Alcohol is a legal substance that many people consume every day. In the U.S. alone, 54% of adults admitted to drinking alcohol in the last year.1 As awareness grows around the impact alcohol can have on physical and mental health, more people are beginning to ask important questions about withdrawal symptoms, how long they last, and what the recovery process may look like.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range from mild discomfort to serious, life-threatening complications, especially for those who have been drinking regularly over a long period of time. In more severe cases, symptoms may include seizures, dehydration, and delirium tremens (DTs), a serious condition that can involve confusion, hallucinations, and changes in the body’s normal functions.
Signs of alcohol withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal includes physical and psychological symptoms that range from a mild hangover to more dangerous symptoms that require hospitalization. That’s why recognizing the signs of alcohol withdrawal can be very difficult if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
Alcohol withdrawal is common, affecting many people who drink regularly, and alcohol use disorder (AUD) is one of the most common substance use disorders today. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reports that 27.9 million people ages 12 and older had an AUD in the past year.2
Mild symptoms
In the early stages of alcohol detox, symptoms begin to appear within 6 to 12 hours of your last drink. These symptoms can make you feel like you have the flu and include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Shakiness
- Anxiety
Your body is trying to cleanse itself from the alcohol while craving more alcohol at the same time. It can take anywhere from 2 to 72 hours for things to return to normal.
Moderate symptoms
People who drink heavily or regularly may experience more intense withdrawal symptoms when they stop. Symptoms include elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, confusion, and mood swings that begin 12 to 48 hours into withdrawals.
Mild symptoms can worsen, and you may experience psychological issues, such as anxiety and depression. Your average heart rate will be above 100 beats per minute, and blood pressure rates can range from 140/90 to 160/95. High blood pressure can occur during withdrawal and may increase the risk of complications.
Mood swings are very common during alcohol detox symptoms and can include irritability, restlessness, anxiety, and confusion.
Severe symptoms
If a friend or loved one is experiencing severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms, they are in danger and need to seek help immediately. Symptoms generally appear 48 to 72 hours into detoxing. Withdrawal symptoms include hallucinations, seizures, extreme agitation, high blood pressure, and delirium tremens.
Delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that can occur in some cases. It is extremely life-threatening. DTs require immediate medical attention and close supervision in a medically supervised detox program.
Symptoms of delirium tremens include:
- Profound confusion
- Vivid hallucinations
- Severe agitation
- Trembling
- High blood pressure
- Fever
DTs can be fatal if left untreated, but there are medications to ease these symptoms. Benzodiazepines such as diazepam or lorazepam are useful to calm the nervous system and stop seizures from occurring. They allow clients to focus less on their withdrawal symptoms and more on treating the underlying factors contributing to alcohol use.
Alcohol withdrawal timeline
Each person will experience different withdrawal symptoms depending on how long they have been drinking and how much they drink.
What happens in the first 72 hours after quitting drinking? Withdrawal starts anywhere from 6 to 12 hours after you stop drinking and can last for several days. Trying to quit drinking alone can increase the risk of relapse.
Timeline
Withdrawal Symptoms
6-12 Hours (Early Signs)
The first stages of withdrawal include mild symptoms, such as mild anxiety, tremors, headache, insomnia, and nausea and vomiting.
12-48 Hours (Moderate)
After 12 hours, you will experience increasingly uncomfortable symptoms. Moderate withdrawal symptoms such as increased blood pressure, rapid heart rate, confusion, and hallucinations will begin and worsen over time.
48-72 Hours (Severe Risk)
People are in danger of developing DTs and will require medical supervision through a detox program. If they do not seek medical help, the chance of death increases significantly.
3-7 Days
After 72 hours, most symptoms begin to dissipate but can linger for several weeks to months. Lingering symptoms include anxiety, fatigue, and insomnia.
Psychological symptoms can last well past the first week of detox and may continue for several months or longer. Symptoms can include anxiety and nervousness, insomnia, trouble thinking clearly, depression, and experiencing vivid dreams and nightmares.
