Alcohol withdrawal typically begins within about 6 to 8 hours after the last drink and can last from several days up to two weeks for physical symptoms, with psychological symptoms sometimes persisting for months. The withdrawal process generally follows these stages:
- First 6 to 12 hours: Early symptoms such as headaches, anxiety, stomach pain, insomnia, nausea, and poor appetite appear.
- 12 to 48 hours: Symptoms may escalate to include hallucinations and seizures.
- 48 to 72 hours: The most severe symptoms occur, including fever, sweating, confusion, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, and potentially delirium tremens (DTs), which is a life-threatening condition.
- After 72 hours: Symptoms typically begin to improve and gradually dissipate over the next 4 to 7 days, though some symptoms can last up to two weeks.
Physical withdrawal symptoms usually peak around 48 to 72 hours and last about 7 to 10 days but can extend to two weeks in some cases. Psychological symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, may continue for several months after physical symptoms subside
. Delirium tremens, a severe form of withdrawal, usually starts 48 to 72 hours after cessation, lasts 3 to 4 days, and can persist up to 8 to 10 days. It requires emergency medical treatment due to its potentially fatal nature
. In summary, while most people experience acute withdrawal symptoms for about 5 to 10 days, some symptoms may linger longer, and severe cases require medical supervision to ensure safety.
