Cutting down or stopping regular use of alcohol or other drugs can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal is your body adjusting to not having alcohol or other drugs after you’ve been using for an extended period of time. 

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Most people only experience mild withdrawal symptoms that pass after a few days. If you’ve been using higher amounts or for longer periods of time, you might experience more unpleasant symptoms. These can last from 1 week to a few months depending on what you were using. 

These are some drugs that can be dangerous and potentially fatal to suddenly stop using if you’ve been using them regularly for a long time: 

If your loved one is using any of these drugs regularly, make sure they see a Health Professional for help tapering off safely. 

These drugs are unpleasant to withdrawal from, but can be done on their own at home: 

Prepare for withdrawal

It is harder to predict what withdrawal symptoms a person will experience if they have been using more than one drug.

The length and intensity of their withdrawal will depend on things like:

  • what you have been using – how you use them (drinking, smoking, snorting, injecting), how much they used, how often and for how long
  • how physically and mentally well you are
  • how supportive the people around you are
  • what spaces in your living environment are drug or alcohol free (or could be made that way)
  • how your living environment can help them through withdrawal (easy access to the bathroom, noise, temperature). 


Withdrawal symptoms are usually at their highest 2–4 days after you last used drugs. Some symptoms (low mood, poor sleep, fatigue) can last for a few weeks. 

Think about these things to get prepared: 

  • What can you tell the people they are living with?
  • How can you stay away from people who are using alcohol and other drugs?
  • Who can you speak to for support? 


Disrupted or broken sleep is normal when going through withdrawal. Try these things to help you sleep better at night:

  • Be physically active during the day.
  • Have 1 hour of winding down time before bed, doing simple activities like listening to music or reading a book.
  • Get up at the same time every morning.
  • Avoid napping during the day if you can.
  • Write down what’s on your mind to avoid those thoughts going round and round in your head.
  • Avoid coffee, caffeine, energy drinks and cigarettes before bed.
  • Try drinking non-caffeinated hot drinks to help relax.
  • Have an extra blanket on the bed. You can easily pull it over you if you get cold or take it off if you feel hot. You may go through patches of feeling hot and cold while going through withdrawal.  

You can also download workbooks for withdrawing at home These guides from Te Pou can help you recognise and manage withdrawal symptoms.  

  • Managing your own withdrawal. This booklet will help you understand what you might experience when withdrawing. It also includes suggestions about how to make it easier on themselves and the people around them.
  • P**d off.  If you’re stopping regular methamphetamine use, this guide can help you to manage the withdrawal symptoms at home.