Detox and withdrawal
If your body is dependent on alcohol, stopping suddenly can be dangerous. Detox means managing withdrawal safely with the right level of medical support.
When you need medical advice before stopping Daily heavy drinking, morning drinking or withdrawal symptoms can mean your body has become dependent.
Get medical advice before stopping if you drink heavily every day, need alcohol to feel normal, drink in the morning, or develop symptoms such as shaking, sweating, nausea, anxiety or feeling very unwell when alcohol wears off.
Tell the doctor or alcohol service if you have ever had seizures, hallucinations, severe confusion or delirium tremens during withdrawal before. Previous severe withdrawal can increase the risk of serious problems the next time.
Getting help → Find a local alcohol and drug service in Scotland ↗What withdrawal can feel like Symptoms can start after alcohol levels fall and can range from unpleasant to life-threatening.
Shaking or trembling.
Sweating.
Nausea or vomiting.
Anxiety or agitation.
Headache.
Poor sleep.
Fast heartbeat.
Feeling very unwell when alcohol wears off.
Severe withdrawal can include hallucinations, seizures and delirium tremens. These are medical emergencies.
Understand alcohol withdrawal →Severe withdrawal and delirium tremens Severe confusion, hallucinations, seizures or collapse need emergency medical help.
Delirium tremens, often called DTs, is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal. It can cause profound confusion, agitation, hallucinations, fever and serious changes in heart rate and blood pressure.
Alcohol withdrawal can be fatal. Do not try to manage severe symptoms at home.
Seizure, collapse, severe confusion, hallucinations or immediate danger — 999 Call NHS 24 — 111 for urgent medical advice when your GP is closed CallHome or community detox Some people can withdraw safely outside hospital with medical assessment and support.
Scotland's national service specification includes community detox and home detox where appropriate. This is not the same as stopping on your own.
A clinician should assess your withdrawal risk, health, previous withdrawal history and home circumstances. Medication may be prescribed and you may need regular contact or visits while withdrawal is being managed.
Scottish Government — detox options in the national service specification ↗ Find local alcohol treatment services ↗Inpatient detox Hospital or specialist inpatient care may be needed when withdrawal risk or other health problems are high.
Inpatient medically assisted withdrawal may be appropriate if you have had severe withdrawal before, have significant physical or mental health problems, need close monitoring or cannot be managed safely at home.
Inpatient care may take place in a specialist alcohol or substance-use unit or in hospital where other medical problems also need treatment.
Scottish Government — inpatient and detox services ↗ Read about treatment options →Medication during detox Medication can reduce withdrawal symptoms and lower the risk of complications.
Medication may be used as part of medically assisted withdrawal. The exact medicine, dose and level of monitoring depend on your withdrawal risk and health.
People who have been drinking heavily for a long time may also need vitamins, including thiamine, because alcohol can cause serious nutritional deficiencies.
Read about medicines used in alcohol treatment →Detox is only the first part Withdrawal treatment gets alcohol safely out of the body. It does not by itself deal with what happens afterwards.
Once withdrawal is over, the risk of returning to drinking remains. Recovery support may include counselling, medication, peer support, practical help and changes to routines and relationships.
Scotland's national specification says inpatient detox, residential rehabilitation and community aftercare should be connected, so people are not left without support after withdrawal.
Read about recovery → See treatment options →If someone else is going through withdrawal Do not try to manage serious withdrawal alone at home.
If someone is shaking badly, confused, hallucinating, having a seizure, collapsing or becoming rapidly more unwell, get medical help immediately.
Families and friends can also get advice for themselves even if the person drinking refuses treatment.
Immediate danger or severe withdrawal — 999 Call Help for families and friends → Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs — 08080 10 10 11 Call