Can beer drinkers have withdrawal symptoms? There is a misconception among some drinkers that if they stick to beer it is somehow better for them than drinking the harder stuff. Of course, it is true that you can get more intoxicated more quickly by drinking whiskey, simply because you have less fluid to swallow. You can down a 1.5 ounce shot of liquor a lot faster than you can a 12-ounce beer.
But there is just as much alcohol in a can of beer as there is in a standard mixed drink or a 5-ounce glass of wine. Each represents a standard drink when determining whether you are drinking at a safe level or at a high-risk level.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can occur when someone stops drinking alcohol. Those symptoms can range from mild, moderate or severe, but the severity of the symptoms has nothing to do with the type of alcohol the person was drinking.
How Much Beer Is Too Much?
The recommended guidelines for beer consumption are the same as they are for any other alcoholic beverages: For men, two or fewer beers a day and less than 14 beers a week. For women, it’s one or fewer beers a day and no more than seven beers a week.
Beer drinkers who stop drinking cold turkey can experience the same level of alcohol withdrawal symptoms as those drinkers who consume liquor or wine.
Any beer consumption above those levels is considered high-risk drinking. It puts you at increased risk for developing alcohol use disorders and negative health consequences.
How much, how often, and how long you consumed alcohol can all play a role in how severe withdrawal symptoms might be.
- If you drank only one beer a day, your withdrawal symptoms (if you have them) will be a lot less severe than if you drank a six-pack every day.If you drank only three times a week, chances are your withdrawal symptoms will be less severe than if you were a daily drinker.If you drank a case a week for 30 years, your withdrawal symptoms will probably be more severe than if you decided to quit after two years of that level of alcohol consumption.
Test the Severity of Your Withdrawal Symptoms
Do you have withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop drinking beer? Answering these 10 questions will give you an idea of whether your alcohol withdrawal symptoms are mild, moderate or severe.
Other risk factors are more personal: Size, gender, genetics, and even race can have an impact on how your body reacts to alcohol consumption and withdrawal.
The test is completely confidential and anonymous; your results are not recorded and are available only to you. You are not asked for any personally identifying information.
Severe symptoms, which usually occur about two days after withdrawal, can be life-threatening, so it is important to consult a doctor if you have concerns.
This quiz is not intended as a substitute for a professional medical evaluation. It should only be used as a guide to determining if your alcohol withdrawal symptoms are such that you should seek medical attention before you attempt to quit drinking.
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
