Author: James Anderson

Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal: Timeline and Signs of Danger

Treatment may involve a brief intervention, individual or group counseling, an outpatient program, or a residential inpatient stay. Working to stop alcohol use to improve quality of life is the main treatment goal. Early symptoms of alcohol withdrawal usually start about six hours after the last drink. Early symptoms include headache, sweating, tremors, vomiting and difficulty concentrating.

Light exercise and a proper diet can help you adjust to the detox. Exercise can reduce stress, improve mood, and bolster your immune system. It can be helpful to write down your reasons for quitting and the difficulty of withdrawal while it is fresh in your mind. If you decide to get treatment, your doctor can recommend the type of care that you need.

For most people, alcohol withdrawal symptoms will begin to subside after 72 hours. If you are still experiencing withdrawal symptoms after three days, talk to your healthcare provider. Most people with mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal don’t need treatment in a hospital. But severe or complicated alcohol withdrawal can result in lengthy hospital stays and even time in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Seizures can occur within the first 24 hours, but seizures occur only in about 25 percent of patients, according to the NIAAA. If you are considering at-home detox, speak with your doctor before beginning the process. They can help you determine the best and safest action for your needs. Start a new hobby or plan a project to keep your mind off cravings and triggers.

Ask For Support From a Loved One

Those with a wider circle of support have a better chance of staying sober. When that person cuts out alcohol, there is a period when their brain hasn’t yet received the message and still overproduces the stimulating chemicals. With alcohol out of the equation, though, these chemicals cause withdrawal symptoms. Over time, however, the body builds a tolerance to alcohol, and a person may have to drink more and more to get the same feeling.

Expect to feel some discomfort, including anxiety, sweating or irritability. If you feel severe symptoms, such as hallucinations, rapid heartbeat or disorientation, call 911 immediately. You should plan to taper for between three and seven days depending on how much you’re used to drinking. Slowly reduce the amount of alcohol you consume each day until you reach sobriety.

It can be an alternative to inpatient or residential treatment or a step-down from one of those programs. When someone with a dependence on alcohol suddenly stops drinking, usually within 6-24 hours after their last drink, they might develop withdrawal symptoms. It can range from mild to severe, depending on how many symptoms you have. The care you’ll need depends in part on where you fall in that range. Most people recover from alcohol withdrawal within a week, but people with severe dependency may experience withdrawal for multiple weeks. Your health care provider or mental health provider will ask additional questions based on your responses, symptoms and needs.

What Causes Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?

When you stop consuming alcohol after prolonged, heavy use, your CNS can’t respond or regulate itself fast enough. It becomes overexcited because there’s no more alcohol to slow it down. Eating healthier helps your body heal from the effects of alcohol. It also ensures your body has proper nutrition to maintain stamina during the stress it will go through during detox. Research shows people who have a supportive social network are more likely to remain alcohol-free after withdrawal.

It’s important to be honest about your alcohol use — and any other substance use — so your provider can give you the best care. Each of these symptoms can increase in intensity depending on the severity of the withdrawal. BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor. You can even use this as an opportunity to develop healthier habits.

1. For people who experience hallucinations as part of alcohol withdrawal, these may begin in the 12- to 24-hour time frame.
2. Overall, do whatever you can to make yourself as comfortable as possible.
3. A community of understanding and empathetic people can help you recover.
4. You can choose to taper your substance use or go “cold turkey.” In either case, you won’t have outside support or treatment.
5. Millions of people join support groups to help stop drinking and stay stopped.
6. Although detoxing from alcohol at home can have benefits, the early stages of sobriety pose a dangerous risk for medical complications.

Remember you are facing a difficult challenge during alcohol withdrawal, but you are not alone. There are many resources available to help, including peer support groups, counseling, therapy, and inpatient rehabilitation. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms range from mild but annoying to severe and life-threatening.

More on Substance Abuse and Addiction

These may still be mild, or the existing symptoms might increase in severity. There is no exact timeline for alcohol withdrawal, and individual factors, such as the level of dependence on alcohol, will influence it. When someone drinks alcohol for a prolonged period of time and then stops, the body reacts to its absence. This is alcohol withdrawal, and it causes uncomfortable physical and emotional symptoms. But treatment varies based on the severity of alcohol withdrawal and the likelihood that it could progress to severe or complicated withdrawal. Some people experience prolonged withdrawal symptoms, like insomnia and mood changes, that can last for weeks or months.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 (or your local emergency service number) if you or a loved one has any concerning symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Late symptoms begin between two and four days after the last drink, and they usually include changes in heart rate, breathing and blood pressure. Serious symptoms caused by delirium tremens include hallucination and seizure.

By Sarah Bence, OTR/LSarah Bence, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist and freelance writer. She specializes in a variety of health topics including mental health, dementia, celiac disease, and endometriosis. Individuals should be prepared to be uncomfortable during this period and have medical help available if needed.