Can Alcohol Withdrawal Kill You? Find Answers and Help

Yes, alcohol withdrawal can kill you. In fact, alcohol withdrawal can kill you in several different ways, especially as a result of seizures and a condition known as delirium tremens (DT).

Alcohol is considered one of the most, if not the most, dangerous drugs to withdraw from because of the high likelihood of severe complications and death. Studies have found that between 4% and 6.6% of patients, or 1 in 15 to 25 patients, who enter hospital care with alcohol withdrawal die as a result.

This is why medically supervised alcohol detox is critically important for those with an alcohol use disorder who have decided to quit drinking.

In this article, we’ll dive deeper into what causes alcohol withdrawal, why it’s so deadly, and steps you can take to ensure the safest detox possible.

Understanding Alcohol Withdrawal

When an individual consumes alcohol, their body becomes accustomed to its presence. Eventually, their body will become so accustomed to the presence of alcohol that it will no longer be able to function “normally” without it.

If that individual stops consuming alcohol or reduces their dose, they will experience a collection of highly unpleasant and potentially deadly symptoms known as alcohol withdrawal as their body struggles to adapt in its return to normal functioning. These symptoms may be psychological, physiological, or both.

The longer an individual has been drinking and the more that they drink, the worse their withdrawal will be. While most alcohol withdrawal symptoms are comparatively mild, like headaches or nausea, some symptoms are much more dangerous.

“See a doctor and be honest about your drinking history so they can determine the safeness and severity of your withdrawal,” says psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) Valerie Puffenberger. “Sudden stopping of heavy drinking can cause serious health complications.”

Although alcohol withdrawal can kill in multiple ways, two examples in particular are of greatest concern. Both are caused by the central nervous system going into overdrive after the removal of alcohol from the system:

• Seizures: These can be fatal in several ways, including brain damage, accidental injury, and blood loss.
• Delirium tremens: This is the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal and can also be fatal in several ways, including cardiovascular issues, respiratory failure, and severe electrolyte imbalances.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Every case of alcohol withdrawal is different and based on many personal and situational factors, such as overall medical health and severity of the alcohol use disorder. However, some symptoms are significantly more common than others.

Common physical or physiological symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:

• Tremors or shaking
• Excessive sweating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• Elevated heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Insomnia or disturbed sleep
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Seizures

Common psychological symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:

• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Difficulty concentrating
• Restlessness
• Confusion
• Auditory or visual hallucinations
• Delirium tremens
• Suicidal thoughts

Again, it is critically important that those going through alcohol withdrawal seek medical care because of the comparatively high likelihood of deadly symptoms developing. For the same reason, it is critical that those who are quitting drinking and those around them, including friends, family, and medical professionals, can recognize the signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

“Severe tremors, racing heart rate, extreme anxiety, hallucinations, disorientation, and seizures can indicate dangerous alcohol withdrawal that requires emergency care,” says Puffenberger.

Potentially Deadly Alcohol Withdrawal Complications: How Alcohol Withdrawal Can Kill You

It can’t be overstated: Anyone with an alcohol use disorder who’s considering quitting drinking should do so under medical supervision because of the fatal complications withdrawal can bring.

Delirium Tremens (DT)

Delirium tremens, often known as DT or “the shakes,” is the most severe and dangerous form of alcohol withdrawal. Typified by sudden and severe changes in the nervous system, delirium tremens is responsible for symptoms like visual and auditory hallucinations, severe confusion, fever, rapid heartbeat, and intense agitation.

DT usually appears within one to four days of the strongest (acute) withdrawal symptoms.

Delirium tremens can kill in several ways, including via a range of cardiovascular complications, respiratory failure, and electrolyte imbalances.

When left untreated, DT has a mortality rate of up to 37%. In other words, more than 1 in 3 people who do not receive treatment for DT will die.

Seizures

Alcohol withdrawal seizures can occur between six and 48 hours after the patient’s last drink. These seizures are typified by uncontrolled and often violent shaking and convulsions. Seizures are not generally fatal, but they can cause many potentially fatal consequences.

