How Long Does Alcohol Withdrawal Last? Quitting Alcohol

How Long Does Alcohol Withdrawal Last?

Alcohol withdrawal happens when someone who drinks a lot suddenly stops. It can be tough. How long it lasts is different for everyone, usually lasting a few days to a week. It depends on things like how much they drank, their health, and if they have other medical or mental health issues.

Knowing how long withdrawal lasts is important for the person going through it and for their friends and family. It helps them know what to expect and when to get medical help if needed.

How Long Do Symptoms Last When You Quit Drinking?

When you stop drinking, how long you feel symptoms can be different for each person. It depends on how much you used to drink and how healthy you are. If you only had mild symptoms like feeling anxious or irritable, they might start soon after your last drink and last a few days. But if your symptoms are more serious, like seizures or shaking a lot, they could last a week or even longer.

It’s really important to get help from a doctor when you’re going through alcohol withdrawal. They can give you medicine and keep an eye on you to make sure you’re safe and comfortable.

Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome Symptoms

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome happens when someone suddenly stops drinking after drinking a lot for a long time. It causes different symptoms that can be physical or mental. Here are some of the symptoms:

• Shaking: One common symptom is shaking, especially in the hands or other parts of the body.
• Feeling Nervous: People might feel worried or nervous, which can get worse as withdrawal goes on.
• Feeling Sick: Symptoms like feeling like throwing up or actually vomiting are common. This can make you lose fluids and important minerals.
• Sweating a Lot: People might sweat a lot, especially when sleeping. This can make them feel uncomfortable and have trouble sleeping.
• Trouble Sleeping: It’s common to have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep during withdrawal. This can make people feel restless and tired during the day.
• Fast Heartbeat: Your heart might beat really fast, which shows that your body is adjusting to not having alcohol anymore.
• Seeing or Hearing Things: Some people might see, hear, or feel things that aren’t there. This can be scary and might need medical help.
• Seizures: In severe cases, some people might have seizures, which are serious and need immediate medical attention.

These symptoms can vary from person to person, and it’s important to get help from a doctor if you or someone you know is going through alcohol withdrawal. They can provide support and medical care to make the process safer and more comfortable.

Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline

Understanding the alcohol withdrawal timeline is essential for individuals navigating the process of quitting drinking and for healthcare professionals providing support and treatment. This timeline outlines the typical progression of symptoms that individuals may experience after abruptly stopping or significantly reducing their alcohol intake.

• Early Withdrawal (6-12 hours): At the beginning, you might feel mild symptoms like shaking, worry, sweating, and feeling like throwing up as your body gets used to not having alcohol.
• Peak Withdrawal (24-48 hours): In the first two days, symptoms can get worse with more restlessness, trouble sleeping, faster heartbeat, and sometimes seeing or hearing things that aren’t there.
• Continued Withdrawal (2-5 days): Symptoms can stay strong during this time, with ongoing discomfort, feeling really bad mentally, and in severe cases, a higher risk of seizures.
• Subacute Withdrawal (5-7 days): Towards the end of the first week, symptoms usually start to get better, but some people might still have trouble sleeping, feel anxious, or have mood swings.
• Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) (weeks to months): For some people, symptoms might last for weeks or even months after they stop drinking. This can include feeling moody, having cravings for alcohol, and finding it hard to think clearly.

What is Delirium Tremens?

Delirium tremens (DTs) is a severe and potentially life-threatening form of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. It typically manifests with symptoms such as profound confusion, agitation, hallucinations (often visual), fever, and severe autonomic instability, including rapid heart rate and elevated blood pressure.

Delirium tremens most commonly occur in individuals with a history of heavy alcohol use who abruptly stop or significantly reduce their alcohol intake, and it requires urgent medical intervention to prevent complications such as seizures, cardiovascular collapse, and death.

Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment

Alcohol withdrawal treatment aims to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications, and support individuals in safely detoxifying from alcohol dependence. Various interventions are utilized to address both the physical and psychological aspects of withdrawal.

• Medications: Certain medications such as benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, and beta-blockers are commonly prescribed to manage symptoms like anxiety, seizures, and autonomic instability during alcohol withdrawal.
• Fluids and Electrolytes: Intravenous fluids and electrolyte replacement therapy may be administered to address dehydration and electrolyte imbalances often seen in individuals undergoing alcohol withdrawal.
• Nutritional Support: Nutritional supplementation, particularly with B vitamins and thiamine, is crucial to prevent or manage complications like Wernicke’s encephalopathy or Korsakoff’s syndrome, which can arise due to thiamine deficiency in chronic alcoholics.
• Psychosocial Interventions: Counseling, therapy, and support groups play a vital role in addressing the psychological aspects of alcohol dependence and withdrawal, providing individuals with coping strategies, emotional support, and relapse prevention skills.
• Inpatient or Outpatient Rehabilitation Programs: Depending on the severity of withdrawal symptoms and individual needs, inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programs offer structured environments, medical supervision, and comprehensive treatment plans to support individuals in achieving long-term sobriety.

Alcohol Treatment Near Me

Should a friend or family member be grappling with alcohol addiction, it’s vital to seek assistance from addiction specialists for guidance. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, The Hope House is a reliable addiction treatment facility committed to aiding individuals along their journey to recovery.

Employing a personalized approach, we craft tailored treatment strategies, integrating medication-assisted therapy, to aid those endeavoring to overcome alcohol dependence. Contact us today for professional support as you commence your pursuit of a healthier, alcohol-free existence.