One typical side effect of drinking alcohol is sweating. Many people’s night sweats are based temporarily on the amount of alcohol they drank on a specific occasion. They won’t have any long-term effects.
People who consistently get hot at night after drinking may have a drinking problem. Long-term alcohol usage carries a number of hazards, including cancer and liver damage. Therefore, getting assistance is advised.
People who think they may have alcohol use disorder (AUD) or alcohol intolerance should consult a physician.
People who frequently have night sweats should also schedule an appointment with their doctor to identify the underlying problem, especially if they also have other symptoms.
Why Does Alcohol Withdrawal Make You Sweat?
We must comprehend the effects of alcohol intake on the body and brain in order to respond to this question. Alcohol affects the nervous system, causing blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature to fluctuate, which in turn causes the skin’s blood vessels to enlarge and make the body sweat more than it normally would.
The blood vessels in the skin begin to enlarge when the heart rhythm becomes unnaturally fast and erratic. Vasodilation is the medical term for this process, which causes the skin to flush and cause profuse sweating.
After drinking alcohol, most people typically feel warm and flushed. Nevertheless, their body temperature drops noticeably when the blood moves from the core to the skin due to the expanded blood vessels. The body can release heat through perspiration. People who drink too much alcohol in cold weather run the danger of developing hypothermia. People begin to feel lightheaded, dehydrated, and nauseous in hot weather, along with heavy sweating.
Drinkers who consume large amounts of alcohol are more prone to suffer from uncomfortable night sweats or excessive perspiration that lasts for hours during the day. AUD sufferers frequently experience excessive perspiration.
The majority of AUD patients report having nocturnal sweats. These are transient symptoms that co-occur with other temporary symptoms like nausea, appetite loss, depression, anxiety, and more.
Alcohol withdrawal and night sweats
Alcohol withdrawal might lead to night sweats. If you consider yourself to be an alcoholic, it’s critical that you refrain from quitting drinking without first consulting a doctor because the process could be fatal.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms, such as night sweats, usually start to manifest 8 hours after your last drink and peak between 24 and 72 hours afterwards. There are three levels of withdrawal symptoms: mild, moderate, and severe. Because the intensity of the symptoms can fluctuate within hours, it is crucial to exercise caution.
Experiencing Alcohol Withdrawals
When someone who has gotten addicted to alcohol, or any substance for that matter, tries to cease their dependence, they generally go through withdrawal. They experience many unpleasant symptoms due to their battle to overcome their addiction, such as increased sweating and nausea. The body reacts by producing these withdrawal symptoms when the blood alcohol level starts to drop.
It is critical to comprehend how long alcohol stays in your system in order to comprehend how alcohol withdrawal functions. Alcohol is a depressant that remains in the body for a shorter period of time than other drugs; however, alcohol can be seen in the urine for up to four or five days. Alcoholics frequently experience nausea and sweating during the early stages of stopping consumption, among other unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
The body wakes up when it sweats excessively at night due to the discomfort and humidity. It can also occur throughout the day, pushing the person to have their first drink of the day. Withdrawal symptoms can start as soon as a few hours after your last drink, and for some people, they can take a few days to manifest.
The unpleasant symptoms of nausea and night sweats can also go away in a matter of days for some people. Others, though, must endure suffering for a number of weeks. It is critical to realise that everybody reacts to alcohol withdrawal and dependence differently. The treatment plan and strategy have a significant impact on the withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol withdrawal might cause mild symptoms like:
Delirium tremens (DTs) are the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal. This is a highly critical and life-threatening situation that needs to be treated immediately.
Seizures can occur after severe withdrawal because alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, and sudden withdrawal can cause CNS excitability.
Daily drinkers at risk of being physically dependent on alcohol should not suddenly cease drinking, as they will be at risk of withdrawal seizures and delirium tremens. You should seek medical guidance and support to stop drinking if you’re wondering how to stop alcohol sweating. Although it is generally safe to cut back on intake gradually using a tapering regimen, doing so, in reality, is quite challenging because it calls for complete self-control and restriction of alcohol use.
What Should You Do if You’re Struggling With Alcohol-Induced Sweating?
It is critical to get medical help if a person has been enduring steadily uncomfortable symptoms for several days or more than a week. Most people who begin a programme of alcohol abstinence or detox after binge drinking must deal with distressing withdrawal symptoms. It is essential to realise that this is a battle that cannot be won by one person alone.
It’s not normal to perspire a lot because it dehydrates the body too much and drains it of salt and nutrients. More significantly, it impairs sleep quality and causes disruptions, which can cause irreparable harm to the body.
