According to data from a 2023 survey on drug and alcohol use by the NIAA, around 25 million individuals in the US meet the criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Many report using alcohol to wind down after work, relieve stress, cope with anxiety, fall asleep, and feel more social in party or group settings [1].
Alcohol use disorder, or alcohol addiction, is characterized by excessive drinking, inability to stop drinking despite harmful consequences, and cravings for alcohol. For some, quitting can feel impossible due to the intense physical withdrawal symptoms alcohol can cause when stopped. However, with supervised detox and professional treatment, recovery is achievable.
After making it through the withdrawal phase, many report several benefits of quitting alcohol, including better physical health, glowing skin, nails, and hair, improved mental well-being, and stronger relationships.
Read on to understand what happens after you stop drinking alcohol, including the timeline for withdrawal and the benefits that follow.
Understanding Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused substances in the US, as it’s legal, easily accessible, and normalized.
Alcohol can become an easy and socially acceptable coping mechanism for individuals with a family history of alcoholism, those who have experienced childhood trauma, people suffering from underlying mental health problems, or anyone facing life stressors such as divorce or grief. What might begin as a way to relax, numb emotional pain, or manage stress, can gradually develop into dependence or addiction.
Studies have also identified two genes (ADH1B and ALDH2) that affect the rate at which alcohol is metabolized, making some people have an increased tolerance and an increased risk of developing an alcohol addiction [2].
Alcohol is addictive because it causes quick spikes of the neurotransmitters GABA and dopamine, leading to feelings of calmness, euphoria, and relaxation. It also increases activity in the basal ganglia, a brain region that plays a role in reward processing, habit formation, pleasure, and motivation.
What is Alcohol Withdrawal?
Alcohol withdrawal is the set of physical and psychological symptoms that occur when a person who has been drinking regularly or heavily suddenly reduces or stops alcohol intake.
Over time, the brain adapts to alcohol’s depressant effects on the nervous system. Removing alcohol disrupts these effects, triggering the nervous system to go into overdrive. This can lead to symptoms ranging from mild anxiety and nausea to more severe complications such as seizures or hallucinations [3].
The intensity and duration of alcohol withdrawal depend on factors such as how much and how long a person has been drinking, overall health, and previous withdrawal experiences. In moderate to severe cases, medical supervision is essential to ensure safety and support recovery.
| Alcohol Withdrawal Effects On The Brain | Alcohol Withdrawal Effects On The Body |
| Cravings | Shakiness, dizziness, headache |
| Mood swings, irritability, aggression | Nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps |
| Depression, anxiety, emotional dysregulation | Inability to sleep, lack of appetite |
| Severe cases of paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions | Increased heart rate and blood pressure |
| Memory loss, brain fog, trouble with decision-making | In severe cases, seizures or delirious tremors (life-threatening) |
Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline
The alcohol withdrawal timeline varies for individuals and can be influenced by factors such as metabolism, length and frequency of alcohol use, and the presence of other drugs in the system or underlying medical conditions. However, the general timeline is as follows:
- 6 to 12 Hours After Last Drink: Mild anxiety or “the shakes”, nausea or upset stomach, headache, low energy or restlessness
- 24 Hours After Drinking: Symptoms rise in intensity and peak for some. Nausea, vomiting, anxiety, tremors, mood swings, aggression, and, in severe cases, visual or auditory hallucinations.
- 24 to 72 Hours After Last Drink: For some, symptoms may begin to lessen in intensity, but for those with a long history of chronic alcohol abuse, the risk of seizures or life-threatening delirium tremens can arise.
- 72+ Hours-2 Weeks: Physical withdrawal symptoms usually subside, heart rate and blood pressure return to normal, and sleep gradually improves. Mood swings and anxiety tend to linger.
- 2+ Weeks to Months (Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome, PAWS): For some long-term alcohol users, anxiety, cravings, mood swings, and fatigue can last for months even after acute symptoms have resolved. To prevent this and shorten the duration of this phase, it’s important to connect with continuing care after detox and build a solid support system.
The Importance of Supervised Detox for Alcohol Withdrawal
In the United States, less than 10% of people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) actually receive treatment. This is due to several factors, but one of them is the fear of detoxing from alcohol, as many who have tried on their own are unable to. This is where a supervised detox comes in and can be highly effective [4].
Supervised detox programs reduce discomfort and cravings by providing monitoring, medications, and supportive care from a licensed medical team. They also significantly reduce the risk of serious complications such as seizures and delirium tremens, while increasing the likelihood that individuals will continue into ongoing treatment and maintain recovery.
After Withdrawal and The Benefits of Quitting Drinking
Most individuals find that when they are able to make it past the initial withdrawal phase, find their feet in recovery, quit drinking, and overcome alcohol misuse, their life drastically changes for the better.
There are several benefits of quitting alcohol that positively impact health, emotional well-being, relationships, and even finances [5][6].
- Liver Recovery: The liver can start repairing fat deposits and inflammation within weeks, reducing long-term risk of fatty liver disease and cirrhosis.
- Protects Heart: Blood pressure drops, heart rate stabilizes, and risk of arrhythmias decreases.
- Less bloating: Alcohol is calorie-dense and causes water retention, and quitting often reduces bloating and belly fat.
- Immune System Boost: Alcohol suppresses the immune system, and quitting it can reduce the frequency or risk of colds, infections, and inflammation.
- Improved Mental Health: Many report less anxiety, better mood, better focus, and increased resilience to face stressful or challenging situations.
- Better Quality Sleep: Alcohol suppresses REM sleep, and quitting can lead to more restorative sleep cycles.
- Strengthened Relationships: Reduced aggression and fewer alcohol-induced arguments, improved emotional clarity and empathy.
- Save Money: Data show that quitting alcohol saves an average of $3,000 per year in the U.S. This includes money spent on alcohol-related costs, such as bar food, Uber, and entrance fees [7].
Evidence-Based Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment in Massachusetts
Trinity Wellness Group’s full-day and half-day treatment programs in Braintree, Massachusetts, offer an ideal structure for those struggling with alcohol use disorder and co-occurring mental health challenges.
Clients receive personalized plans incorporating medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for reducing cravings for alcohol, CBT, DBT coping skills workshops, EMDR for trauma processing, and group sessions that foster peer connections.
Contact us today to find support and begin treatment. Whether you are balancing classes, work, or campus life, care is structured to fit your needs.
Sources
[1] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. 2025. Alcohol Treatment in the United States.
[2] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. 2025. Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the United States: Age Groups and Demographic Characteristics.
[3] Edenberg, J. et al. (2007). The genetics of alcohol metabolism: role of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase variants. Alcohol research & health: the journal of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 30(1), 5–13.
[4] Mulholland, P. J. (2014). Neurochemical mechanisms of alcohol withdrawal. Handbook of clinical neurology, 125, 133–156.
[5] Casey, A. et al. (2021). Natural Recovery by the Liver and Other Organs after Chronic Alcohol Use. Alcohol research : current reviews, 41(1), 05.
[6] Butryn, L. et al. (2016). The relationship of alcohol use to weight loss in the context of behavioral weight loss treatment. Appetite, 99, 105–111.
[7] Newsweek. 2023. How Much Could You Save By Giving Up Alcohol?