Are you thinking about quitting alcohol? It is a braver decision than you imagine! But before taking the step, you might wonder: how long will alcohol withdrawal last? You will find the answer here since we cover the common symptoms, causes, risks, duration, and available treatments in this article.
Understanding Alcohol Withdrawal
A person dependent on alcohol may experience physical and psychological symptoms known as Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS) if they abruptly quit drinking or significantly reduce their intake.
When alcohol is regularly consumed , the brain gets accustomed to its presence. When a person stops drinking, their brain’s chemical equilibrium is disrupted, which causes a variety of reactions as their brain tries to adapt to the new condition. Numerous physiological and psychological symptoms, such as anxiety, trembling, sweating, nausea, sleeplessness, high heartbeat rate, seizures, and hallucinations, are typical during alcohol withdrawal.
The length and amount of alcohol use, general health, and biological differences are some of the factors that can impact an individual’s level of alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Risk Factors for Severe Alcohol Withdrawal
As described, not everyone experiences alcohol withdrawal in the same way. Several factors intensify the reactions:
High Daily Intake: The more alcohol a person drinks regularly, the higher the level of physical and psychological dependence there will be. Then, when discontinued, they will suffer harsher symptoms.
Age over 65: Older people usually experience stronger symptoms than the young.
Health Condition: The withdrawal reactions can be much worse if the person is simultaneously suffering from medical problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, liver issues, poor nutritional status, or mental health disorders.
Certain Medications: Some medications interfere with alcohol and aggravate withdrawal effects. You should inform the healthcare staff of all the medicines you take.
If dealing with any of these risk factors, individuals should seek professional help during withdrawal. In the next section, you will see how symptoms usually progress over time.
Alcohol Withdrawal Duration: A Timeline
The course of alcohol withdrawal may vary from one person to another, yet knowing the general timeline prepares us for what to expect along the way. Alcohol withdrawal usually consists of three stages with differing symptoms: it starts with early withdrawal symptoms, intensifies with acute withdrawal symptoms, and begins to subside during post-acute withdrawal.
Early Withdrawal Symptoms
The initial signs of withdrawal appear 6-12 hours after the last drink. The early symptoms are not severe and include:
- Anxiety
- Difficulty sleeping
- Restlessness
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Shakiness
Acute Withdrawal Symptoms
Within 24 to 72 hours after the last drink, you are likely to experience the most intense withdrawal symptoms, known as the acute phase. This is the time with the highest risk of resuming alcohol use. During this period, symptoms get worse, and some people may encounter effects such as:
- Increased anxiety: Anxiety levels increase significantly, making it hard to focus, sleep, or relax by bringing up intense feelings of worry and restlessness.
- Delirium tremens (DTs): DTs, including hallucinations, tremors, fever, and confusion, are more common in people with a heavy drinking history or previous DTs.
- Seizures: People, especially those with a history of seizures or chronic alcohol use, may experience seizures.
Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms
Most people start feeling better after about five days as their bodies readjust to being alcohol-free. The whole process usually takes 3 to 7 days. After the acute phase, most of the challenging symptoms will gradually subside. But, some mild symptoms, like insomnia, anxiety, and fatigue, usually continue for weeks or months. These ongoing issues are called post-acute withdrawal symptoms.
Treatment Options for Alcohol Withdrawal
Quitting alcohol can be tough, both physically and mentally. However, there are effective treatments to help you be more confident and suffer less pain through the process.
The type of treatment you need depends on how serious your withdrawal symptoms are.
For milder withdrawal symptoms:
- Medications: medications like Gabapentin can be used to treat mild anxiety, shaking, and insomnia.
- Hydration and nutrition: Enough fluids and a healthy diet help prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which cause many withdrawal symptoms.
- Therapy: Talking to a therapist can help you stay sober by providing support and equipping you with coping mechanisms.
For severe withdrawal symptoms:
- Medications: medications like benzodiazepines can significantly ease anxiety, shaking, and trouble sleeping. However, they must be diagnosed and prescribed by a doctor.
- Hospitalization: The safest option for people experiencing seizures or (DTs) is staying in a hospital. The healthcare team will continuously check your vital signs and take quick action if they detect concerns.
- Medical detox: It is easier to handle the discomfort if you take all the medications prescribed under medical supervision.
Intravenous (IV) fluids and medications: Taking IV fluids and medication will rehydrate you, help restore electrolyte balance, and keep the symptoms under control.
Dangers of Alcohol Withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal can be risky, particularly if done without medical supervision. Life-threatening conditions that may arise include:
Delirium Tremens (DTs): DTs display severe confusion, agitation, hallucinations, and autonomic instability. This is the most serious form of withdrawal, with a high death rate if it is not treated correctly. However, the mortality rates are much lower with appropriate medical care.
Seizures: Seizures are dangerous and life-threatening, as they are often connected to the risk of DTs.
Heart Disease: Withdrawal can lead to serious heart conditions such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, and arrhythmias, especially if DTs are involved.
If any symptoms of these conditions appear, seek immediate medical attention.
In a nutshell
The symptoms, phases, and available treatments for alcohol withdrawal are all covered in detail on this page. Alcohol addiction recovery is not an immediate process; instead, it is a lifelong process of efforts and utilizing support. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness but rather of power.
Alcohol treatment programs provide help in getting and staying sober for the long term, prevent relapse, and get you back to your regular activities. Support networks of friends, family, therapists, and groups may also boost the chances of a successful detox and sustained recovery.
