back to drinking just to relieve those symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are the primary reason that many people quickly relapse when they attempt to quit. Managing Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal Make no mistake about it, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be severe, and in some cases fatal. If you are a daily drinker, a heavy drinker, or a frequent binge drinker, suddenly quitting will likely produce a wide range of uncomfortable symptoms. But there is help available for people trying to give up alcohol, even after a lifetime of heavy drinking. Treatments can greatly reduce or eliminate most of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol Withdrawal From Day 1 to Day 30 Treatments for Alcohol Withdrawal The best way to quit alcohol while avoiding unpleasant withdrawal symptoms is to ask for help. If you have decided that it is in your best interest to stop drinking, one option is to seek help from your family doctor or primary healthcare provider. There are specific medical treatments that will stop or reduce most of the symptoms you could experience if you quit cold turkey. Benzodiazepines (tranquilizers) are the main treatment for symptoms of withdrawal, like the shakes, and are also key to preventing serious complications such as delirium tremens (DTs). Your healthcare provider may also suggest vitamins and dietary changes help with your withdrawal symptoms. Treatment Options for Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Professional Detox Programs Another alternative, especially if you have experienced severe withdrawal in the past, is to check yourself into a professional detoxification facility. Detox programs involve short-term (usually less than seven days) inpatient treatment during which specially trained professionals monitor your withdrawal closely and administer medications as needed. One advantage of in-patient detox is that you will be away from your usual drinking triggers and therefore be less likely to pick up a drink to stop symptoms when they begin. You do not have to have reached a crisis point to check into detox. People voluntarily check in every day. A Word From Verywell If you need to quit drinking, don't let alcohol withdrawal scare you off. There are medications and treatments available that can help you get through those first early days of no alcohol consumption. You don't have to do it on your own. If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Attilia F, Perciballi R, Rotondo C, et al. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: Diagnostic and therapeutic methods. Riv Psichiatr. 2018;53(3):118-122. doi:10.1708/2925.29413 Sachdeva A, Choudhary M, Chandra M. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: Benzodiazepines and beyond. J Clin Diagn Res. 2015;9(9):VE01-VE07. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2015/13407.6538 Kattimani S, Bharadwaj B. Clinical management of alcohol withdrawal: A systematic review. Ind Psychiatry J. 2013;22(2):100-8. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.132914 Soravia L, Allemann P. [Benefits of specialized centers for the treatment of addictive disorders]. Ther Umsch. 2014;71(10):622-5. doi:10.1024/0040-5930/a000602 Additional Reading U.S. National Library of Medicine. Alcohol withdrawal. Updated August 4, 2020.