Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline: Symptoms and What to Expect

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. For people at low risk of complications, an office visit to your primary care provider, along with at-home monitoring and virtual office visits, may suffice. People at high risk of complications should enter a short-term in-patient detox program. However, medical complications can occur during the acute phase of withdrawal. For those with alcohol use disorder, withdrawal is just the first (but very important) step on a long journey to recovery.

When a client’s body and mind are able to function closer to normal levels, it makes them more likely to benefit from the rest of the treatment process. Given the alarming nature of these withdrawal symptoms, it’s reasonable for you to question how long it takes to go through withdrawal. The best way to begin withdrawing from alcohol is in a quiet, dark room. If you have people around you, make sure that it remains a calm and supportive environment. Drug addiction is a common illness, and effective treatment is the key to long term recovery. Our programs facilitate long term recovery from addiction, one step at a time.

What is the alcohol withdrawal timeline?

“Last night was horrible. I was soaking wet with sweat, I jumped a few times in my sleep, and I had very vivid dreams.” “I think I’ve seriously damaged my brain. Maybe a seizure. Sudden sharp pains in the head. Visual, auditory, and tactile hallucinations. Confusion. Couldn’t walk right.” John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Alcohol (ethanol) depresses (slows down) your central nervous system (CNS). If you consistently consume significant amounts of alcohol, your CNS gets used to this effect.

Especially during the detox process as it can sometimes lead to the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal such as heart palpitations, high blood pressure, and tactile hallucinations. Regarding the likelihood of experiencing withdrawal, it’s difficult to make precise predictions. The development of withdrawal symptoms depends on various individual factors, including your body chemistry, the amount and frequency of alcohol consumption, age, and any co-occurring physical or mental health conditions. Alcohol withdrawal can be deadly, particularly in severe cases, due to risks like seizures and delirium tremens (DTs) that require immediate medical attention.

Timeline of Alcohol Withdrawal

There are exasperating alcohol withdrawal symptoms you might experience in a typical hangover, such as a lingering headache and nausea. Then there are more intense and critical symptoms, usually present in those with alcohol use disorder (AUD)—50% of whom will experience severe https://ecosoberhouse.com/ alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The quantitative, measurable detection of drinking is important for the successful treatment of AUD. Therefore, the importance of direct and indirect alcohol markers to evaluate consumption in the acute clinical setting is increasingly recognized.

The prognosis (outlook) for someone with alcohol withdrawal depends greatly on its severity. You may also receive other medications or treatments for related health issues, like IV fluids for dehydration and electrolyte imbalances or antinausea medicines if you experience vomiting. By Sarah Bence, OTR/L

Sarah 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. Behavioral health treatment for alcohol problems is often (but not always) covered by insurance.

Who Experiences Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?

Remember that it’s important to connect with a medical professional before you stop drinking to ensure that you can go through each stage safely. Other common household substances can also contain a significant amount of alcohol if ingested in large quantities, including mouthwash and cough syrup. Some of these items may also contain a high content of salicylates or acetaminophen, so consider checking aspirin and acetaminophen levels in patients presenting with alcohol withdrawal. When you engage in chronic heavy drinking, your brain adapts to the presence of alcohol in your blood to maintain homeostasis (a balanced state). As your brain grows accustomed to higher blood alcohol concentration levels, it starts to rely on alcohol to function properly.

Alcohol withdrawal causes a range of symptoms when a person with alcohol use disorder stops or significantly decreases their alcohol intake. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, with the most severe being life-threatening. This article discusses alcohol withdrawal, its symptoms, and potential complications. It also provides an overview of the alcohol withdrawal timeline process and when to discuss your drinking with your healthcare provider.

Stage Three: 24-48 Hours Post-Alcohol

Medical detox for treatment of alcohol misuse is provided through both inpatient rehab and outpatient treatment centers. The treatment option you select will usually depend on previous alcohol abuse, the amount of alcohol consumed during your addiction, and any co-occurring health concerns. Instead of quitting “cold turkey,” medical detox offers medical attention and support to prevent you from experiencing more severe withdrawal side effects.

“I’m feeling fantastic. I have lost weight, and my skin looks amazing [I suffered from rashes all over my body and face]. My energy and confidence are back. It is wonderful.” “I am much calmer, anxiety has subsided, stomach better, have an appetite, and sleeping eight hours without waking up at 4 a.m.” “I feel terrific! I’m still having trouble falling asleep, but once I do, it is very, very sound. And I feel so much better than any morning after having the drink. I had some pain in my esophagus when swallowing, and that is now gone.” “I feel good today but was very irritable last night. My clothes are fitting better, and my face isn’t as puffy.”