The body might become progressively dehydrated and deprived of vital nutrients and minerals if you sweat all day and all night. Therefore, individuals must provide their bodies with nutrition and combat the dehydration brought on by excessive sweating.
A medical practitioner and addiction specialist can assist a person in overcoming these symptoms with medical care. An inpatient alcohol treatment will also help a person feel more emotionally determined to overcome the addiction. People can learn about their alternatives by performing a straightforward search for a local inpatient alcohol recovery facility. The rehabilitation facility that has received positive reviews is always preferable to the one that is most convenient for you.
Thankfully, several programmes now help people overcome alcohol and drug addictions through natural, medical, and therapy sessions. Starting medical therapy is essential, as is obtaining strength from AA organisations and other support groups. Several long-term alcohol treatment clinics in the UK can help with recovery and rehabilitation.
Tips for Dealing with Alcohol-Related Night Sweats
The following may be helpful to certain people:
Take in a lot of water throughout the day, but not at night.
exercise frequently throughout the day, not just before bed.
balance your diet and limit your intake of sugary foods and beverages.
Avoid hot beverages and spicy meals before bed.
Use natural fibres to sleep on, such as cotton sheets, to keep your body cool.
Dress comfortably for bed.
To lower your body temperature before night, take a shower or a bath.
Additionally, some people are more susceptible to alcohol than others. Alcohol causes your skin’s blood vessels to enlarge, which increases sweating. So it might be a sign that you’re more sensitive if you start to perspire heavily after one or two beers or glasses of wine. One of the causes of people getting heated and flushed after drinking is this. Your cheeks turning bright red could also be explained by the increased blood flow to the face.
Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is a frequent condition. Many individuals with the problem are too ashamed to ask for assistance. However, excessive head and facial perspiration can be treated with injections of botulinum toxin type A (Botox), which has been proven to be successful.
When determining whether this course of therapy is ideal for you, you must take into account the degree of alcohol sweating and how it affects daily activities.
We can help you if you are having trouble quitting drinking so that you can live a fulfilling life free from addiction. Although it can be difficult to accept that you have a problem, this is the first and most important step you need to take.
You will receive treatment at one of the alcohol treatment facilities based on your requirements and the degree of your dependency. This may involve detoxification, which is carried out in a secure setting with round-the-clock care and assistance. Additionally, inpatient rehabilitation can assist you in understanding why you drink and creating future coping mechanisms. We also provide outpatient therapy, where individuals can obtain alcoholism treatment while keep spending the night in the comfort of their own homes.
Treatment for Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a condition that includes wanting alcohol and continuing to consume alcohol despite experiencing recurring alcohol-related issues, such as losing their job or getting into legal trouble. It can result in a wide range of health issues, such as dementia, cirrhosis of the liver, birth defects, heart disease, and stroke. Alcoholism can be successfully treated with counselling sessions (therapy) and a few drugs that help ease the detoxification process. However, avoiding triggers and temptations related to the condition is a lifelong process, and it’s crucial to learn coping mechanisms and techniques during rehab to increase the chances of long-term sobriety.
Intensive Treatment
These treatment options are for those who may be suffering from serious alcoholism and addiction and require a lot of support. These treatments can last anywhere from one month to over a year and frequently occur in a hospital or other inpatient treatment facility.
While you are enrolled in the programme, the programme personnel will constantly monitor your health. Additionally, they will assist you with any issues that arise while you are receiving therapy.
Residential Treatment
You have the opportunity to live at the treatment facility while receiving therapy through this option. You will remain there around the clock and receive care from a variety of medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, therapists, and other staff members.
Additionally, you’ll get to participate in events and courses that give you practical life skills. These cover time management, abstaining from drugs and socialising without drinking. Although some of these programmes are shorter or longer, the typical duration is 30 to 90 days.
Outpatient Treatment
You can receive treatment for your problem drinking while carrying on with your daily activities if you choose this course of action. You can attend group or individual therapy sessions in the treatment facility several times each week, or you can attend meetings with other alcoholic sufferers at another treatment facility. If you need assistance, you may also contact a member of the team.
Get Help Today!
Excessive alcohol consumption can make your life miserable but, fortunately, can be successfully addressed and treated with adequate expertise and conditions.
If you or someone you know is feeling intense night sweats (or for a long time) due to alcohol abuse, please contact us to seek support and advice on the best treatment for the situation.
Last Edited: September 19th, 2022
Clinically Reviewed: July 14, 2022
Clinical Reviewer
Michael
BACP accredited psychotherapist with 16 years experience working in mental health specialising in psychodynamic person-centred therapies treating those with a range of mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, OCD and Addiction.
