
Updated February 2, 2021
Even if you’ve never been addicted to alcohol, you probably already know that feeling of waking up tired, dehydrated, and a little nauseous from too much to drink the night before. Tiredness is normal as part of a hangover, but if you’ve ever tried to get sober, you know that extreme fatigue is a common side effect of alcohol withdrawal.
So why does fatigue after quitting alcohol happen? What follows is an in-depth look at how stopping drinking can entail fatigue, including answers to common questions about alcohol-related fatigue and tips for managing it.
How Quitting Alcohol Affects the Body
When you’re addicted to a substance, your body has come to rely on that substance being present for normal function. For example, alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, which means it slows your heart rate, respiratory rate, and brain activity, and it can also lower your blood pressure. This is why some people who drink alcohol experience feelings of calmness, relaxation, or sleepiness.
In the case of ongoing alcohol use, your body gets accustomed to operating at this level, and when you stop drinking alcohol, whether overnight, for a day at work, or as part of trying to get sober, your body starts to experience withdrawal symptoms. Depending on the severity of the drinking and your overall health, unmanaged, cold-turkey alcohol withdrawal can be very unpleasant. Some common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:
- Extreme fatigue
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
In severe cases, those who are addicted to alcohol and try to stop drinking may experience alcohol withdrawal syndrome and delirium tremens. This is a very serious condition that can cause seizures, dangerous spikes in blood pressure and heart rate and even hallucinations. If you think you’re experiencing symptoms of delirium tremens, seek medical care immediately.
Common Questions About Alcohol, Fatigue, and the Solution
Fatigue is one of the most frequently experienced symptoms on the above list. It’s therefore not surprising to come across questions about it in chat rooms and forums. Some of the most commonly asked questions and their answers are as follows:
Do you feel tired when you stop drinking?
Yes. Many people feel tired after they stop drinking— whether that means after a night of over-indulging or in the early days of sobriety.
You also don’t have to be a heavy drinker or someone who binges on alcohol to experience alcohol-induced exhaustion. Someone who goes to the bar with a friend and has one too many drinks can also experience lethargy the next day. We know this to be true on the basis of the answer to the next question.