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You may have heard of “quitting cold turkey” when trying to detox from drugs or alcohol; it’s when the person just decides to stop taking the substance abruptly to quit the habit or detox. If you think you’re showing signs and symptoms of alcoholism, you may believe that quitting cold turkey is a good option; however, this unassisted cessation of alcohol can induce a life-threatening condition called alcohol withdrawal syndrome, and the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are something many people need to be aware of when trying to quit drinking.

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a very dangerous condition that’s different from health problems like alcohol poisoning or a vicious hangover. Most importantly, alcohol withdrawal syndrome can’t be managed or treated on its own; it requires medical attention and supervision. Master Center has helped thousands of patients get through alcohol withdrawal with expert clinical supervision, allowing the patient to safely manage withdrawal.

So, what are the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, and how can you know if you’re experiencing this health risk? Knowing this can be lifesaving when trying to get help for your own addiction and can help you prepare for a detox program.

What is Alcohol Withdrawal?

When someone engages in chronic alcohol use, their body becomes accustomed to alcohol in the blood and expects it. So, when they suddenly stop drinking, their body often goes into a kind of revolt; this is what’s known as “withdrawal.” This is why if you’re a heavy drinker and suddenly stop drinking without seeking medical advice and treatment, you face many life-threatening withdrawal risks.

Common & Severe Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can range from severe to mild. The severity depends on your history of alcohol abuse, how long you drank, and how much. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are commonly referred to as ‘the shakes,’ or feeling jittery, shaky, sweaty, and generally unwell. But the list of symptoms stretches much further than body tremors and an increased heart rate.

Common Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

• Shaky hands

• Anxiety

• Sweating

• Headache

• Nausea and vomiting

• Insomnia

• Irritability

Severe Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

• Hallucinations

• Seizures

• Fever

• High blood pressure

• Confusion

• Racing heart/increased heart rate

• Cardiac arrest

• Coma and death

All symptoms should be taken seriously, and it’s crucial to seek help immediately if withdrawal signs start.

What is the Alcohol Detox Timeline?

The entire alcohol withdrawal process can take 5 to 10 days and begins just hours after consumption ceases. Once you stop drinking, the liver starts to metabolize ethanol and move alcohol through the system. As the alcohol leaves your body, the symptoms outlined above may begin to appear.

Typically, withdrawal follows a general timeline for severe cases:

• 4-12 hours after the last drink: Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can begin, including anxiety, cravings, nausea, vomiting, and shaking.

• 24-72 hours after the last drink: The symptoms begin to peak, and the health risk is at its greatest. Hallucinations, irritability, seizures, and high blood pressure can occur, and there’s a risk of cardiac arrest.

• 5-10 days: Symptoms begin to subside; however, if you’re still experiencing withdrawal symptoms after the 72-hour mark, you might’ve entered alcohol withdrawal syndrome territory, and you should contact your medical provider immediately.

Withdrawal Symptoms Can Begin Very Quickly

Withdrawal symptoms can start as quickly as 6 hours after your final drink; however, for some, withdrawal symptoms can start a few days later. Your experience of alcohol withdrawal depends on many factors like your age, height, weight, and how much alcohol you consume daily.

Alcohol Withdrawal Can Lead to Life-Threatening Conditions

The severity of withdrawal depends upon the severity of the physical dependency. It also depends on the length of time over which a person heavily consumes alcohol. In the most severe cases, a person may experience delirium tremens.

What is Delirium Tremens?

Delirium Tremens — commonly referred to as the “D.T.s” — is a syndrome characterized by changes in mental states and autonomic nervous system excitation. Delirium Tremens is likely to occur in people who have a history of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, drink daily for months, or have abused alcohol for years. Delirium Tremens is the most severe symptom of alcohol withdrawal, but it only appears in less than 5% of people undergoing withdrawal.

Delirium Tremens usually occurs a day or two into withdrawal as all alcohol leaves the bloodstream. The condition occurs when the brain suddenly loses the alcohol depressant after long periods of suppression and vigorously springs into a dangerous rebound.

Signs of Delirium Tremens include:

• Body tremors

• Agitation

• Fever

• Severe confusion

• Disorientation

• Hallucinations

• Seizures

While rare, Delirium Tremens is a dangerous reaction and requires immediate medical attention. It could be fatal without medical intervention. If you are reading this and experiencing symptoms of delirium tremens, call 911 for emergency medical assistance immediately.

Treating Alcohol Withdrawal Requires Medical Help and Supervision

Not everyone who ceases drinking alcohol experiences alcohol withdrawal symptoms. However, symptoms may appear and escalate violently and quickly — with mild symptoms rapidly becoming severe and potentially even life-threatening.

You can detox at an inpatient facility under 24-hour supervision, or you can undergo a safe alcohol detox at home with approval from your medical provider; in fact, 90% of patients are eligible to complete their alcohol detox in an outpatient setting.

Regardless of the program, it’s crucial to first go to a trained medical provider to assess you and get you the right help. Detoxing on your own is dangerous and can kill you, so always go to a medical professional first.

Alcohol Detox is the First Step to Recovery

Wanting to quit alcohol is important to reclaiming your life from addiction; however, doing so on your own is incredibly dangerous and can kill you if you don’t have the proper medical assistance. That’s why it’s important to know the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and your treatment options so that you can get the proper help you need and overcome addiction.

Remember, also, that detox is just the beginning; managing the alcohol withdrawal is one part of the process, and true recovery requires a long-term, integrated approach with medical and behavioral specialists. For most people, detox is the first step to alcohol addiction treatment, and it’s a gateway to long-term recovery.

At Master Center our medically guided alcohol detox program has helped thousands of patients take that first step in their recovery journey, and you can be one of them, too. Reach out to the experts here to schedule a consultation appointment and determine what alcohol detox option is the next step to a healthier you.

About Master Center

Master Center is a groundbreaking addiction treatment program headquartered in Glen Allen, Va. Based on a vision of comprehensive outpatient care, Master Center was launched in 2016 and now includes locations throughout the Commonwealth.

Master Center offers a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach rarely seen in the outpatient setting, staffed by experienced addiction physicians, psychiatrists, counselors, therapists, and peer recovery coaches.