Alcohol
How long does alcohol withdrawal last?
Short answer
Alcohol withdrawal usually lasts 3 to 7 days, according to the NHS. Symptoms typically start within 6 to 12 hours of the last drink and tend to peak by 24 to 72 hours, but sleep changes, rapid mood changes and fatigue can last for months. Seizures typically occur 8 to 48 hours after stopping and delirium tremens can develop 3 to 8 days after, so heavy drinkers should get medical help before quitting.
Key takeaways
- Withdrawal symptoms usually begin within 6 to 12 hours of the last drink and last 3 to 7 days (NHS).
- Symptoms tend to peak by 24 to 72 hours (MedlinePlus).
- Withdrawal seizures typically occur 8 to 48 hours after stopping; delirium tremens can develop 3 to 8 days after.
- Sleep changes, rapid mood changes and fatigue may last for months.
- If you've been drinking heavily for a long time, get medical help to plan a safe stop.
When do alcohol withdrawal symptoms start?
Usually within hours. The NHS says symptoms begin within 6 to 12 hours of your last drink; MedlinePlus says they tend to occur within 8 hours but can occur days later. Early symptoms can include trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating and a racing heart.
Not everyone who stops drinking goes through withdrawal. The more often you drink, the more likely you are to have symptoms when you stop.
When is alcohol withdrawal at its worst?
Symptoms tend to peak by 24 to 72 hours, according to MedlinePlus, and a clinical review on the NIH's NCBI Bookshelf (StatPearls) places the peak around 72 hours. Serious complications follow their own timeline:
- Withdrawal seizures: typically 8 to 48 hours after the last drink.
- Alcohol hallucinosis, mainly hearing things that aren't there and paranoia: resolves within 72 hours.
- Delirium tremens (DTs): can develop anywhere from 3 to 8 days after stopping. About 3% to 5% of people with alcohol withdrawal syndrome progress to it, and it can be fatal.
How long does it take to feel normal again?
The most intense part is usually short: the NHS says withdrawal symptoms usually last from 3 to 7 days, and MedlinePlus says most people who go through alcohol withdrawal make a full recovery. The tail can be longer, though. MedlinePlus says symptoms may go on for weeks, and that sleep changes, rapid changes in mood and fatigue may last for months. The NHS likewise says some symptoms may last for a few months, especially if you drank heavily.
If low mood or anxiety persists or gets worse, NIAAA advises seeing a doctor or mental health professional.
What makes alcohol withdrawal more severe?
How often you drink matters, and MedlinePlus notes that withdrawal may be more severe if you have certain other medical problems. StatPearls lists risk factors for progressing to severe withdrawal, including past withdrawal seizures or delirium tremens, other medical conditions, being over 65, and physical dependence on benzodiazepines. Withdrawal also tends to get more severe with each repeated episode, especially in seizure risk.
Can you go through alcohol withdrawal at home?
Sometimes, but that decision belongs with a clinician. People with mild-to-moderate symptoms can often be treated as outpatients, but MedlinePlus says someone needs to stay with you and you will likely need daily visits to your provider until you are stable. People with moderate-to-severe symptoms may need treatment in a hospital or other facility. NIAAA notes that doctors can prescribe medications that make withdrawal safer and less distressing.
How Vow can help
Vow doesn't treat withdrawal, so any plan to stop heavy drinking should start with a doctor. Alongside medical care, Vow's Craving Shield (Premium) guides you through a roughly 3-minute urge-surfing timer with breathing modes, and the free daily check-in and streak counter help you keep track of the days after you stop.
Sources
Each source below was read when this answer was reviewed. Open a source to see the passages the answer relies on.
NHS — Alcohol-use disordernhs.uk
Withdrawal symptoms begin within 6 to 12 hours of your last drink, and usually last from 3 to 7 days.
But some symptoms may last for a few months, especially if you drink heavily.
It can be very dangerous to stop drinking suddenly if you're dependent on alcohol. If you get withdrawal symptoms, get medical help before you try to stop drinking.
Open the sourceMedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia — Alcohol withdrawalmedlineplus.gov
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms tend to occur within 8 hours after the last drink, but can occur days later.
Symptoms tend to peak by 24 to 72 hours, but may go on for weeks.
The more often you drink, the more likely you are to have alcohol withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking.
Most people who go through alcohol withdrawal make a full recovery. But, death is possible, especially if delirium tremens occurs.
Symptoms such as sleep changes, rapid changes in mood, and fatigue may last for months.
You may have more severe withdrawal symptoms if you have certain other medical problems.
If you have mild-to-moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms, you can often be treated in an outpatient setting. During this process, you will need someone to stay with you and keep an eye on you.
You will likely need to make daily visits to your provider until you are stable.
People with moderate-to-severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms may need to be treated at a hospital or other facility that treats alcohol withdrawal.
Alcohol withdrawal is a serious condition that may quickly become life-threatening.
Contact your provider right away or go the emergency room if you think you might be in alcohol withdrawal, especially if you were using alcohol often and recently stopped.
Open the sourceStatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf) — Alcohol Withdrawal Syndromencbi.nlm.nih.gov
The signs and symptoms may present within hours of alcohol cessation and peak around 72 hours.
Alcohol-related seizures typically occur between 8 and 48 hours after alcohol cessation.
alcohol hallucinosis consists primarily of auditory hallucinations and paranoia that resolve within 72 hours.
Patients are at risk of experiencing alcohol withdrawal delirium anywhere from 3 to 8 days following alcohol cessation.
While only approximately 3% to 5% of patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome will progress to alcohol withdrawal delirium, this condition may prove fatal.
risk factors for progression to severe withdrawal, such as a history of prior withdrawal seizures or alcohol withdrawal delirium, medical comorbidities, age over 65, or physiologic dependence on benzodiazepines
successive withdrawal episodes tend to increase in severity, specifically concerning epileptic potential
Open the sourceNIAAA — Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting Helpniaaa.nih.gov
withdrawal symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, a racing heart, dysphoria (feeling uneasy or unhappy), malaise (general sense of being unwell), feeling low, or a seizure
Open the sourceNIAAA Rethinking Drinking — Professional supportrethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov
Mild symptoms may go away if you cut down or stop drinking. See a doctor or mental health professional if symptoms persist or get worse.
Open the sourceNIAAA Rethinking Drinking — Should You Cut Down or Quit?rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov
Seek medical help to plan a safe recovery. Doctors can prescribe medications to address these symptoms and make the process safer and less distressing.
Open the source
This page is general information, not medical advice, and it does not replace care from a qualified professional. If you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number. Vow is not a medical service.