| Early symptoms of alcohol withdrawal generally appear 6 to 48
hours after drinking has stopped but can occur up to 10 days after the last drink.
Withdrawal symptoms may include: |
- • Restlessness
- • Tachycardia
- • Irritability
- • Hypertension
- • Anorexia
|
- • Insomnia
- • Nausea
- • Nightmares
- • Vomiting
- • Impaired concentration
|
- • Sweating
- • Impaired memory
- • Tremors
- • Elevated vital signs
|
|
| More severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal may include |
- • Increased tremulousness
- • Increased agitation
- • Increased sweating
- • Delirium (with confusion, disorientation,
impaired memory and judgment)
|
- • Hallucinations (auditory, visual, or tactile)
- • Delusions (usually paranoid)
- • Grand mal seizures
|
|
| Note: Withdrawal symptoms do not necessarily progress from mild to
severe. In some individuals, a grand mal seizure may be the first sign of withdrawal.
Seizures usually occur 12 to 24 hours after cessation or reduction of drinking. One-third
of all patients who have seizures develop delirium tremens. |
University of Nevada, Reno