For example, seizures commonly cause head injuries that can lead to fatal brain damage, or they may cause the victim to bite their tongue and mouth to the point where they bleed to death. Seizures can also indirectly cause fatal events like traffic accidents, and they may lead to respiratory distress or other complications.

The frequency and severity of seizures increase with the number of past alcohol withdrawals. So, if you or your loved one has gone through alcohol withdrawal many times before, the chances and intensity of seizures will be higher.

Cardiac Issues

Alcohol withdrawal can cause a wide range of cardiac issues, including elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, heart palpitations, chest pain, and irregular heart rhythms. If left untreated, the result can be heart failure, heart attack, respiratory failure, and other potentially fatal complications.

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by a vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency most commonly associated with long-term, chronic alcohol misuse. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is typified by symptoms such as confusion, ataxia, vision changes, and severe memory impairment.

While Wernicke-Korsakoff does not directly cause death during withdrawal, it can cause long-term, permanent cognitive defects and increased vulnerability to other health issues.

Depression and Suicide

Depression is the most common co-occurring disorder with alcohol addiction. One study found that 33% (1 in 3) of patients with an alcohol use disorder also met the criteria for a major depressive disorder in the last year.

Alcohol withdrawal can exacerbate existing mental health conditions or cause depression and suicidal thoughts directly. The persistent sadness, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation this causes may put individuals at a significantly increased risk of suicide if they are not properly monitored.

Getting Help and Support

There is a big difference between the questions, “Can alcohol withdrawal kill you?” and, “Will alcohol withdrawal kill me?” Alcohol withdrawal does not have to be fatal. Every year, millions of patients successfully get through alcohol withdrawal and enter a life of sobriety.

Even better, you don’t have to do it alone. There are numerous places where you can get support.

Addiction Treatment Centers

Addiction treatment centers play a massive role in helping people get through alcohol withdrawal. Many addiction treatment centers have detox facilities onsite or work closely with detox facility partners.

Addiction treatment centers also provide rehab programs that help patients uncover and treat underlying causes of their addiction, changing their thoughts and behaviors for the better. Rehab centers with inpatient programs provide the greatest likelihood of patients achieving and maintaining long-term sobriety.

Support Groups and Therapy

Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), as well as counselors and therapists, are also critical sources of alcohol withdrawal support. Support groups provide a sense of community, as well as guidance and love, and are highly beneficial because their members have all gone through very similar experiences. Counselors and therapists can provide ongoing support and relapse prevention.

Helplines

If you or a loved one is experiencing alcohol withdrawal or is concerned about the process, hotlines and helplines are an excellent source of immediate support. One of the most important helplines is operated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA’s National Helpline is free, confidential, and operates 24/7, 365 days a year.

Rebuilding a Healthy Life after Alcohol Addiction

Getting through alcohol withdrawal is the first step on the journey to lifelong sobriety. It is critical that you rebuild a healthy life to avoid relapse (the return to drinking).

One of the most important steps in rebuilding your life after alcohol addiction is to create a relapse prevention plan. This relapse prevention plan must identify triggers, or situations, emotions, people, or things that motivate the desire to drink. The plan must also identify coping strategies for these triggers. It is also important to include a support system of friends, family, and professionals and to set specific and realistic goals.

Developing and practicing healthy habits and coping mechanisms is critical to avoiding relapse. These include:

• Therapy and counseling are among the best ways to explore underlying issues and change negative patterns of thought and behavior.
• Mindfulness and meditation techniques are excellent and effective healthy coping mechanisms.
• Regular physical exercise can improve moods, reduce stress, and improve overall health.
• Hobbies and interests can fill the void left by alcohol, provide a positive outlet for energy, and bring joy and purpose.
• A balanced and nutritious diet can support both mental and medical health.
• Adequate sleep, good hygiene, and regular health checkups are important to support your overall well-being.

Detox Safely and Free Yourself from Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol withdrawal is not just extremely unpleasant. It can also be deadly. The only way to protect yourself or your loved one from the dangers of alcohol withdrawal is to seek out medically supervised alcohol detox. Luckily, help is out there.

