Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline Symptoms: What to Expect

Alcohol is a commonly consumed substance

Alcohol is a commonly consumed substance, and it is well known to cause addiction issues if not consumed in moderation. Long-term excessive use of alcohol can cause both physical and emotional reliance. Although it might have initially started as a social event or simply a way to relax, alcohol holds the risky potential to develop into a serious addiction.

When someone gets addicted to drinking alcohol, their body goes through severe withdrawal symptoms whenever they stop drinking for some time. Unlike various other addictive substances, alcohol withdrawal can lead to major health concerns. Medical detoxification programs provide a safe and reliable method to detox from alcohol while helping to reduce potential health risks. Discover additional details about the alcohol withdrawal timeline.

What Is Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome?

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) happens when you cut down or stop drinking suddenly after a long time of regular use. Since alcohol serves as a central nervous system depressant by enhancing the effects of GABA and lowering glutamate levels, drinking too much of it can cause the body to adjust its natural production of these chemicals gradually.

Subsequently, it causes the body to rely upon the chemical effects of alcohol instead. When your body develops an alcohol dependence, stopping or cutting back its intake abruptly can rob the body of the effects essential for normal functioning and may push it into a state of shock. This will then cause withdrawal symptoms that may vary from mild to intense.

Withdrawal symptoms may happen to anyone who has been drinking large quantities of alcohol, whether it’s been for a few weeks, several months, or many years. While it is more typical in adults, even children and teens who engage in binge drinking can experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms. AWS is usually the first indicator of an alcohol use disorder.

What Causes Alcohol Withdrawal?

Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol dependence and withdrawal are the direct effects of overdrinking. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, shared that 69.5% of individuals consumed alcohol in the past year, and 25.8% participated in binge drinking within the last month. Binge drinking has been linked to the development of alcoholism. No matter how someone becomes addicted to alcohol, the only way to begin the recovery process is by going through detoxification.

Detoxification begins with the phase where the body starts to filter out alcohol and toxins. During this period, you’ll experience the typical symptoms related to withdrawal. Acute withdrawal symptoms are believed to arise from the various changes happening in brain chemistry. These symptoms are commonly recognized as strong cravings. A successful detox is essential for helping the body to reset its capacity to function without alcohol.

Because alcohol acts as a depressant and relaxes the body, people who have participated in excessive drinking are likely to encounter a decrease in neurotransmitters and normal organ function. The creation of “feel good” hormones and chemicals does not happen naturally anymore but only occurs when consuming alcohol. This leads to a challenging time when regulating body functions becomes hard. The production of feel-good hormones drops while pain and depression might become stronger.

The human brain is smart and always attempts to re-balance itself. When you ingest substances that fire positive signals, your body will stop firing them. In reaction, the body signals that you need to have more of that substance. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are a mix of inner cravings to consume and the body’s effort to continue functioning without drinking.

How Long Do Alcohol Withdrawals Last

The duration, intensity, and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can differ

The duration, intensity, and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can differ based on how much and how often alcohol is consumed. Additionally, health conditions and medical issues can affect the severity of withdrawal and how fast it progresses.

The specific timeline for alcohol withdrawal can differ from person to person, but typically, symptoms start within just a few hours after a person’s last alcoholic drink. Generally, acute withdrawal symptoms are at their highest intensity one to three days after they first begin, with symptoms gradually decreasing from that time. Nonetheless, some individuals might experience symptoms lasting for several weeks.

Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline Symptoms, What to Expect

Typically, withdrawal symptoms last for around a week, although this can vary depending on the person.

Milder cases of alcohol dependency may sometimes be able to detox themselves within 2-3 days, and more serious cases of long-term dependency may sometimes result in withdrawal that lasts for months. Still, seven days is an accurate average and the most common timeline to expect.

The withdrawal symptoms experienced can change gradually over the week, and the different stages of the alcohol withdrawal timeline typically look like this:

Stages of Alcohol Withdrawal

The different Stages of Alcohol Withdrawal

Stage 1 (6-12 Hours After Last Drink)

The first stage of withdrawal begins fairly soon after the last drink. It begins with a general feeling of being “rough” or hungover. This most often develops quickly into trembling hands, unusual sweating, and, most of all, an intense desire to drink.

These are the less serious symptoms of withdrawal and are easy for our family and friends to miss as they can appear similar to a hangover or just being in a slightly off mood.

Many alcoholics will go through this stage regularly but treat it as just how they feel when they haven’t had a drink. As a result, they will often rush to have a drink at the first onset of these symptoms and may have never experienced Stage 2.

