Why stopping alcohol causes headaches
- Withdrawal rebound. Alcohol dampens the nervous system. When it stops, the brain is briefly over-excited, which can bring headaches, anxiety and poor sleep.
- Dehydration and low blood sugar, especially if you weren't eating well while drinking.
- Poor sleep in the first nights.
- Caffeine changes. Many people drink more coffee when they stop drinking alcohol, or less, and both can trigger headaches.
Timeline
| Time since last drink | What's common |
|---|---|
| 6 to 24 hours | Headache, anxiety, restlessness, sweating, nausea, poor sleep |
| 1 to 3 days | Symptoms peak, then start to ease |
| 3 to 7 days | Headaches usually gone; sleep slowly improving |
What helps
- Drink water steadily through the day.
- Eat regular meals and snacks to keep blood sugar steady.
- Keep caffeine at your usual level rather than changing it sharply.
- Rest in a dark, quiet room; try slow breathing.
- An over-the-counter painkiller, taken as the label directs, can help. Ask a pharmacist which suits you, especially if you have liver, stomach or kidney problems.
When to get urgent help
Call emergency services or see a doctor urgently if a headache comes with severe shaking, confusion, hallucinations, a seizure, a high temperature, a racing heart, or if it is sudden and severe. These can be signs of severe alcohol withdrawal or another serious problem. If you drink heavily every day, get medical advice before you stop.