How to Stop Alcohol Sweats

Sweating is a common physical response when you drink. It can occur while you are drinking, when you’re suffering from a hangover or as a symptom during withdrawal.

No one wants to be a hot, sweaty mess all the time, so asking “how to stop alcohol sweats” is a pretty common refrain for people who drink. Treatment for stopping alcohol sweats really depends on the underlying cause. We’ll take a closer look at the types of alcohol sweats, why it happens and what help you can get.

If your sweating is accompanied by shaking, confusion, hallucinations or seizures, then that is an emergency, and you should get urgent medical help.

 

Why Does Alcohol Make You Sweat?

Alcohol triggers vasodilation, the widening of blood vessels. This naturally occurs when your body temperature rises, bringing warm blood closer to the surface so heat can radiate outward and you cool down.

When this happens while drinking, your body is tricked into thinking it needs to cool down, triggering a sweating response. This vasodilation causes your blood pressure to drop, increasing your heart rate, and your skin warms up as more blood flows to your neck, chest and face.

This can be a typical reaction, but how you react to alcohol can vary depending on your health, environment and the amount consumed.

 

Night Sweats After Drinking

Alcohol can disrupt your sleep, interfering with your temperature regulation so that you wake up. This can happen because, as the blood alcohol drops while you sleep and your central nervous system is less suppressed, your heart rate and adrenaline go up, inducing sweat and waking you up.

Drinking heavily will also dehydrate you, and as your body processes the alcohol, your blood sugar levels dip, causing sweating.

Alcohol can also worsen snoring or sleep-related breathing problems, releasing stress hormones and causing more physical exertion, leading you to sweat more.

 

Hangover Sweats

Hangovers are the consequence of heavy drinking.

Sweating can be just one symptom of a hangover, occurring as your alcohol levels fall after drinking. This symptom tends not to occur in isolation, happening alongside a headache, nausea, thirst and tiredness.

Some people consider sweating after drinking a good thing, implying they are sweating out the toxins. This is not true. Your liver is almost entirely responsible for eliminating alcohol from your body.

A hangover can often be confused with alcohol withdrawal too. They are not the same, but symptoms can overlap. Anyone who drinks can suffer from a hangover, but only those who have become dependent typically suffer from withdrawal.

 

Alcohol Withdrawal Sweats

Sweating is a recognised and common symptom of alcohol withdrawal.

It is only one part, though. Alcohol withdrawal is a term to describe a broad range of symptoms that can’t be predicted before you start going through it. Common symptoms you may experience include:

• Shaking
• Anxiety
• Nausea
• Headache
• Disturbed sleep
• Increased heart rate

If these symptoms occur not after a night of heavy drinking but after you reduce your alcohol intake, then they may indicate a physical dependence.

There’s no knowing how withdrawal will progress. You shouldn’t manage it alone if you believe you are dependent on alcohol. Instead, seek out medical or addiction specialist support.

 

How to Tell a Hangover From Alcohol Withdrawal

Hangovers and withdrawal can make giving up alcohol difficult. Sometimes, it can be hard to tell them apart.

Typically, withdrawal symptoms occur repeatedly when alcohol wears off, rather than a hangover, which lasts for a short while after a heavy drinking session. Also, if you are drinking to relieve sweats, tremors or anxiety, then that is an indication you are dependent.

Another clear indication is your drinking patterns. If you engage in daily drinking, morning drinking, drinking in secret and are unable to reduce consumption, that suggests you might have a problem.

Even if you are sure, get outside help. A healthcare professional can assess your withdrawal risk properly, ensuring you don’t take any steps to stop drinking that could actually harm you.

 

How to Manage Mild Sweating Safely

If you are experiencing mild sweating, the first step is to avoid drinking any more alcohol. You can further help with sweating by moving to a cooler environment and wearing light, breathable clothing to help sweat evaporate faster.

You should also focus on drinking water to replace fluids lost through sweating and rest, giving your body the time it needs to recover.

These measures can help with managing mild sweating. They are not a treatment for alcohol dependence or preventing severe withdrawal, which both require professional intervention.

 

When Should You Seek Medical Advice?

Sweating is something everyone does. However, you should talk to your GP or an alcohol service when your sweating regularly occurs as alcohol wears off.

Other symptoms that may point towards a more serious issue that requires professional help include:

• Persistent fever
• Unexplained weight loss
• Recurring night sweats

Getting a medical assessment in this instance is important. Sweating is not a clear symptom and could be caused by infection, medication, hormonal changes and other conditions. You must get a clear diagnosis so you can get the appropriate support.

 

Signs of Dangerous Alcohol Withdrawal

Withdrawal is usually inevitable if you misuse alcohol, but at times it can be dangerous. Severe symptoms that can be dangerous to face alone or without professional help include:

• Severe shaking
• Agitation
• Confusion
• Visual or auditory hallucinations
• Seizures
• Fever
• Rapid heartbeat

A possible outcome of severe withdrawal is Delirium Tremens. This is a life-threatening form of alcohol withdrawal that affects around 2% of people with alcohol dependence, causing the symptoms above. It is a medical emergency, and if you develop any of the symptoms above, call 999.

 

Why You Should Not Stop Drinking Suddenly

If you are physically dependent on alcohol, stopping suddenly can trigger severe withdrawal that may result in life-threatening symptoms.

Because of this, if you have a severe addiction, you should avoid attempting a home detox and using online advice to navigate the situation. Instead, reach out to your GP or addiction specialists. They can assess your situation and help decide on the appropriate setting for you and the level of support you need.

 

How Medically Assisted Detox Can Help

Medically assisted alcohol detox can be the best option for you. In a more professional and safe environment, your detox will take place under professional care. Alongside helping to monitor symptoms, staff can support your hydration and keep an eye on your overall physical health.

You’ll also be offered nutritional support, helping your body get the critical vitamins it needs to recover. This support will also include an assessment for thiamine deficiency, which can be common in those with an alcohol use disorder.

Recovery is a longer journey than just detoxing. It’s the critical first step of your treatment that you need to complete before confronting the underlying issues of your alcohol use.

 

Alcohol Treatment at Cassiobury Court

At Cassiobury Court, we provide a medically assisted alcohol detox programme, helping you feel as comfortable as possible through withdrawal. You’ll be under observation and given the support you need to safely complete your detox.

This will happen in our residential centre. With residential addiction treatment, you can take time away from your life to get effective and intensive support. Beyond detoxing, you’ll work through a personalised treatment plan of therapies and relapse prevention.

Once you complete your programme and leave, we can still help you with continued aftercare. You’ll have access to weekly support meetings, relapse support and continued therapy if you need it.

Any type of detox may get you physically clean. Professional support can help you address the reasons behind your repeated drinking, providing a more effective treatment that has the potential to be longer-lasting.

 

Get Safe, Professional Help to Stop Drinking Today

Sweating can be part of more serious withdrawal. If you are experiencing symptoms such as confusion, hallucinations, and shaking, then call 999 now.

You don’t have to let drinking rule your life. If you are experiencing alcohol sweats or are finding it difficult to control your drinking, contact Cassiobury Court today for confidential support.