The ten signs your liver is detoxing from alcohol are nausea, vomiting, anxiety, tremors, confusion, throbbing headaches, trouble focusing, insomnia, restlessness and changes in heart rate and blood pressure. They start about 10 hours after drinking. Agitation and craving can last 3-4 days.
Alcohol is the most widely used mind-altering substance in the world. Unlike other drugs, it is legal. So it is the most common mind-altering substance served at social events1,2.
Alcohol is so common and easy to get that many people do not see it as a drug. But it is one, and science knows well how it works. It is a strong central nervous system (CNS) depressant, much like opiates and barbiturates. That means it slows the brain and nerves.
Even so, people often get excited after moderate drinking. That is because the brain cells that put on the brakes are more sensitive to alcohol. At higher doses, though, it slows all brain activity.
Alcohol can also give some energy. But the body cannot store that energy. At a low dose, it eases anxiety a little and lifts mood.
How does the liver process alcohol?
Like any drug or medicine, alcohol cannot stay in the body forever. The body slowly breaks it down. The liver is the body’s main cleaning organ. It has to work overtime to get rid of alcohol, above all when people drink a lot.
For people struggling with drinking too much, alcohol addiction treatment can give key support and resources. It helps cut dependence and supports a healthier liver.
The body mainly breaks down alcohol through oxidation. An enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase plays a central role. The P450 pathway also plays some role in clearing alcohol from the body1,2.
In general, a lean body breaks down alcohol faster. So women or underweight men break it down faster. But people differ a lot in how they break down alcohol. Some do it much faster, others much slower. The gap between people can be as much as five times.
Other things that change how well the liver breaks down alcohol are age, race, food, body clocks and exercise.
Some drugs can also block the breakdown of alcohol. Taken with alcohol, they cause severe nausea and drunkenness. These medicines also play a role in treating alcohol addiction.
What are the early and late signs of alcohol detox?
Luckily, the human body is quite good at clearing alcohol. The body starts getting rid of alcohol almost as soon as it enters the blood. But clearing it fully from the blood takes much longer.
Once the first phase of being drunk is over, certain byproducts build up. So about 10 hours after drinking, the body starts showing signs of detox. Early signs include nausea and stomach pain. A bit later, mental symptoms begin to show.
The next day, a so-called “hangover” sets in. It brings tiredness, body aches, headaches, dehydration and trouble focusing. That is because the body is working hard to clear out toxins and unwanted chemicals. During this period of heavy detox, mood and coordination drop a lot.
As the body works hard to detox, its temperature may rise a little. So a person may start to feel bad and anxious. This phase is critical. The person is tempted to drink to get rid of the pain and anxiety. Staying away from alcohol now takes putting up with pain and strong willpower.
There are some late signs of stopping, too. They are much milder, but they are there. People stay agitated for 3-4 days, with more anxiety. They crave alcohol strongly. People who drink a lot or depend on alcohol may also see or hear things that are not there in this phase. Shaking may also be a problem.
What are the 10 signs your body is detoxing from alcohol?
- Nausea due to intoxication by alcohol metabolites
- Vomiting, from both drunkenness and an upset stomach
- Anxiety and feeling of unease
- Tremors as a sign of neurological changes
- Confusion
- Headaches, often throbbing
- Difficulty focusing
- Insomnia and changes in sleep pattern
- Restlessness
- Changes in heart rate and blood pressure
Most people have the signs above. They may be more severe after long-term heavy drinking, above all at higher doses. Signs may also differ in people who depend on alcohol.
Prolonged alcohol dependence has signs like:
- Mood disorders and depression
- Weakening of heart muscles or cardiomyopathy
- Hormonal changes in the body
- Increased risk of stroke
- Liver cirrhosis due to prolonged liver damage
- Suicidal thoughts
Alcohol dependence can be treated, and withdrawal signs can be made less severe. So most people do not need special care.
Still, studies show about 25% of US adults abuse alcohol. Alcohol is also one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in the US. Studies show about 100,000 people die each year from alcohol abuse, and there are millions of emergency room visits3.
In short, alcohol is a common mind-altering drug. It is legal and fairly safe when used responsibly. But abusing alcohol can cause effects much like drug addiction. It can harm health. In many cases, detox is a long and painful process.
Frequently asked questions
How long do alcohol withdrawal symptoms last?
The first signs, such as nausea and stomach pain, show up about 10 hours after drinking. The next day brings the hangover: tiredness, body aches, headaches, dehydration and trouble focusing. Late signs follow and last 3-4 days. They bring agitation, more anxiety and a strong craving for alcohol. Heavy or dependent drinkers may also have shaking and hallucinations.
What is the hardest part of quitting drinking?
The critical phase comes after the hangover, while the body works hardest to detox. Body temperature may rise a little, and a person feels unwell and anxious. That is when the urge to drink away the pain and anxiety is strongest. So staying off alcohol takes putting up with discomfort and real willpower.
How fast does the liver clear alcohol?
The body starts removing alcohol almost as soon as it reaches the blood, but clearing it fully takes much longer. Speed varies up to five times from one person to the next. A lean body clears alcohol faster. Age, race, food, body clocks and exercise all change how well the liver works.
Can alcohol withdrawal be treated?
Yes. Alcohol dependence can be treated, and withdrawal signs can be made less severe, so most people do not need special care. Certain medicines that slow alcohol breakdown help treat alcohol addiction. Alcohol addiction treatment gives people the support to cut dependence and protect the liver.
Related reading
How Long Do Opiates Stay in Your System? · Why Mixing Alcohol and Phentermine Is Dangerous · Alcohol May Suppress Pain But Increases Aggression
References
1. Wallner M, Olsen RW. Physiology and pharmacology of alcohol: the imidazobenzodiazepine alcohol antagonist site on subtypes of GABAA receptors as an opportunity for drug development? Br J Pharmacol. 2008;154(2):288-298. doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.32
2. Cederbaum AI. ALCOHOL METABOLISM. Clin Liver Dis. 2012;16(4):667-685. doi:10.1016/j.cld.2012.08.002
3. Alcohol Facts and Statistics | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Accessed February 26, 2022. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-facts-and-statistics