It may not grab news headlines like fentanyl or meth, but alcoholism is one of the deadliest addictions, and stopping alcohol use comes with its own dangers. From alcohol withdrawal syndrome to delirium tremens, we’ll do a deep dive into all the alcohol-related detox dangers and explore how to quit safely (spoiler alert: You should seek the help of a trained professional).
What Alcohol Addiction or Overuse Does to the Body
A central nervous system depressant, alcohol slows brain activity and alters how your body functions. Over time, your brain adapts by working harder to stay alert, increasing excitatory chemicals. This constant push-pull between alcohol’s sedative effects and the brain’s compensation puts your body under stress.
Some immediate effects of heavy drinking include:
- Slurred speech and impaired coordination
- Mood swings or aggression
- Memory blackouts
- Risky or impulsive behaviors
SOURCE: SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association)
Alcohol poisoning is another risk of extensive drinking. It occurs when someone drinks so much that their body can’t process the alcohol quickly enough. The condition can be fatal, so it’s important to know the signs:
- Confusion or inability to wake up
- Vomiting
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Seizures
- Pale, bluish, or clammy skin
- Low body temperature
Roughly 178,000 people die from excessive alcohol use each year in the United States. – Centers for Disease Control
The Toll of Long-Term Overuse
Chronic alcohol use affects nearly every one of the body’s organ systems. Over months or years, heavy drinking can lead to:
- Liver disease: fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis
- Heart problems: high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, increased stroke risk
- Digestive issues: gastritis, ulcers, pancreatitis
- Brain changes: memory problems, cognitive decline, neuropathy
- Mental health struggles: depression, anxiety, worsening mood disorders
These effects of alcohol overuse also make withdrawal more dangerous because your body has adapted to alcohol’s presence, so removing it suddenly can have severe consequences.
Why It’s So Important to Get Help to Quit Safely
Because your brain and body have become dependent on alcohol, suddenly stopping drinking can shock your system. Medically supervised detox ensures that withdrawal symptoms are managed safely, preventing complications like seizures, severe dehydration, and delirium tremens (DTs).
The Alcohol Withdrawal Process
One of the reasons heavy drinkers are reluctant to quit alcohol is that the withdrawal process can be notoriously harrowing. Withdrawal symptoms can begin as early as 6-12 hours after your last drink and may include:
- Anxiety, tremors, sweating, nausea, insomnia
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
The most severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually occur between 48-72 hours after the last drink. This is the window when a condition known as delirium tremens is more likely to develop.
Delirium Tremens: The Most Severe Form of Withdrawal
Delirium tremens (DTs) are the most dangerous alcohol withdrawal complication, and, according to The Cleveland Clinic, DTs can be life-threatening. They typically develop 1-4 days after withdrawal begins in those who have been drinking heavily for years.
Delirium tremens cause extreme hyperactivity of the autonomic nervous system, which can result in dangerous spikes in heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.
DT symptoms include:
- Severe confusion and disorientation
- Visual, auditory, or tactile hallucinations
- Agitation
- High fever and heavy sweating
- Seizures
The National Library of Medicine reports that up to 5% of patients in alcohol withdrawal may develop DTs. Without treatment, the risk of death can be as high as 37% — but with proper medication and medical monitoring, the risk drops significantly.
Women may present with fewer symptoms than men, making DTs harder to diagnose. Co-occurring medical problems (such as infections, altered blood chemistry, or Wernicke’s syndrome, a serious neurological disorder most commonly linked to chronic alcohol misuse and a vitamin B1 deficiency) can make symptoms worse, which is why professional care is essential.
Why Quitting “Cold Turkey” Can Be Dangerous
Is it time to get help for your alcohol use? We’ve established that alcohol addiction is hazardous to your health, but stopping alcohol abruptly can send your body into crisis. People who are hospitalized for surgery or other medical reasons are at increased risk of developing DTs because their drinking is suddenly interrupted. For anyone at home, quitting cold turkey without supervision can result in seizures, cardiac complications, or even death.
What is Medically Managed Detox?
That’s why it’s important not to try to quit alcohol on your own. In a professional detox program, you are monitored 24/7, so they can prevent and respond to complications.
Professional detox may include:
- Non-addictive medication assistance to prevent seizures and stabilize vital signs
- IV fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration
- Nutritional support (thiamine and vitamins to prevent brain damage)
- Monitoring of vital signs to catch complications early
- Emotional support to reduce anxiety and prepare you for the next phase of treatment
This approach is not just about comfort — it is about keeping you safe.
What Detox Looks Like at Lakeside-Milam
The acute alcohol withdrawal phase generally lasts 3-7 days, but some symptoms (like anxiety or sleep disturbances) can persist for weeks. Continued treatment through a residential or outpatient program, group therapy, or aftercare support is crucial for lasting recovery.
At Lakeside-Milam, detox is a highly structured process focused on both safety and long-term recovery. It includes:
- Individualized medical evaluation – Each client’s withdrawal plan is tailored to their history and needs.
- 24/7 inpatient monitoring – Vital signs, hydration, and complications (like seizures or DTs) are closely monitored.
- Step-down care – After detox (usually up to seven days), clients transition into residential treatment followed by partial hospitalization (PHP) and/or an intensive outpatient program (IOP) to continue treatment in a structured setting.
Ongoing substance use disorder treatment may also include medication-assisted treatment (aka MAT). Physicians at Lakeside Milam may prescribe naltrexone and acamprosate for alcohol addiction. These medications reduce cravings and prevent relapse by blocking the effects of alcohol, making it harder for individuals to experience the pleasure associated with alcohol use.
Detox is Just the Beginning
At Lakeside-Milam, we believe detox is just the start of someone’s recovery journey. For the best chance of maintaining long-term sobriety, detox should be followed by a comprehensive treatment program that includes:
- A focus on physical health – Physical health often suffers during addiction. Medical evaluations and coordination with primary care ensure health issues are treated alongside an alcohol addiction.
- Education about addiction –You need to understand how you got here in order to not end up back here. Learning how addiction works reduces denial and helps patients commit to recovery.
- Group counseling – Addiction thrives in secrecy and isolation. Peer support provides community, helping to break isolation patterns and encourage accountability.
- Changing destructive thinking – At Lakeside-Milam we use Rational Emotive Therapy to help clients identify and change irrational thoughts that fuel addiction.
- Personalized planning – Succeeding in a treatment setting is great, but you also need to be equipped to thrive back home. That’s why treatment should address legal, family, and personal challenges.
- Continuing care – No one wants to stay in treatment longer than necessary, but studies like this one from Science Direct have shown that a longer treatment stay followed by aftercare support improves outcomes. So, choose a program with an active alumni network, weekly support groups, and available follow-up care.
Take the First Step Toward a Safe, Alcohol-Free Life
If you or someone you love is ready to stop drinking, don’t go it alone. Medically supervised detox at Lakeside-Milam is the safest way to begin recovery. Learn more about their detox programs and admissions process.
