Alcohol Withdrawal Nightmares

If you struggle with alcohol abuse or addiction, you may become physically dependent on alcohol. That means if you stop drinking, you’ll likely experience withdrawal symptoms. One of the most common alcohol withdrawal symptoms is an increase in nightmares.

Why Does Alcohol Withdrawal Cause Nightmares?

Alcohol slows down your brain activity by enhancing the effects of a brain chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). If you drink alcohol frequently, your brain responds to the excessive GABA activity by reducing its GABA receptors.

If you stop drinking, it takes time to restore these receptors and achieve normal GABA levels.

Until then, you may experience alcohol withdrawal, and withdrawal often disrupts your sleep cycles.

Sleep Cycle Disruption

There are two main types of sleep. The first is called non-rapid eye movement sleep, or non-REM sleep. It occurs right when you fall asleep and consists of three stages. The final stage of non-REM sleep is the deepest stage of sleep.

The second type of sleep is called rapid eye movement sleep, or REM sleep. It occurs about an hour after you fall asleep. It often makes your dreams more vivid and, in some cases, nightmarish.

When you drink alcohol, you get less REM sleep. However, during alcohol withdrawal, you get more REM sleep (also known as “REM rebound sleep”). As a result, you face a higher risk of vivid dreams and nightmares.

How Long Do Alcohol Withdrawal Nightmares Last?

In most cases, alcohol withdrawal nightmares start within 24 hours after your last drink. They typically peak within 72 hours, though they may last for weeks.

Like other alcohol withdrawal symptoms, nightmares can take a toll on your daily life.

Other Sleep-Related Symptoms

If the nightmares become too distressing, you might start to dread the thought of going to sleep. You may then have trouble relaxing at bedtime.

You may also experience other sleep-related issues, such as:

• excessive snoring
• insomnia, which means you struggle to fall or stay asleep
• sleepwalking
• sleep paralysis, which means you can’t move or speak for a few seconds to a few minutes after waking

How To Manage Alcohol Withdrawal Nightmares

While alcohol withdrawal nightmares are uncomfortable, they’re not life-threatening. Still, it’s best to withdraw from alcohol under medical supervision, especially if you’re also experiencing other symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

Other common symptoms include:

• anxiety
• irritability
• mood swings
• trouble thinking clearly
• fatigue
• headache
• nausea and vomiting
• rapid heart rate
• shaking
• sweating

If you or someone you love is experiencing these symptoms, seek professional help at an alcohol detox program.

Medical Detox

During detox, a team of medical professionals will help keep you comfortable as you get alcohol out of your system.

They will closely monitor your physical and mental health. They may also prescribe medications to ease certain withdrawal symptoms, such as pain relievers or anti-nausea medications.

You may also be prescribed anti-anxiety medications called benzodiazepines, especially if you develop delirium tremens (also called DTs). Delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that’s most common in people who quit alcohol after a period of heavy drinking.

Common symptoms include:

• sudden, severe confusion
• excitement or fear
• restlessness
• fatigue
• sensitivity to light, sound, or touch
• hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren’t really there)

After you complete detox, your doctor may recommend that you transition to an alcohol addiction treatment program.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Alcohol addiction (also called alcohol use disorder or alcohol dependence) is a serious disease that makes you feel unable to stop drinking alcohol.

Common symptoms include:

• frequent cravings for alcohol
• physical dependence
• tolerance, which means you need increasingly larger or more frequent drinks to feel the desired effects
• avoidance of friends and family members
• loss of motivation
• loss of interest in activities once enjoyed

While an alcohol detox program addresses physical dependence, it does not address the psychological symptoms of alcohol addiction, such as cravings and loss of motivation. That’s why people with the disease should attend addiction treatment programs after detox.

Some addiction treatment programs are inpatient, meaning you live at a treatment facility and receive 24/7 care. Other programs are outpatient, meaning you regularly visit a treatment facility while living at home.

Treatment Services

Whether inpatient or outpatient, alcohol addiction treatment programs offer a number of treatment services.

The most common treatment options are:

• behavioral therapy, in which a mental health professional will help cope with alcohol cravings and any mental health concerns that may have contributed to your substance abuse
• medication-assisted treatment, in which doctors prescribe medications to ease alcohol cravings and withdrawal symptoms
• support groups, in which you can share your experiences with other people recovering from alcohol addiction

Find Alcohol Addiction Treatment In Massachusetts

If you or someone you love struggles with alcohol consumption, please reach out to a Recovering Champions specialist. Our board-certified healthcare providers offer personalized, evidence-based treatments to help you or your loved one stay healthy.