Alcohol withdrawal symptoms often include a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including stomach pain. Alcohol withdrawal stomach pain, also called alcohol gastritis, can be difficult to deal with alone. Read on to learn the causes of alcohol withdrawal stomach pain and how to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms with the assistance of knowledgeable professionals.

What is Alcohol Withdrawal Stomach Pain?

Alcohol withdrawal stomach pain is essentially stomach pain caused by alcohol withdrawal. It’s one of many different alcohol withdrawal symptoms you could experience once you stop drinking.

Alcohol withdrawal stomach pain is characterized by a variety of symptoms, like:

• Stomach discomfort, including aching or dull pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Difficulty keeping food or drink down
• Feeling other gastrointestinal distress

In many cases, alcohol withdrawal stomach pain is one of the first and last symptoms to appear and leave during alcohol withdrawal. It is often accompanied by other withdrawal symptoms like headaches, irritability, mood swings, and much more, so it may be difficult to notice if the other symptoms are severe.

Acute vs. Chronic Alcohol Gastritis

Alcohol withdrawal stomach pain can be separated into two broad types: acute and chronic alcohol gastritis.

Acute alcohol gastritis is a symptom characterized by a sudden inflammation of the stomach lining. It may include a variety of severe symptoms¹, including:

• Gas
• Bloating
• Ulcers
• Stomach irritation
• Hemorrhaging
• Vomiting
• Nausea

Meanwhile, chronic alcohol gastritis develops as a type of alcohol withdrawal. This persistent condition may cause long-term inflammation of the stomach lining. If it is left untreated, this could cause your stomach to lose its protective abilities. The acid in your stomach may harm your stomach tissue and cause other long-term health complications. Symptoms of chronic alcohol gastritis can include:

• Chronic abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach irritation
• Anemia
• Fatigue or exhaustion

What Causes Alcohol Gastritis?

Alcohol gastritis is sometimes caused when you consume alcohol, and the stomach lining or membrane is irritated.² Your stomach has a specific membrane that protects itself and the digestive tract from the enzymes and acids that break down food and other nutritious substances.

If you consume too much alcohol, you could destroy or damage this protective membrane, leading to alcohol gastritis and overall stomach irritation. If you suffer from alcohol use disorder, you may become more likely to develop alcohol gastritis. Furthermore, the longer you experience alcohol use disorder, the more likely your alcohol gastritis symptoms will become chronic or even permanent.

Given these risk factors, it’s a good idea to seek out medical attention at the earliest opportunity.

Is Stomach Pain a Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptom?

Alcohol withdrawal stomach pain can be a very common symptom, and you may be at a greater risk of experiencing this symptom if:

• You drink alcohol excessively
• You smoke excessively or use other illicit drugs
• You consume a diet that is high in fat, oil, preservatives, or saturated or trans fats
• You lead a stressful lifestyle
• You have one or more autoimmune conditions, such as high blood pressure, which can weaken the body

However, you will not necessarily always experience alcohol gastritis in the grips of alcohol withdrawal. It’s also possible to experience alcohol gastritis after consuming a small amount of alcohol, even if you are not addicted to the substance.

Regardless, if you experienced the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal stomach pain, you should seek out medical assistance when you attempt to stop drinking.

How to Treat Alcohol Withdrawal and Stomach Pain

Generally, the best way to treat alcohol withdrawal and stomach pain is to stop drinking alcohol right away. Of course, this will only provide temporary relief of your symptoms and will not help you in the long run. If you or a loved one are in the midst of an alcohol use disorder, you should seek out licensed treatment specialists or attend inpatient therapy right away.

Inpatient alcohol addiction treatment will prevent you from consuming alcohol and provide you with a safe, stable environment from which you can build healthier habits.

Treating alcohol withdrawal and stomach pain may further involve the use of various medications as prescribed by a licensed medical professional. Your doctor might recommend painkillers or other medications that can help to restore the stomach’s protective lining and membrane. Ultimately, the details of your alcohol gastritis treatment will depend on your symptoms, how long you have been experiencing symptoms, and other elements.

Contact Clear Life Recovery Today

If you or a loved one have experienced alcohol withdrawal stomach pain, know that you aren’t alone. Furthermore, you should speak to licensed treatment professionals to get the assistance and support you need.

At Clear Life Recovery, our alcohol detox program can help you overcome the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, including alcohol gastritis. Our knowledgeable, compassionate staff members will help you understand the root causes of alcohol addiction and help you build positive habits to prevent relapsing in the future. Contact us today to learn more.

 

Sources:

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1412478/

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310265/