It should come as no surprise that as one’s dependency on alcohol grows, so does the severity of withdrawal symptoms. Of course, as drinking becomes more usual or an everyday occurrence, most people begin to suffer mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms that become more evident. The symptoms are a good indicator that alcoholism is setting in, and the stages only get worse as time goes on and the drinking continues.
Shaking hands, cold sweats, anxiety, and depression are all possible symptoms.
If you’ve reached this point, you should be aware that the chemical and physical withdrawal from alcohol can take anywhere from 10 to 2 weeks. It’s a feeling of unease, moderate anxiety, tension, irritability, and a general unease. After that, it’s largely a psychological issue, as your brain and mind associates alcohol with having a good time after two weeks. Is it possible for you to go 30 days without drinking? If you don’t, there’s a significant possibility you’ll eventually succumb to the next stage of alcohol withdrawal and reliance.
This never-ending cycle of drinking, then withdrawing, then drinking again leads to a higher level of reliance and alcohol withdrawal. This is what we’ll name the following stage of alcohol withdrawal: moderate. In general, it will reach its peak in 48 hours.
Duration and Effects of Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
Most persons who are under a doctor’s care are given a four-day supply of anti-anxiety medicine. 95% of persons experience mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms. 15 to 20% of those with significant withdrawal symptoms may still have hallucinations or short seizures.
More significant symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, such as hallucinations, begin 6 to 48 hours later.
These symptoms appear 3 to 5 days after you’ve stopped drinking. The medical profession has no way of stopping DTs once they start. DTs include significant cardiovascular abnormalities such as changes in respiration, circulation, and body temperature, racing heart, elevated blood pressure, and dehydration, as well as deep confusion, hallucinations, hyperactivity, and disorientation. DTs can cause a Grand Mal seizure, heart attacks, and strokes, all of which can be fatal.
