Feeling lethargic while withdrawing from alcohol is quite common. Also known as sobriety fatigue, each person feels this effect differently and for varying lengths of time. Learn more in this article about its causes and the symptoms and treatment of withdrawal.
How Quitting Alcohol Actually Affects the Body
Let’s start with a brief explanation of the impact of alcohol in the brain. Regular alcohol intake affects numerous neurotransmitters in the brain. Some, like glutamate, stimulate signal-receiving neurons, while others. like GABA. inhibit the neurons.
Alcohol enhances GABA’s effect, suppressing the activity of neurons. With chronic alcohol exposure, GABA receptors become less responsive. More alcohol is needed to achieve the same level of suppression. This is called tolerance.
When you stop alcohol intake, since the GABA receptors are less responsive, an imbalanced state of excitatory transmission is created in the brain. In addition, the number of glutamate excitatory neurotransmitters remains elevated. Both of these mechanisms contribute to the hyperexcitability of the neurons that is typical of alcohol withdrawal. This causes the symptoms to appear. [1].
Lethargy is one of the common symptoms of withdrawal. How long does post-alcohol lethargy (sobriety fatigue) last? This varies greatly with each person. Typical mild detox and withdrawal usually lasts from 3-8 days. Severe withdrawal can be 30 days or more. However the feeling of fatigue may last longer than this as the body adjusts to being alcohol free.
Why Does Quitting Alcohol Hit So Hard?
In withdrawal a range of symptoms may occur, explaining why quitting alcohol can hit hard, resulting in fatigue. They include:
| Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms These generally don’t require medical attention | ||
| Mild anxiety | Headache | Fatigue |
| Gastrointestinal discomfort | Sweating | Insomnia |
| Craving for alcohol | Tremor | Hypervigilance |
| Vivid dreams | Irritability | Loss of appetite |
| Nausea | Vomiting | |
| Severe Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms These require medical attention | ||
| Seizures | Hallucinosis | Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium |
What Causes Alcohol Withdrawal Lethargy?
Staying sober means abstinence from using alcohol or drugs. Since alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, alcohol withdrawal involves changes in the brain to adapt. Typical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome are listed above.
Lethargy is a natural response to the level of energy, effort and time you’ve put into becoming sober. Letting go of alcohol means that any underlying issues such as anxiety or depression may emerge. It can be fatiguing to deal with them.
Insomnia is a very common side effect of giving up alcohol. [2] Since alcohol is a sedative, without it you may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. This creates more fatigue causing your body to feel tired. This may be even more noticeable if you used alcohol to manage sleep problems.
While alcohol may make you feel like you’re falling asleep, it can lead to worse sleep quality, creating a vicious circle with fatigue. With alcohol you actually tend to wake more often and this reduces the amount of deeper REM sleep which is where the body truly refreshes itself.
Withdrawal from alcohol can also cause your body to feel stressed and anxious. This can affect sleep and also how you feel during the day, leading to fatigue. Over time, however, lowering or stopping your alcohol abuse can help improve sleep and lower your fatigue. But this takes time and everyone is different.
What to Expect During Alcohol Withdrawal
Most cases of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) are mild and don’t require medical intervention. However, severe cases can lead to life-threatening complications requiring urgent medical interventions.
After stopping alcohol, AWS typically involves the group of common symptoms listed above. This can progress to the more severe symptoms listed. Hallucinations usually subside within 48 hours. Withdrawal seizures can happen within a few hours.
Alcohol withdrawal delirium (DTs), is the most severe aspect of withdrawal that affects 3% to 5% of patients with AWS. It can be fatal. It has the following symptoms [2]:
- Fever
- Irregular heartbeat
- Agitation
- Sweating
- Hallucinations
- Disorientation
- Hypertension
Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline
Detox from alcohol typically takes about 7 to 10 days. Withdrawal symptoms can start as early as two hours after the last drink and peak within the first 24 to 48 hours. During this peak, individuals may experience mild symptoms. A few will develop alcohol withdrawal delirium (DTs).
After the peak, symptoms generally begin to decrease but can persist in a milder form for several weeks. The length and severity of alcohol detox can be influenced by factors like the duration of alcohol use, the amount consumed, and the presence of co-occurring mental health or medical conditions.
Safely Recovering from Alcohol Addiction in Los Angeles
Alcohol Substance Use Disorder is best treated in a residential treatment center with medically supervised detox facilities. Going “cold turkey” to overcome alcohol addiction is not recommended because it’s dangerous and almost never works. Trying to simply stop drinking alone will not address the underlying emotional issues behind the alcohol abuse.
Overcoming addiction is a multifaceted process involving the following elements:
- Medically-Assisted Detox: Detoxification is best done under medical supervision in a licensed detox facility. Healthcare professionals can monitor your progress and administer medications to ease withdrawal symptoms.
- Behavioral Treatments: Various forms of therapy and counseling can best help guide you through withdrawal and into maintaining sobriety. These include individual psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), among others. This may be done privately but is often best done in a residential treatment center or Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)..
- Medications: Three medications are currently approved in the US to help people stop or reduce drinking. They are prescribed by a doctor or other approved healthcare practitioner.
- Support Groups: AA, SMART and other support groups offer peer support for people cutting back or quitting their drinking.This is often combined with therapy to gain the best range of support.
You may choose to enter a residential treatment center such as we have at The Encino Recovery & Detox Center. Trained staff are equipped to provide the detox and therapy support necessary for you to reach your treatment goals. Participating in residential care greatly enhances your success rate at avoiding relapses.
Typical therapy approaches include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- 12-Step Program
- Somatic Experiencing and Body Work
- Mindfulness Meditation
- Exposure therapy
Safe Detox in Los Angeles
At the Encino Recovery and Detox Center in Los Angeles we don’t just treat addiction. We nurture the spirit, heal the mind and help you to regain your life. If you or a loved one is seeking a way out of substance abuse, private, confidential help is just a call away. Reach out to our Admissions team now.
Sources
[1] Saitz R. 1998. Introduction to alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol Health Res World. 1998;22(1):5-12
[2] Canver BR, Newman RK, Gomez AE. Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome. [Updated 2024 Feb 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing;
