Alcohol Withdrawal
Alternate Names : DTs, Delirium Tremens
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal usually occur within 12 to 72 hours after the
last drink of
alcohol. Major withdrawal symptoms may occur for up to 7 days,
with recurring symptoms lasting for several months. A person going through
withdrawal may have a wide variety of symptoms, including:
anxiety
depression
excessive sweating, especially on the hands and face
fatigue
hallucinations
headache
insomnia
irritability
nausea and/or vomiting
nervousness
palpitations, or an abnormal
awareness of the heart beating in the chest
rapid heartbeat
seizures
shaking and tremors
trouble concentrating
If left untreated, alcohol withdrawal can lead to a more serious set of
symptoms called delirium tremens or DTs. These symptoms usually appear about
2 to 10 days after the drinking stops. A person with DTs is anxious at first.
Later, other symptoms occur that can include:
confusion
difficulty sleeping, including nightmares
disorientation with visual hallucinations
excessive sweating
fever
hallucinations and illusions that arouse fears and restlessness
severe depression
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