When someone begins to drink alcoholic beverages, they never think that they will become addicted, let alone die if they stop.
But something changes in the brain with repeated and heavy alcohol use. The body comes to physically need the alcohol in order to function “normally.”
When alcohol is stopped abruptly, the brain has no idea what is going on and continues to work as if alcohol is present. This can cause severe elevation of blood pressure, tremors, irregular heartbeat, seizures, and even death.
If you or a loved one is addicted to alcohol to the point where the body begins to get shaky after six to twelve hours with no alcohol intake, do not try to detox on your own. It can be fatal. Drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers can assist with a safe medical detox program that will ease withdrawal symptoms and possibly save your life. Alcohol withdrawal is no joke. Do not do it alone.