Alcohol dependency is the most common addiction impacting the US. Nearly 17 million US adults struggle with alcohol addiction. Withdrawal is never fun, but it’s a necessary first step to gaining control over your addiction. Withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to serious. Here’s what to expect during an alcohol detox.
Common Mild Symptoms
Alcohol withdrawal can have mild to serious symptoms. The most common mild ones show up as early as 6 hours after the last drink. They can include:
- Anxiety
- Shaky Hands
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Abdominal pain
Common Severe Symptoms
More severe alcohol detox symptoms begin about 12-24 hours after the last drink. These symptoms include:
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Delirium Tremens (vivid hallucinations and delusions)
- Confusion
- Racing Heart
- High blood pressure
- Fever
- Heavy Sweating
Timeline
On average, it takes about a week to go through alcohol withdrawal although it can take longer without professional help. Mild symptoms appear around 6-8 hours after the last drink. More severe symptoms begin appearing 1-3 days after the last drink.
Final Thoughts
Alcohol withdrawal is one of the toughest on people, both for physical and mental reasons. It can be extremely challenging to detox from alcohol without professional help. Depending on how long an individual has been addicted to alcohol and how much they consume detoxing without help may be unsafe. Contact us with any questions or to begin an alcohol withdrawal.