How long does alcohol withdrawal last?
Alcohol withdrawal is different for each individual and depends on many factors. People with less frequent or lighter alcohol use may experience milder symptoms that last 1 to 3 days. Heavy, long-term alcohol use can lead to more intense symptoms that may take longer to resolve.
Acute symptoms of withdrawal can last anywhere from 5 to 7 days for most people, but can last much longer for some. Post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS) can last for several weeks up to two years. PAWS include anxiety, depression, insomnia, alcohol cravings, irritability, and fatigue.
Is alcohol withdrawal dangerous?
Alcohol withdrawal can be fatal without proper medical care. Withdrawal symptoms can be very painful and life-threatening, and enrolling in an alcohol detox program can help alleviate this pain. Detox centers like Tides Edge Detox use FDA-approved medications, administered by trained professionals who monitor your progress throughout your recovery.
Alcohol withdrawal medication and treatment
Medical detox is a proven medical necessity for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. This program uses benzodiazepines to help prevent seizures and ease other uncomfortable symptoms.
Benzodiazepines are often the best choice for treating withdrawal symptoms and include a variety of medications, such as:
- Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Lorazepam (Ativan)
- Oxazepam (Serax)
Some alcohol withdrawal medications include Naltrexone (Revia, Vivitrol), Acamprosate (Campral), disulfiram (Antabuse), Gabapentin (Neurontin), and Topiramate (Topamax).
Enrolling in an alcohol withdrawal treatment program includes medical detox, where medical staff will administer medications and monitor you for any side effects. They can adjust the dosage to ease any unwanted symptoms, and when the time comes, they will decrease the amount of medication until it is no longer necessary.
Alcohol use disorder and dependence
Alcohol use disorder is a mental health condition where the person is unable to stop drinking, even when it is medically necessary. It changes the brain’s chemical makeup to become dependent on alcohol, and when it does not get enough, it produces intense withdrawal symptoms that can be fatal.
One reason why alcohol withdrawals are so intense is alcohol dependence. Dependence happens with regular, heavy drinking and is a sign that the body is craving more alcohol. It will create severe discomfort and intense cravings for more alcohol.
How to stop drinking alcohol safely
There are safer ways to quit drinking alcohol, even if you are a heavy drinker. Quitting alcohol suddenly on your own can be dangerous. The central nervous system (CNS) has adapted to alcohol in your system. If you don’t continue drinking, it can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms.
If you want to quit drinking alcohol today, the safest path is through medical detox. A medical detox program can help clients withdraw from alcohol safely and prepare for ongoing treatment.
Medical alcohol detox at Tides Edge Detox
At Tides Edge Detox, we provide clients with 24/7 medically supervised alcohol detox in Jacksonville, FL. We work closely with each client to better understand the reasons behind their addiction and to develop a more comprehensive program to treat the disorder.
Tides Edge Detox provides medically supervised detox and can help clients take the next step in care based on their needs. You will work closely with a trained therapist to find the real reasons behind your drinking and learn healthy coping skills to stop drinking once and for all.
To learn more about Tides Edge Detox’s medically-supervised alcohol detox, call 866.723.3127 today to schedule a consultation with one of our dedicated team members.
Frequently asked questions
Alcohol use disorder is a serious mental health condition that is treatable through medication and therapy. Yes, you can die from alcohol withdrawal if you do not enroll in a detox program. The program uses medications to ease withdrawal symptoms and allow you to begin recovery safely under medical supervision.
The safest way to detox from alcohol is by enrolling in a 24/7 medical detox facility. Tides Edge Detox provides 24/7 monitoring and medication management to all our clients as they safely work on building a sober lifestyle.
Alcohol withdrawal typically lasts anywhere from 3 to 7 days, with symptoms peaking around the third day and dissipating from there. In some cases, Post-acute symptoms can last for much longer, anywhere from several weeks to years.
Yes. Most major insurance plans cover medical detox for alcohol withdrawal. Tides Edge Detox’s admissions team can assist you with contacting your insurance company to verify benefits and discuss what it covers.