Legacy Healing Center is dedicated to helping you or your loved one get through withdrawal safely and comfortably so you can enter subsequent treatment in a healthy and positive state of mind.

We approach alcohol addiction using a holistic method that treats the mind, body, and spirit so you have the mental, physical, and emotional strength to find the life you’ve been waiting for.

Call 888-534-2295 today to speak with a treatment staff member at Legacy Healing Center about our alcohol detox and rehab programs.

Can You Die from Alcohol Withdrawal? FAQs

What are the dangers of alcohol withdrawal?

Alcohol withdrawal is associated with many dangers. In fact, alcohol withdrawal can kill you in many ways. Perhaps the greatest danger of alcohol withdrawal is delirium tremens, the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal that can cause life-threatening cardiovascular and respiratory complications. Another major danger is seizures, which can be life-threatening in many ways. Other potential dangers include dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, depression and suicide, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, and cardiovascular issues.

How can alcohol withdrawal kill you?

Alcohol withdrawal can lead to death in several different ways. Delirium tremens can cause fatal cardiovascular complications such as heart attack or heart failure. Both delirium tremens and seizures can cause respiratory complications. Seizures can also cause fatal injury, brain damage, or blood loss. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can also be fatal. The overall stress of the withdrawal process, and especially the depression and suicidal thoughts it can cause, also puts some individuals at an elevated risk of suicide.

What are the symptoms of severe alcohol withdrawal?

Severe alcohol withdrawal is potentially fatal. If you or someone you love is exhibiting any of the following symptoms while withdrawing from alcohol, it is critical that you seek professional medical attention immediately.

• Visual or auditory hallucinations
• Severe confusion
• Severe disorientation
• Intense agitation
• Aggressive behavior
• Fever
• Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Excessive sweating
• Severe and uncontrollable tremors or shaking
• Seizures
• Respiratory distress

What treatment options are available for alcohol withdrawal?

There are thousands of treatment options available for alcohol withdrawal. There are options that will fit virtually every individual need and circumstance. Some of the most effective treatment options for alcohol withdrawal include:

• Inpatient rehab: Requires patients to reside at a treatment facility where they receive treatments during the day. Inpatient rehab allows patients to fully focus on their treatment and to separate themselves from underlying causes of addiction and triggers.
• Outpatient rehab: Requires patients to live elsewhere and attend treatment sessions several days a week. Outpatient rehab allows patients the flexibility to maintain personal and professional responsibilities while still receiving the treatment they need.
• Detox centers and programs: Provide around-the-clock monitoring and support, and therapeutic and medical interventions. Detox centers and programs provide patients with the greatest likelihood of making it through alcohol withdrawal safely and comfortably.

How long does alcohol withdrawal syndrome last?

Early withdrawal typically lasts from six to 24 hours after the last drink and is typified by the first withdrawal symptoms appearing. These initial symptoms often include anxiety, insomnia, nausea, and tremors.

Peak withdrawal typically lasts from 24 to 72 hours after the last drink and is typified by intensifying symptoms. The strongest and most dangerous symptoms typically occur during this period. These might include hallucinations, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and severe agitation.

Post-acute withdrawal typically lasts from one to two weeks after the last drink and is typified by subsiding and disappearing symptoms. Although most symptoms will be gone by the end of the second week, some may persist for up to two years. These lingering symptoms are known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) and are more likely to be psychological in nature. They might include mood swings and sleep disturbances.

Remember, every instance of alcohol withdrawal is different, and how long alcohol withdrawal syndrome lasts will vary from person to person.

About the Author

Jeffrey Juergens

Jeff Juergens is a leading author in the addiction and recovery field, dedicating the last seven years of his life to helping those struggling with substance use issues find the help that they need. Jeff's work has been used in rehabs across the country as tools to help patients achieve sobriety.

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Medically Reviewed by

Dr. Edwin Gomez, M.D.

Edwin Gomez, M.D. joined the Legacy Healing Centers Medical Team in 2021. In addition to working at Legacy Healing Centers, Dr. Gomez operates a private practice and research here in the South Florida Area and the Florida Keys. Prior to joining Legacy Healing Center, he served as Medical Dire...

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