Individuals experiencing mild symptoms could receive home treatment with the help of close friends and family members. However, if symptoms worsen, it is advisable to seek immediate medical attention so that individuals receive appropriate treatment. For serious alcohol use disorder, you may need a stay at a residential treatment facility. Most residential treatment programs include individual and group therapy, support groups, educational lectures, family involvement, and activity therapy. Delirium tremens is the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal, and its hallmark is that of an altered sensorium with significant autonomic dysfunction and vital sign abnormalities.
If your symptoms are mild (or perhaps even moderate), your doctor may suggest that you reach out to a friend or family member to help you monitor your symptoms at home. Seizures often occur in the early stages of withdrawal, and they may happen in the absence of other AWS. More than 90% of acute seizures occur in the first 48 hours after your last drink. Alcohol withdrawal is a natural physical response your body goes through when trying to break an alcohol dependence. It’s also important to note that delirium tremens can be life-threatening.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
This is where symptoms are usually the most severe, with some individuals displaying delirium tremens — hyperactive autonomic activity that can lead to cardiac collapse. Delirium tremens can last up to 5 days, with a mortality rate of up to 37%. This highlights the severity of the condition and the need for immediate medical attention. The exact timeline for alcohol withdrawal varies from person to person.
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal typically improve within five days, though a small number of patients may have prolonged symptoms, lasting weeks. In delirium tremens, the brain is not able to smoothly readjust its chemistry after alcohol is stopped. This creates a state of temporary confusion and leads to dangerous changes in the way your brain regulates your circulation and breathing. The body’s vital signs such as your heart rate or blood pressure can change dramatically or unpredictably, creating a risk of heart attack, stroke or death.
Support Groups
Minor alcohol withdrawal symptoms typically set in about 6 hours after your last drink and may last 4 to 48 hours. For most people, alcohol withdrawal symptoms will begin sometime in the first eight hours after their final drink. When someone drinks alcohol for a prolonged period of time and then stops, the body reacts to its absence.
