If you are physically dependent on alcohol, stopping suddenly can lead to severe withdrawal including confusion, hallucinations or seizures. Seek medical advice before trying to stop if you get withdrawal symptoms or think you may be dependent.[NHS]
You can use the sections below to go deeper, or jump using “On this page”.
What is withdrawal?
Withdrawal is a group of symptoms that can occur when a substance your body has adapted to is reduced or stopped. The symptoms and risks depend on the substance, dose, duration, pattern of use, other medicines, physical health and previous withdrawal history.
Withdrawal risk is not the same for every substance or every person.
If you are unsure whether stopping suddenly is safe, seek clinical advice rather than guessing.
Some symptoms may be uncomfortable but are not usually medically dangerous. Individual assessment still matters.
Repeated withdrawal, heavy use, other medicines or health conditions can change risk.
Alcohol and sedative withdrawal can cause severe complications and may require medically supported withdrawal.
Alcohol
Symptoms can include anxiety, sweating, tremor, nausea, sleep disturbance and a racing heartbeat. Severe withdrawal can include marked agitation, confusion, hallucinations and seizures. NHS guidance advises people who experience withdrawal symptoms to get medical help before trying to stop drinking.
Benzodiazepines and sedative medicines
Some sedative medicines can also cause clinically important withdrawal, particularly after regular use. A planned reduction may be needed rather than abrupt cessation. Speak to the prescriber, GP or another appropriate clinician.
Opioids
Opioid withdrawal can be very distressing. Treatment services may use medicines such as methadone or buprenorphine as part of a structured treatment plan. After a period of abstinence, tolerance can fall, increasing overdose risk if a person returns to a previous dose.
What this page is anchored to
We summarise guidance in original plain English. Open the primary sources if you want to check the underlying recommendations.
When to get urgent help
Call 999 or go to A&E for a seizure, severe confusion, hallucinations with severe withdrawal, unconsciousness, serious breathing difficulty, suspected life-threatening overdose or another immediate medical emergency.
This page provides general educational information and does not replace assessment or advice from a healthcare professional. If you are worried about severe withdrawal, overdose, immediate danger or a mental health emergency, use our urgent help guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Withdrawal is a group of physical or psychological symptoms that can occur when a substance the body has adapted to is reduced or stopped.
Seizures, severe confusion, hallucinations, collapse, breathing difficulty or other severe symptoms need urgent medical attention. Alcohol and sedative withdrawal can be particularly dangerous.
Some people can have community-based withdrawal support, while others need more intensive medical monitoring. The safest setting depends on the substance, severity, previous withdrawals, physical health and support available.