Is It A Hangover Or Alcohol Withdrawal?
A hangover occurs after drinking too much alcohol in one event, but alcohol withdrawal occurs after severely reducing alcohol intake when the body is accustomed to chronic heavy drinking.
How Is Alcohol Withdrawal Different From A Hangover?
The differences between a hangover and alcohol withdrawal, including their causes, symptoms, the time it takes to recover, and effective remedies for one’s symptoms, are specific to each syndrome.
Causes Of A Hangover
A hangover that occurs after an episode of heavy drinking can be caused by several mechanisms that cause stress to the body. Each person’s ability to process and tolerate alcohol is different, and there is no fixed amount of alcohol one can consume before eliciting a hangover. Drinking alcohol can cause the following factors to contribute to the symptoms of a hangover:
- Dehydration: Alcohol increases a person’s urine production, leading to an excess of fluid loss. If a person is not intentional about drinking water alongside heavy alcohol intake, it can lead to mild or moderate dehydration.
- Poor sleep: Alcohol can disrupt a person’s sleep cycle. Though heavy drinking may lead to loss of consciousness or falling asleep quickly, people often experience fragmented sleep or wake up earlier, leading to worse sleep overall.
- Irritation of the GI tract: Alcohol directly irritates the lining of one’s gastrointestinal tract, leading to an increase in acid release. This can contribute to an upset stomach or nausea.
- Inflammation: Alcohol can lead to an increase in inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation can lead to a feeling of malaise and may contribute to hangover symptoms.
- Alcohol byproducts: Products produced by alcohol metabolism, such as acetaldehyde, or found in alcohol, such as sulfites, may cause allergic-type reactions that may be caused by an increase in inflammation or other bodily responses.
Each person’s body may react to a hangover differently, and your symptoms could be caused by one or more of the above.
Cause Of Alcohol Withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal is caused by the absence of alcohol in the body after a person has become physically dependent upon it. After chronic drinking, the body adapts to the presence of alcohol, causing tolerance, which means alcohol is needed for the body to function normally. Then, in the absence of alcohol, the body reacts with withdrawal symptoms.
Physical dependence upon alcohol and other substances may occur after any amount of chronic use but increases in severity with increased intake.
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Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Vs. Hangover Symptoms
Alcohol withdrawal and hangovers may have a few overlapping symptoms, but many unique symptoms can help distinguish them. The differences between hangover and alcohol withdrawal include their duration, severity, and symptoms that are unique to each. Without treatment, hangover symptoms will resolve around 24 hours after onset, but alcohol withdrawal can last for days with multiple phases.
People may experience the following from a hangover or withdrawal symptoms:
- Fatigue or feeling weak
- Headache
- Nausea
- Increased irritability
- Anxiety
- Sweating
Symptoms more often experienced in a hangover, rather than withdrawal, include:
- Thirst
- Muscle aches
- Stomach pain
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Light sensitivity
- Noise sensitivity
- Increase in blood pressure
Symptoms of typical alcohol withdrawal include:
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Increased reactivity
- Insomnia
- Difficulty thinking
- Clammy skin
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Increased heart rate
Severe alcohol withdrawal can cause life-threatening symptoms, such as:
- Delirium tremens
- High fever
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
Both conditions can be dangerous because they compromise a person’s ability to think clearly and muscle coordination. Performing tasks such as driving or operating heavy machinery may have dangerous consequences.
How To Manage A Hangover
There is no scientifically proven quick cure for a hangover; the body requires time to rehydrate, reduce inflammation, and restore brain and other organ functions to normal.
Drinking water, eating nutritious food, getting quality rest, and otherwise providing for the body’s needs allows it to detox and heal on its own after a hangover.
Taking a cold shower, drinking coffee, or having another alcoholic drink the morning of a hangover may temporarily mask some of the symptoms but may also prolong full recovery through further dehydration or an increase in alcohol’s side effects.
Some people drink electrolyte-rich drinks or may even undergo IV treatments to correct the electrolyte imbalance caused by dehydration. While it is a reasonable assumption, no reputable research studies currently support this theory.
Others may attempt to reduce the headache and inflammation associated with hangovers by taking ibuprofen or another pain medication before bed or in the morning after waking up with a hangover. Despite their general efficacy, ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications are known to irritate the stomach lining and GI tract and may increase liver inflammation. Though they might help with one or two symptoms, their side effects may worsen or prolong other aspects of a hangover and could lead to more serious stomach or liver damage in other people.
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How To Manage Withdrawal
Moderate to severe alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous and should be treated with professional supervision. Unsupervised actions while delirious or hallucinating, abnormal heart rhythms, and seizures may result from severe withdrawal. Because symptoms may continue to worsen for days after a person’s last drink, ongoing supervision is required.
How Is Alcohol Withdrawal Treated?
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome can be treated in an inpatient program, known as medical detox, or an outpatient program in mild to moderate cases. In either case, a person may be given treatment medications to help reduce symptoms, prevent relapse, and ensure safety. Medications that may be used during medical detox from alcohol include:
- Benzodiazepines
- Barbiturates
- Gabapentin
- Anti-epileptic drugs
- Drugs for symptom management
Alongside symptom management, engaging with professional detox services can help establish future sobriety. Detoxing from alcohol is only the first step in recovery from chronic alcohol misuse or alcohol addiction. Further alcohol addiction treatment is required to help the brain heal.
Find An Alcohol Rehab Center
If you experience frequent hangovers or concerns about alcohol withdrawal, you may be struggling with alcohol misuse or addiction. Without treatment, it can be extremely difficult to stop drinking on your own.
Fortunately, finding an alcohol addiction treatment center doesn’t have to be difficult. Explore our rehab directory to find a rehab center near you or contact a treatment provider to further discuss your alcohol rehab options.
Sobriety is possible; take your first step toward recovery today.
