Alcohol withdrawal can have a serious impact on your overall health. Those who have become dependent on alcohol or suffer from Alcohol Use Disorder may experience a number of adverse health conditions as a result of suddenly stopping drinking. Alcohol withdrawal can affect your mental and physical health. If you believe that you are addicted to alcohol or have become dependent on drinking, you should always seek medical treatment.
Mild Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on the person and the amount that they drink. Within 6 hours of quitting drinking people may experience nausea and vomiting, headaches, and insomnia. Others who have quit drinking may find that they feel irritable or have shaky hands in the immediate hours after they stop. While these symptoms may not feel severe, they can lead to more serious, long-term complications.
Moderate to Severe Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
In some cases, people may experience more severe symptoms including seizures in the days after they stop drinking. They may have hallucinations, feel depressed or confused. In rare circumstances, people may experience delirium tremens (DTs). DTs are extremely dangerous and can result in death if untreated. Complications from delirium tremens include fever, high blood pressure, fast heartbeat and extreme hallucinations.
It is imperative that you always seek medical treatment if you experience any symptoms as a result of quitting alcohol. While most people have mild complications, they can be severe or even fatal. Most alcohol withdrawal symptoms show up within 12 to 72 hours and should be dealt with immediately.