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Is it a hangover or alcohol withdrawal? Find out!

17 Oct 2026 · 1 min

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In this video, Amber Hollingsworth explains how to differentiate between a hangover and alcohol withdrawal by focusing on specific physical symptoms and contextual factors. She highlights shaking, sweating, a racing or pounding heart, clamminess, nausea, and vomiting as key signs that may indicate withdrawal, especially when they appear after a longer-than-usual period without alcohol or have occurred previously. Hollingsworth stresses that the timing of symptoms and an individual's drinking history are crucial for accurate assessment, noting that feeling miserable alone cannot reliably distinguish between a hangover, withdrawal, or other medical issues. She warns that repeated vomiting or an inability to retain fluids signals a need for urgent medical attention.

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One of the signs people recognize is shaking. If it starts when you've gone longer than usual without alcohol, that's information you need to take seriously, especially if it's happened before. And you can also have sweating and a racing heart. You might feel clammy, wake up sweaty, or notice your heart pounding when you're sitting still. Then there's the nausea and the vomiting. Well, of course I feel sick. I drank too much. But you can't reliably sort out a hangover, withdrawal, and other medical problems just by how miserable you feel. The timing and your drinking history matters. Repeated vomiting or being unable to keep fluids down needs urgent medical attention.