When you stop drinking your body needs time to readjust. This section contains information about what to expect.

Most people can come off alcohol quite safely at home. However, if you are ever worried about what is happening or have had a bad experience in the past, you should contact your doctor or local community alcohol team. There is no virtue in punishing yourself with bad withdrawals.

The first three days will probably be the worst. You can expect to feel anxious, irritable and restless and may have flu-like symptoms. Do not give up; in a week to ten days you will feel much better.

It is important to drink fruit juice during the first few days as alcohol has a high sugar content and it is helpful to replace this.

As a rule, alcohol disturbs your natural sleep patterns; trying to sleep without alcohol in your system might be difficult. If you can’t sleep or wake after just a few hours, don’t worry - this is quite normal and will right itself after a few weeks. You may want to try learning some relaxation exercises to help you sleep.

As the days go by, you will find old interests returning. Allow yourself to enjoy them. Watch TV as much as you like and try to get some exercise. Give yourself some small objectives that you know are achievable. If you want to give up smoking - do something about it at a later date - one thing at a time.

You also may want to explain to people close to you what you are going through. Don’t let it upset you if they appear to lack faith in you - they will also need time to adjust just like you.

Don’t forget that stopping drinking will not resolve the problems that started you drinking in the first place. Don’t feel that you can try to tackle the problems all right away. Once the alcohol is out of your system you will be in a better position to put your problems in to the proper perspective and can then begin to talk to someone who can help you get through them, such as a therapist.

Beware of setting yourself up to drink again. Prepare in your mind what you will say if someone offers you a drink.

It is not easy giving up alcohol, but by taking things slowly - one day at a time as AA puts it - and being realistic, you will succeed.