Alcohol withdrawal is the only common substance withdrawal that can be dangerous. Here is why.
Alcohol modulates GABA-A (inhibitory) and NMDA (excitatory) receptors simultaneously. Chronic use causes both systems to compensate. When alcohol is removed, you're left with a depleted inhibitory system and a hyperactive excitatory system, causing pathological CNS hyperexcitability. That is why severe alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures.
Medical Safety Notice
Heavy daily drinkers (more than 8 drinks/day or any history of withdrawal seizures, tremors, or hallucinations) must complete medically supervised detox before starting any protocol. Our app screening flow identifies these users and directs them to appropriate care. Relapsd is for mild-to-moderate drinkers and the post-detox maintenance phase.
The Mechanism
GABA-A/NMDA imbalance: when alcohol is removed, the CNS becomes hyperexcitable in the opposite direction of alcohol's effects. Mild: anxiety, tremors, sweating. Severe: seizures, hallucinations, delirium tremens. Additionally, chronic alcohol use depletes thiamine (B1), B6, and B12. Thiamine deficiency specifically risks Wernicke's encephalopathy, a neurological emergency.
GABA-A receptor
With alcohol: GABA dominant (sedation)
In withdrawal: glutamate dominant (hyperexcitability)
Withdrawal Timeline
6-24 hours
Anxiety, tremors, sweating, elevated heart rate as GABA-A hypersensitivity manifests.
24-48 hours
Peak acute symptoms. Seizure risk window for heavy users. Hallucinations in severe cases.
48-72 hours
Acute phase resolving. Delirium tremens risk window (rare but serious). Medical supervision critical if heavy user.
Week 1-2
Physical symptoms subsiding. Profound fatigue, insomnia, depression emerging.
Weeks 2-8
PAWS: mood instability, anxiety, cognitive fog, sleep disruption. Can persist months in heavy users.
Months 1-6
GABA-A and NMDA receptor density slowly normalizing. Dopamine system recovering.
The Protocol
What your protocol includes.
This is the clinical science the protocol is built on. Your protocol is designed around these mechanisms.
Craving Strips
as needed
Fast oral support for the acute urge window. A drink craving peaks and passes; the strips give you an interrupt ritual for exactly those minutes.
Gut Repair
morning
Alcohol damages the gut lining and the gut-brain axis it supports. Daily support for intestinal repair during recovery.
Biome Restore
morning
Chronic alcohol use disrupts the microbiome. Daily support for rebuilding the gut ecology that mood and digestion depend on.
Liver Complex
evening
The liver carries the metabolic load of every drinking year. Daily support for the organ doing the heaviest recovery work.
Sleep Protocol
evening
Insomnia is one of the most persistent PAWS symptoms. Evening support without another sedative, which matters for this line more than any other.
The Cornerstone
Liver Complex
Alcohol's damage is systemic: liver, gut lining, microbiome, sleep. The DRY protocol is built around organ-level recovery alongside craving support. Liver Complex anchors the repair layer, working with Gut Repair and Biome Restore while the nervous system rebalances over the PAWS timeline.
The 8-Week System
Week by week. What to expect.
Medical screening completed. Nutritional preparation for 3 days before quit date.
Full DRY protocol. App check-in 3x daily. Anxiety and insomnia management primary focus.
Craving support continued. Liver and gut support ongoing. PAWS mood symptoms addressed.
Maintenance. Liver and gut support continue as long as needed.
Choose Your Tier
Choose Your DRY Tier.
Medical Safety
Not for use in medically significant alcohol withdrawal. If you drink more than 8 drinks per day or have experienced seizures when stopping, consult a physician before starting any protocol.
Starter
Billed monthly
- Craving Strips - fast-acting oral craving relief
- Sleep Protocol - REM and sleep-quality support
- App Premium - full access
- Substance-specific AI coach
- Emergency craving mode
- 8-week protocol guide
For mild to moderate drinkers. Medical safety screening included.
Protocol adapts weekly based on your craving data.
Cancel anytime. No questions.
Protocol
Billed monthly
- Craving Strips - fast-acting oral craving relief
- Gut Repair - intestinal lining repair
- Biome Restore - rebuilds the gut microbiome
- Sleep Protocol - REM and sleep-quality support
- App Premium - full access
- Substance-specific AI coach
- Emergency craving mode
- 8-week protocol guide
The complete GABA stabilization and gut recovery protocol.
Protocol adapts weekly based on your craving data.
Cancel anytime. No questions.
Complete
Billed monthly
- Craving Strips - fast-acting oral craving relief
- Gut Repair - intestinal lining repair
- Biome Restore - rebuilds the gut microbiome
- Liver Complex - support for the organ doing the heaviest recovery
- Colostrum Advanced Gut Repair - advanced gut-barrier repair
- Sleep Protocol - REM and sleep-quality support
- App Premium - full access
- Substance-specific AI coach
- Emergency craving mode
- 8-week protocol guide
- Priority AI coach access
Every intervention for the full alcohol recovery timeline.
Protocol adapts weekly based on your craving data.
Cancel anytime. No questions.
Bundle & Save
Quitting more than one? Add a second line and save 15%, all three and save 25%. Build your bundle when you start the protocol.
Every tier includes app premium. Cancel anytime.
FAQ
Is Relapsd safe for alcohol withdrawal?
For mild-to-moderate drinkers: yes, with medical clearance. For heavy daily drinkers (more than 8 drinks/day) or anyone with a history of seizures during withdrawal: medical detox is required first. Our app screening flow identifies and redirects high-risk users to appropriate medical care. We are not a medical detox service.
Why is B1 (thiamine) so important?
Alcohol impairs thiamine absorption and increases excretion. Severe thiamine deficiency causes Wernicke's encephalopathy, a neurological emergency characterized by confusion, eye movement problems, and coordination loss. High-dose thiamine is the most medically important part of alcohol recovery.
What is PAWS?
Post-acute withdrawal syndrome: a prolonged phase of mood instability, anxiety, cognitive fog, and sleep disruption that follows the acute withdrawal period. PAWS can last weeks to months in heavy users. The DRY protocol is specifically designed to support this phase, not just the initial acute withdrawal.