Alcohol Withdrawal Information
What You Can Expect
Once you stop drinking, expect your body to go through some sensations while your brain is
adjusting back to a normal state without alcohol. The majority of people begin to experience
tremors or shakes about five to ten hours after their last drink. These symptoms do not last long
and are usually gone within one to two days. The most common symptoms of alcohol
withdrawal include sweating, tremor, nausea, vomiting, headache, loss of appetite, low grade
fever, increase pulse, anxiety, mood changes and difficulty with sleep.
Less likely complications of alcohol withdrawal include:
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Alcoholic Hallucinosis which generally starts twelve to twenty hours after the last drink
and last up to two days. People with Alcoholic Hallucinosis describe seeing, hearing or
feeling things that are not there, such as crawling insects. If you hallucinate and it is not
relieved with the medication you have been provided, you should contact the program.
Alcohol withdrawal seizure. This is very rare and generally happens within 24 hours after
the last drink. Medications are provided to prevent this problem. If a seizure occurs you
should call an ambulance and go to the nearest emergency department. Do not drive
yourself.
The most dangerous problem is delirium tremens (DTs). This condition generally begins
two to three days after the last drink. The purpose of treating alcohol withdrawal is to
prevent the DTs. The symptoms of DTs are confusion, irrational beliefs, agitation,
sweats and hallucinations. People with DTs can get dehydrated. If symptoms of DTs
become obvious, contact the program or proceed to the nearest emergency department.
Do not drive yourself.
Directions for Taking Your Medications:
The medications you have been prescribed are used to prevent and manage the symptoms of
alcohol withdrawal. The medication should not be taken for at least six hours after your last
drink. The objective of taking Diazepam is to produce light sedation and to promote sleep at
night.
The healthcare team has advised you as to what symptoms you should take the medication for
and are as follows:
Take Diazepam for a sense of anxiety, agitation, tremor or sweats* or other symptoms as
instructed. The objective is to produce light sedation and to initiate sleep at night.
Day 1
One tablet (10 mg)
every 4 to 6 hours
as needed based on
symptoms*
Maximum 6 tablets
(60 mg)
Client 2 28 May 2010 v1
Day 2
One tablet (10 mg)
every 6 to 8 hours
as needed
Maximum 4 tablets
(40 mg)
Day 3
One tablet (10 mg)
every 12 hours as
needed
Maximum 2 tablets
(20 mg)
Day 4
One tablet (10 mg) at
bedtime as needed
How I Can Manage My Symptoms:
Thiamine - one tablet (100 mg) daily for five days –a vitamin that is lacking with alcohol abuse
Multivitamin one daily for a minimum of five days
Symptom
Headache and Temperature
Bone Aches
Nausea and Vomiting
Diarrhea
Indigestion
Muscle Cramps
Recommended Medication
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 500 mg every 4-6
hours as needed. Maximum 6 tablets in 24
hours.
Use with caution in impaired liver function.
Ibuprofen (Motrin) 400 mg every 4-6 hours as
needed. Do not use if allergic to Aspirin or if
your have a history of ulcers.
Gravol (Dimenhydrinate) 50-100 mg
every 4-6 hours as needed.
Maximum 300 mg in 24 hrs.
Imodium 2 mg - 2 tabs by mouth with first
watery BM, then 2 mg after each loose BM
Maximum 8 mg in 24 hours.
OR
Kaopectate 60 ml every 2 hours as needed.
Maximum 6 doses in 24 hrs
Tums 2 tablets four times per day or antacid of
choice
Calcium carbonate 500 mg
(1 regular strength TUMS)
1 tablet four times per day for 5 days
What I Should Eat and Drink:
Drink plenty of electrolyte rich (sodium and potassium) and sugar containing fluids
 regular Gatorade or other sports drinks
 hydration is important
Eat mild foods and avoid spicy or heavy/fatty foods
Avoid:
 don’t limit to straight water as it contains no electrolytes
 diet drinks; they don’t have sugar
 caffeine (coffee); it has a dehydrating effect
 long hot bathes, showers or saunas
 exercise, this will increase blood pressure and heart rate and cause fluid loss
Client 2 28 May 2010 v1