The symptoms you may experience at this stage include:

  • The shakes
  • Insomnia
  • Lethargy or loss of energy
  • Mood swings
  • Restlessness
  • Trouble concentrating or lack of focus
  • Headaches
  • Nausea and loss of appetite

Stage 2 (12 to 48 Hours After Last Drink)

Stage 2 begins when somebody has been in Stage 1 without drinking for a day or two. This stage is more serious as symptoms affect our breathing and heartbeat.

These symptoms are a lot more difficult to hide from a family and loved ones and are usually only experienced by an alcoholic who is trying hard to quit, as one who wasn’t would usually have given up and had a drink after feeling the symptoms of Stage 1.

Unfortunately, Stage 2 is a lot more uncomfortable and can cause relapses even amongst these more dedicated people.

Generally, anybody going through Stage 2 withdrawal should have medical supervision or at least regular phone contact with an experienced specialist.

All of the Stage 1 symptoms can still be around at this stage, but new symptoms can include:

  • High blood pressure
  • Difficulty breathing
  • High temperature
  • Extreme sweating and dehydration
  • Confusion and trouble concentrating
  • Hallucinations
  • Aggression or irritability

Stage 3 (48-72 Hours After Last Drink)

Stage 3 occurs when an alcoholic hasn’t consumed any alcohol for 2-3 days.

Symptoms at this stage include more serious and intense versions of all of the symptoms listed previously but can also include seizures and worse. For most people who are attempting to quit drinking, this is the most difficult stage by far and a common point of relapse, simply due to the extreme discomfort caused by these symptoms and the constant awareness that a drink can relieve them.

However, you are almost through the toughest part and only need to hold on longer!

To ensure the highest likelihood of recovery success and to achieve the greatest level of safety, anyone looking to stop drinking alcohol should think about opting for a medically supervised detox program instead of detoxing alone at home, without any oversight.

The duration of a detox program can differ depending on how severe a person’s addiction is and any related health issues. For some individuals, it might only take a few days before their body starts to stabilize; for others, this adjustment could take as long as two weeks.

How to Overcome Alcohol Withdrawals

How to Overcome Alcohol Withdrawals

AWS is a serious health condition that can quickly become a life-threatening emergency. Therefore, you should detox from alcohol at a medical facility to prevent potentially fatal complications. Many rehabilitation centers offer medically supervised detox programs to help individuals safely manage alcohol withdrawal. These programs offer continuous medical oversight and medications to lessen the intensity of certain withdrawal symptoms. Medications used for treating withdrawals include benzodiazepines (like Librium, Valium, and Tranxene), anticonvulsants, and barbiturates.

Nevertheless, detoxification is just the initial phase in the process of addiction treatment, which aids in tackling and overcoming the physical component of alcohol dependence. For achieving lasting sobriety, it is crucial to recognize and manage the psychological facets of addiction as well. This is accomplished through counseling and therapy sessions provided by a rehabilitation facility.

Beating AUD is a challenging journey. Your path to getting better might include numerous difficulties, such as withdrawals. Yet, the benefits that lie ahead far surpass the hardships you’ll encounter on your recovery journey. It’s crucial to remember that you are not alone. Many facilities across the U.S. are dedicated to helping you achieve a prolonged recovery.

Getting Treatment for Alcohol Withdrawal

If you struggle with alcohol dependence, it’s important to seek medical guidance to ensure that your withdrawal symptoms are appropriately overseen and addressed. This is especially true if you have a co-occurring disorder, struggle with anxiety or depression, or may become suicidal.

An inpatient treatment center is typically the best option to treat alcohol withdrawal. You’ll receive 24/7 care and support from medical professionals who can carefully monitor your condition. These programs also include addiction education, counseling resources, group therapy, and referrals to local programs offering ongoing support once you leave treatment. At a treatment center, you may also have access to medications that can lessen cravings and make your symptoms more manageable.

Once you complete treatment, it’s important to continue your recovery. This can include participating in 12-step programs, attending cognitive behavioral therapy sessions, and seeing a medical doctor who can manage any existing or resulting health conditions.

To evaluate a person’s withdrawal symptoms and suggest appropriate treatments, doctors frequently use a tool known as the Clinical Institute for Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol. The greater the number, the more severe a person’s symptoms are and the more treatments they probably need.

You might not require any medications to manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms. You can continue seeking therapy and support groups during this process.

Freedom from alcohol dependence — and accompanying withdrawal symptoms — requires a long-term commitment to your self-care and well-being. In that sense, even though the alcohol withdrawal timeline might be days or weeks, your recovery will be an ongoing process.

If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol dependence, help is just a call away.

Please reach out to us today if you want to learn more about alcohol withdrawal symptoms or if you need help to win the battle against alcohol dependence and regain your life back.

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