I used to think alcohol withdrawal was something that only happened in extreme cases, with really severe symptoms. But what I didn’t realize was that there are more subtle, mild signs of withdrawal that can happen even if you don’t think you’re drinking that much. These signs were part of my daily life for years, and I just brushed them off as hangovers, lack of sleep, or too much alcohol. In reality, my body was struggling to cope after years of heavy drinking––going into overdrive to rebalance itself. Here’s what was actually happening to my body when I experienced these symptoms—and what your body might be trying to tell you if you’ve been overdrinking.

1. Difficulty Concentrating

When I was drinking heavily, I often felt like I was in a mental fog the next day. I brushed it off as fatigue, but this is actually a classic withdrawal symptom. Alcohol disrupts neurotransmitters in the brain, including those that help with focus and memory. When the alcohol is gone, your brain struggles to regain balance, and this imbalance makes it hard to concentrate. The foggy brain is your body’s way of readjusting after losing the sedative effect of alcohol, which it had grown used to.

2. Shakiness or Tremors

I used to think my mild shakiness after drinking was just from too much coffee or a lack of food, but tremors are one of the most telling signs of alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol affects the central nervous system by depressing it. When you remove alcohol after long-term use, the nervous system is left in an overexcited state, causing shakiness. The body is essentially overreacting to the absence of alcohol, and this is why tremors or shakiness are common as the brain and nervous system try to regain control.

3. Sweating or Clammy Skin

Night sweats became so normal for me that it was almost part of my middle-of-the-night routine to get up and change my clothes. This happens because alcohol messes with your autonomic nervous system, which controls body temperature and sweating. When you drink heavily, your body adjusts to the constant presence of alcohol, and when it’s suddenly gone, your nervous system goes into overdrive. Sweating is your body’s way of trying to cool itself down and release the built-up stress, but it’s really a sign of how much the system is struggling to cope without alcohol.

4. Fatigue or Low Energy

I was always exhausted the next day, but I thought it was just due to poor sleep. What I didn’t realize is that alcohol suppresses the production of certain hormones and neurotransmitters that regulate energy. When you stop drinking, your body has to work extra hard to produce these chemicals again, which leaves you feeling drained. Your energy levels drop because your system is recovering from the withdrawal shock.

5. Insomnia or Trouble Sleeping

I always thought alcohol helped me sleep, but that was far from the truth. Alcohol disrupts your sleep cycles, especially REM sleep, which is crucial for rest. When I stopped drinking, my body was trying to regulate itself without the sedative effects of alcohol, leading to restless nights and insomnia. This is common in withdrawal as the brain’s natural sleep-wake cycle gets thrown off balance, and it struggles to reset.

6. Irritability or Mood Swings

I’d get irritated over the smallest things, blaming it on lack of sleep or stress. What was really happening is that alcohol withdrawal was messing with my brain’s neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood. When alcohol is removed, the brain struggles to produce these chemicals in the right amounts, leading to mood swings and irritability. Your body is essentially rewiring itself, and it takes time for your emotions to stabilize.

7. Anxiety or Nervousness

Anxiety was a huge part of my life during heavy drinking. I didn’t realize that alcohol withdrawal can cause anxiety because of its effect on the central nervous system. Alcohol acts as a sedative, so when you take it away, the body goes into a heightened state of alertness. This overactive nervous system creates feelings of nervousness and anxiety as your body tries to cope with the absence of alcohol.

8. Nausea or Upset Stomach

Nausea and stomach issues were another regular part of my mornings after drinking. I always thought it was just from overindulgence, but alcohol irritates the lining of your stomach. During withdrawal, the body is trying to repair the damage alcohol has done to your gastrointestinal system. The nausea is your body’s response to the stress of withdrawal, as it tries to restore balance to your digestive system.

9. Headaches

Headaches are another symptom I just chalked up to a hangover. But in reality, alcohol withdrawal can cause blood vessels in the brain to constrict and then dilate, which leads to headaches. The fluctuation in blood pressure and circulation is your body’s attempt to stabilize itself after being used to the presence of alcohol. It’s essentially your brain's reaction to the sudden lack of alcohol, and the headaches are a physical manifestation of that stress.

10. Increased Heart Rate or Palpitations

Waking up with a racing heart was something I thought was due to anxiety or over-exertion. But alcohol affects the heart by acting as a depressant, slowing down heart function. During withdrawal, the opposite happens—your heart rate increases as your nervous system becomes overstimulated. This surge in adrenaline causes palpitations and an increased heart rate, as your body tries to adapt to the absence of alcohol.

Final Thoughts

It’s fascinating, yet sobering, to realize how much my body was struggling to cope during my years of heavy drinking. I had gotten so used to feeling bad that it became my baseline, and I didn’t even recognize how much damage was being done. These symptoms were my body’s way of signaling that it was in overdrive, trying to restore balance. But as I reduced my drinking through the Sinclair Method, I began to notice improvements in how I felt. I started to feel healthier, and my hangovers gradually disappeared as I drank less and less. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, they might be more than just a typical hangover—they could be your body’s cry for help, trying to adjust after being dependent on alcohol. Recognizing these signs is a critical step toward healing and giving your body the chance to recover.

If you’re ready to get support and guidance in addressing your relationship with alcohol, I encourage you to explore Thrive's program. Our personalized approach to the Sinclair Method can help you regain control over your drinking and start feeling like yourself again. You'll have access to a huge library of resources, personalized support, coaching, and a community to help you heal and make progress at your own pace.

Medical Disclaimer: This content is not for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult a healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Do not ignore or delay seeking medical advice based on what you read here.