Psychiatry, conditions
Alcohol use disorder means drinking that harms you and is hard to control. You can get help without being shamed. If your body depends on alcohol, stopping suddenly can be dangerous. Talk to a doctor before you stop or cut down a lot.
Get emergency help now if someone shakes badly, gets confused, sees things or has a fit after cutting down or stopping drinking. Also get emergency help for:
Do not drive yourself; ask someone to take you.
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department. See crisis lines.
The main sign is finding it hard to control how much you drink. You may drink more than you meant to. You may keep drinking even when it hurts your health, work or relationships.
Other signs include craving alcohol, needing more to get the same effect, and feeling unwell when you stop. People close to you may be worried.
When the body depends on alcohol, stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal, which can be very dangerous. Withdrawal can bring shaking, sweating, a racing heart, poor sleep, feeling sick and anxiety.
Some people see or hear things that are not there. Some become confused or have fits.
Signs often start within 6 to 12 hours of the last drink. A doctor can check your risk before you change your drinking. Fits in the past, other illness and how much you drink all matter.
Medical help with withdrawal can happen at home or in hospital. A doctor plans it with you. Do not use online plans or someone else's medicine to manage withdrawal.
You can talk about your drinking and choose a goal with your clinician. Many people are advised to stop completely, especially if their body depends on alcohol. If you are not ready to stop, you can still get support to cut down.
UK guidance from NICE says care should not be refused because a person does not agree to stop completely. Your clinician may still explain why stopping is safer for you. You can ask why, and say what you think.
If you decide to wait, you can still ask for a check of your health and withdrawal risk. Long-term heavy drinking can harm the liver, heart, brain, mood and sleep.
Help can include talking therapy, support groups and medicines that help some people. Some medicines can reduce cravings or help you stay off alcohol. They are usually started after withdrawal, with medical checks first.
Help can also cover relationships, work, housing and other parts of life.
If you drink again after a break, it is a reason to review the plan together. It is not a judgement of you.
Yes, you can ask what a medicine is for, its side effects and how long to take it. You can say if a medicine worries you. Do not stop or change a prescribed medicine without a plan with your prescriber.
Yes, they can change both the risks and the safest plan. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, it is advised not to drink any alcohol. Ask for medical help to stop safely.
Older adults, young people under 18, and people with liver disease or past fits may need closer care during withdrawal. Sometimes that care is in hospital.
You can decide with your clinician how your family is involved and what they are told. Family can share their worries and set limits around safety, money and daily tasks.
In India, your mental health information, including about alcohol, is private under section 23 of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. There are limits. For example, it may be shared with others caring for you, or to protect someone from harm.
Family should not force someone to stop drinking suddenly at home, because sudden stopping can be dangerous. Family members can also get support for their own stress.
You can send a message through the contact page. Some people need withdrawal care in hospital. Ask whether a service can give that care, or help you find it.
Fees are on the services page. Check the clinician, format, fee and whether the service fits your needs.