What Are The Side Effects Of Abruptly Stopping Alcohol?

Posted on Mon, 8 Dec 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 8 Dec 2014 Answered on

Fri, 2 Jan 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello Doctor, I have a question. My father is 55 years old, he use to drink and now stooped from past two weeks. I wanted to know if there is any side effect of this? Does he require to take any medicine?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
it depends on duration and frequency of intake of alcohol

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for writing to us.

I can understand your concern.

If someone takes alcohol daily for more than 1 year and quantity was increased gradually since beginning, after stopping such habit suddenly there may be chance of alcohol withdrawal which includes following symptoms: sleep disturbance, tremors,anxiety,restlessness, decrease appetite etc.
This withdrawal can be treated with benzodiazepines medicines like lorazepam or cholrdiazepoxide.

If your father is feeling any of the symptoms, he should be given medicines.

Please revert back to me with his duration,quantity,type and frequency of alcohol intake.As well as if he has any medical problem or not.

Waiting for your reply,

Dr.Chintan Solanki.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj