Alcohol is a widely accepted legal drug that is difficult to escape in everyday life. It’s often present on regular social occasions. Because it is legal, many people do not view it as harmful, but that perception is misleading.
When someone stops drinking alcohol suddenly after long-term use, they often experience withdrawal. A common symptom is a headache, which can vary in how bad it feels and how long it lasts. These headaches result from the body adjusting to the absence of alcohol and can greatly affect a person’s daily life and health.
In this blog post, join us as our experts in The Orchid explore alcohol withdrawal headache and discuss how we can manage it effectively.
Understanding Alcohol Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms happen because the brain and central nervous system have become reliant on alcohol. When someone drinks alcohol regularly, their body gets used to it, and the person depends on alcohol to feel normal, happy, or relaxed.
If a person stops alcohol consumption suddenly, their body’s natural chemicals and hormones get disrupted because these are heavily influenced by long-term alcohol use. When alcohol is suddenly removed, withdrawal symptoms appear because the brain is now more active than usual. Most symptoms during alcohol detox are linked to this increased brain activity and will continue until the brain adjusts back to normal.
What Is Alcohol Withdrawal Headache?
When you quit drinking as part of the detox process, your brain experiences shock as it tries to find balance without alcohol. It can lead to headaches, which are common signs of withdrawal. At first, these headaches might be mild, but they can become much worse about three days after the last drink. Sometimes, these withdrawal headaches can last for weeks, months, or even years, especially due to PAWS (post-acute withdrawal syndrome). Alcohol detox can also cause other headache types, like tension headaches, cluster headaches, and even migraines.
How Long Does Alcohol Withdrawal Headache Last?
Alcohol withdrawal headaches typically begin four to six hours after stopping consuming alcohol and may persist for approximately three days. In instances of more severe withdrawal, these headaches can endure for an extended period. Individuals suffering from severe headaches due to alcohol withdrawal that extend beyond a few days are strongly encouraged to seek prompt medical attention from a qualified healthcare professional, as this could potentially impair daily functioning.
Causes Of Alcohol Withdrawal
Headaches often occur during alcohol withdrawal because of changes in brain chemicals. Long-term alcohol use affects neurotransmitter levels such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate. When someone suddenly stops drinking, the brain reacts, which often leads to headaches due to the imbalance of these chemicals.
Another common cause of headaches after drinking or during withdrawal is dehydration. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, which increases urination and raises the risk of dehydration. When dehydration happens, especially with the loss of electrolytes from drinking, it can result in severe headaches.
Other Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms frequently occur in individuals who have difficulty with quitting alcohol. People who experience alcohol withdrawal typically experience excessive sweating, tremors in the hands, insomnia, nausea or vomiting, and some psychotic symptoms like hallucinations, agitation, anxiety, and even seizures.
The severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms can escalate rapidly and require prompt medical intervention. Among the most serious withdrawal symptoms is delirium tremens (DT), characterized by shaking, hallucinations, and nausea. If left untreated, DT carries an approximately 5 to 15% mortality rate.
Timeline Of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Alcohol detox is an essential part of treatment for people with alcohol addiction. It usually lasts about a week for the body to completely remove alcohol. However, withdrawal experiences vary from person to person. Some people handle it well, while others may feel the effects for months. Many factors influence how the body deals with alcohol withdrawal, but it typically goes through certain stages.
Six to 12 Hours
Individuals experiencing alcohol dependence generally start to exhibit symptoms of alcohol withdrawal approximately six hours following their last consumption of alcohol. Initially, these withdrawal symptoms tend to be relatively mild; however, they progressively intensify as time passes. Common manifestations of withdrawal may encompass a combination of psychological and physical symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, sweating, diminished appetite, nausea, and tremors.
12 to 24 Hours
After 12 hours without alcohol, people usually begin to feel stronger symptoms of withdrawal. At this stage, a person might have headaches or migraines, cold sweats or night sweats, face cognitive issues like brain fog, struggle with sleep, feel moody, vomit, suffer from depression, have nightmares or vivid dreams, and even experience hallucinations.
24 to 36 Hours
In this phase of alcohol detox, the intensity of withdrawal symptoms become more intense. These severe symptoms may manifest as hallucinations and noticeable mood changes.
36 To 72 Hours
Heavy drinkers who suddenly stop drinking can face a serious and potentially deadly condition known as delirium tremens (DTs). This happens in about 15% of people who are dependent on alcohol. Without proper treatment, the risk of death from DTs can reach up to 20%.
DTs usually appear 2-3 days after quitting alcohol. Symptoms include fever, dehydration, sweating, vomiting, severe shaking, high blood pressure, extreme drowsiness, loss of consciousness, sensitivity to light and sound, psychotic symptoms, seizures, confusion, nightmares, and restlessness.
Treatment For Alcohol Withdrawal Headache
Dealing with alcohol withdrawal headaches can be challenging, but there are ways to ease the discomfort. Staying hydrated is one of the most effective methods. While medical help can provide fluids, you can also drink more water or electrolyte-rich sports drinks. Focus on getting enough sodium and magnesium to fight dehydration.
In addition to hydration, make sure to eat a balanced diet and take a good rest. Foods rich in nutrients can help keep blood sugar levels stable, which may reduce headaches. Avoid processed foods that can trigger headaches. Good nutrition and enough rest are essential during detox and can lessen headache intensity.
Lastly, using stress-relief methods like exercise, meditation, and deep breathing can help with headaches. Mindfulness practices are particularly effective for relieving tension and promoting relaxation, which makes them good options for headaches from alcohol withdrawal.
Begin Your Addiction Treatment With Us
Managing headaches during alcohol withdrawal requires a comprehensive treatment program that looks at different factors. Staying hydrated, living a healthy lifestyle, handling stress, and getting professional help can help people deal with headaches and other symptoms during this time.
If you or someone you know is facing alcohol withdrawal headaches or alcohol use disorder, The Orchid is ready to assist. Our detox programs, supervised by medical professionals, offer the care and support necessary for a safe detox. Reach out to us today to find out how we can help.
