Come Off Alcohol Safely

Alcohol withdrawal

Also called Alcohol detox, The shakes, DTs

2 min plan42 min with every studyUpdated Sep 28, 2026

Who it's forA man whose body depends on alcohol: shakes in the morning, and a drink needed to get through the day.

When to see a doctor

Severe withdrawal: shaking visibly, confusion, seeing or hearing things that are not there, or a fit. Call 911 or go to the emergency room.
Fever, seizures, severe confusion, hallucinations or an irregular heartbeat during withdrawal: 911.
Sudden confusion, unsteady walking or odd eye movements: a vitamin B1 emergency (Wernicke’s). Call 911 now.
Yellow skin or eyes, vomiting blood, or black, sticky poop: call 911.
Do not drive yourself to the emergency department. Ask someone to drive you, or call an ambulance.
Worse at home, but not an emergency: call the detox team or your doctor today.
Stopping suddenly after heavy daily drinking can cause withdrawal fits and delirium tremens, and delirium tremens can kill. Never stop cold on your own.
Morning anxiety, sweats, shakes or sickness, or a drink needed on waking: your body is dependent. See your doctor or an alcohol service before you stop.
Fits are most common 12 to 48 hours after the last drink. Delirium tremens usually comes at 48 to 96 hours, and can come as late as day 7 to 10. Symptoms that rise after day 3 instead of easing: call now.
No driving until the detox ends, and not on detox medicine.
A past withdrawal fit or delirium tremens, or epilepsy: the detox belongs in the hospital or a residential unit. The same for over 17 US standard drinks (30 UK units) a day, a dependence score over 30, or tranquilizers too. And for about 9 to 17 US standard drinks (15 to 30 UK units) a day with serious illness or problems with memory and thinking.
Opioids, tranquilizers or sleeping pills with detox medicine can stop your breathing. Tell the doctor everything you take.
Low mood or anxiety that is still there 3 to 4 weeks after the detox: see your doctor. It gets its own treatment.

I am not a doctor. This is not medical advice. This is self-education. No dose on this page is a home schedule: detox medicines are prescribed and dosed by a doctor. Never stop heavy daily drinking suddenly without medical help. Talk to a physician who has your history before anything in the With a doctor group.