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What Is Alcohol Withdrawal?
This article discusses the causes, common symptoms, and different stages of alcohol withdrawal.
Verywell / JR Bee
It also discusses various treatment options for alcohol withdrawal and how you might get help.
There are several mild to moderate psychological and physical symptoms you might experience when you stop drinking.
Overproduction becomes the brain’s new normal.
The brain will readjust, but until it does, a person in withdrawal might feel unwell.
Timeline of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
The severity of alcohol withdrawal is categorized into three stages.
Stage 1: Mild Withdrawal
Stage 1 is considered mild withdrawal.
Mild withdrawal symptoms often begin within 6 to 12 hours after your last drink.
The exact timeline for alcohol withdrawal varies from person to person.
While these symptoms are more severe than Stage 1, they are not life-threatening.
Complicated Withdrawal
If left untreated, withdrawal can progress to complicated alcohol withdrawal.
AWD usually lasts 48 to 72 hours.
The symptoms of delirium tremens include:
The symptoms of DT may get rapidly worse and can be fatal.
A person with delirium tremens needs to be hospitalized until the symptoms can be controlled.
and “How long does it last?”
Symptoms are often at their worst around 24 to 72 hours after you stop drinking.
There arespecific treatments availablefor anyone who wants to stop drinkingeven after long-term, chronic alcohol use.
Outpatient Treatment
Treatment varies depending on the severity of withdrawal symptoms.
A counselor can help someone prepare for life after withdrawal and provide support as they navigate quitting drinking.
Start by talking to a healthcare provider about thetreatment options for alcohol dependence.
Find out which option is the best for you.
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