Question Title: When are withdrawal symptoms dangerous?

I stopped drinking several months ago when I started to have what seemed like withdrawal symptoms. I would only drink once a week (or less), but when I would have more than a few drinks I would get withdrawal symptoms for a week or so. These were not incapacitating, and I never had anything that was more than an annoyance. Mostly I felt anxiety and dizziness. My question: if I started to drink moderately again, thereby risking a recurrence of withdrawal problems, is there a serious risk? Are there levels of withdrawal problems (i.e. mild to dangerous)? What are the warning signs of danger? Thanks.

Dear P.D.,

Typically, withdrawal symptoms occur after months or years of daily or nearly daily drinking. However, alcoholics who relapse after a period of time "on the wagon" can develop physical dependence on alcohol within a matter of days and may experience withdrawal upon stopping after a relatively short binge.

Unless you are someone who has had significant physical dependence on alcohol in the past, it is unlikely that the anxiety and dizziness you have described represent bona fide alcohol withdrawal.

Your discomfort sounds more like a "hangover." As you noted, hangovers are an annoyance, and they are an indication that when you drink, you should consume less alcohol. You might consider limiting yourself to 2 or 3 standard drinks (12oz. beer, 5oz. wine, 1.5oz. whiskey) when you drink, and if you still get hung over, limit yourself to one drink. When drinking more than one, try to consume no more than 1 drink per hour.

For more information about drinking and alcohol-related problems, check out my Ask DrSteve web site (http://www.drsteve.org). Good luck!

Steve Adelman, M.D. (a.k.a. DrSteve)

This information is for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition.

Keywords: drinking, alcohol withdrawal, hangover, standard drink

Dear Dr.:

Thanks for your response. A follow up question, if you don't mind: are you saying that hangovers can last for a week or even more? Again, thanks for your help.

p.d.,

Although classic hangovers are briefer in duration, I believe that for some folks the discomfort associated with drinking does, in fact, last as long as a week. The point is not what you call this - it's that anyone who keeps drinking despite ongoing discomfort related to the drinking is having an alcohol-related problem which they need to take a look at and probably do something about.

DrSteve - http://www.drsteve.org