Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome - how long do alcohol withdrawal symptoms last

Dr Barbara Nawrot Update: November 20, 2025, 12:39 Table of contents

• What is alcohol withdrawal syndrome?

• Withdrawal symptoms – what happens when we stop drinking alcohol?

• Withdrawal syndrome – symptoms and complications

• How long does withdrawal syndrome last?

• Chronic withdrawal syndrome – persistent problem

• What to do when alcohol withdrawal syndrome appears?

• Alcohol withdrawal – how to cope?

The body accustomed to the constant presence of ethanol begins to react with strong physical and mental stress, which is called alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Symptoms can be very diverse, from hand tremors, insomnia and anxiety, to life-threatening alcohol delirium or seizures. This is a condition requiring vigilance, and in many cases also specialized medical help. Treatment consists not only of alleviating symptoms, but also protecting the patient from complications and preparing them for further addiction therapy.

What is alcohol withdrawal syndrome?

Withdrawal syndrome is a set of physical and mental symptoms that appear after sudden cessation or significant reduction of drinking in an addicted person. The organism accustomed to the constant presence of alcohol in the nervous system suddenly loses the substance on which it has become dependent. A violent disturbance of neurochemical balance then occurs, especially in the area of neurotransmitters. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is not just more severe hangover symptoms. It is a serious medical condition that requires medical supervision and sometimes even hospitalization. Its occurrence indicates advanced alcohol dependence and is a signal that professional therapy is necessary.

Withdrawal symptoms – what happens when we stop drinking alcohol?

Withdrawal symptoms appear when the organism of an addicted person is suddenly deprived of alcohol. In medicine, an uncomplicated and complicated form of withdrawal syndrome is distinguished, which means it can have a mild or more severe course. In most people (about 90%), an uncomplicated form occurs, which in many cases subsides spontaneously if the patient completely stops drinking and does not downplay the symptoms. Typical ailments include:

• hand tremors, sometimes seizures

• nausea and vomiting

• heart rhythm disturbances

• excessive agitation and anxiety

• headaches and dizziness

• insomnia and difficulty falling asleep

• feeling of general physical and mental weakness

• mood decline

• increased sweating

• hallucinations (visual, auditory or tactile).

Although these symptoms in most cases do not require hospitalization or pharmacological treatment, they are a clear signal of organism overload and developed alcohol dependence. For this reason, even if the symptoms are among the milder ones, it is worth consulting a doctor who will help safely go through the withdrawal syndrome and direct to further alcoholism therapy. Learn more: Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy In early stages, symptoms usually appear independently.

Withdrawal syndrome – symptoms and complications

Withdrawal syndrome in complicated form poses a serious threat to health and life. It is estimated that untreated, in about 20% of cases it ends in patient death. Symptoms of alcohol delirium (delirium tremens), consciousness disturbances or intensified hallucinations are dangerous not only for the addicted person, but also for their surroundings due to unpredictable and often aggressive behavior. Particularly dangerous are also epileptic seizures, which can lead to serious injuries and neurological complications. The complicated form of withdrawal syndrome concerns about 5–15% of addicted people.

Mental complications of withdrawal symptoms

• Alcohol delirium (delirium tremens) – violent consciousness disturbances, disorientation, anxiety.

• Delusions and hallucinations visual, auditory, tactile, including Othello syndrome (jealousy delusions).

• Psychotic symptoms sometimes resembling schizophrenia or other psychoses.

• Strong anxiety and feeling of threat often leading to unpredictable and aggressive behavior.

• Disturbances of orientation in time and place – the patient does not know where they are or what day it is.

• Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome – severe memory and cognitive function disorders resulting from vitamin B1 deficiency.

Physical complications of withdrawal syndrome

• Trembling of the whole body and seizures (alcohol epilepsy).

• Nervous system hyperactivity – tachycardia, arterial hypertension, dilated pupils.

• Sleep disturbances – complete insomnia, reversal of circadian rhythm.

• Uncontrolled urination and other symptoms from the autonomic system.

• General physical exhaustion – organism in a state of critical metabolic stress.

The complicated course of withdrawal syndrome requires immediate medical help and often hospitalization, as it poses a real threat to life.

How long does withdrawal syndrome last?

The intensity and course of symptoms are directly related to the phase of alcohol disease and the degree of alcohol abuse. The duration of alcohol withdrawal syndrome depends on many factors, primarily on:

• duration and intensity of addiction

• amount of consumed alcohol

• duration of the last alcohol binge,

• individual organism condition.

In the case of uncomplicated form of withdrawal syndrome, ailments usually subside within several dozen hours to a few days, provided that drinking is completely stopped and care is taken for organism regeneration. The complicated form has a significantly more dangerous course, in which symptoms usually persist from 7 to even 10 days. In such a situation, medical help is necessary and often detoxification in hospital conditions, because attempts to independently survive withdrawal syndrome can lead to severe health complications and even death. In many cases, treatment in a psychiatric ward proves necessary, where the patient has around-the-clock care and access to appropriate pharmacotherapy.

Chronic withdrawal syndrome – persistent problem

Chronic withdrawal syndrome is a condition in which alcohol withdrawal symptoms do not subside after the typical few days, but persist for weeks and even months. It occurs in people with long-term addiction, in whom the nervous system and neurotransmitter metabolism have been seriously dysregulated. The most common symptoms of chronic withdrawal syndrome include:

• chronic anxiety and tension

• sleep disturbances (insomnia, nightmares, waking up at night)

• lowered mood and depressive states

• irritability, anger outbursts, emotional fluctuations

• concentration and memory problems

• hypersensitivity to stress and stimuli

• persistent feeling of fatigue and weakness

• relapses of alcohol craving.

Such ailments not only make daily functioning difficult, but also significantly increase the risk of relapse. Therefore, chronic withdrawal syndrome requires long-term therapeutic support, and often also pharmacological treatment. For effective treatment, psychotherapy is important, participation in support groups, as well as taking care of sleep hygiene and a healthy lifestyle.

What to do when alcohol withdrawal syndrome appears?

First of all, drinking must be completely stopped, because further alcohol consumption only deepens the problem and prolongs symptoms. In the case of mild ailments, such as hand tremors, excessive sweating, nausea or sleep problems, it is possible to cope at home, but great vigilance must be maintained. Very important is organism hydration, electrolyte supplementation, as well as an easily digestible diet that supports the regeneration process. It is also helpful to ensure a calm environment, rest and stress reduction. One should not independently reach for sedatives or sleeping pills, because without medical control they can cause dangerous interactions or lead to another addiction. When symptoms become intense, that is, when hallucinations, seizures, delirium, very high blood pressure or accelerated heart rate appear, immediate medical help and often hospitalization is necessary. The most dangerous complications, such as delirium tremens or alcohol epilepsy, pose a direct threat to life.

Alcohol withdrawal – how to cope?

Alcohol withdrawal is a difficult moment, but at the same time the first step to regaining health. Positive effects are visible already in the first days – sleep quality improves, the feeling of fatigue decreases, and the organism begins to regenerate. The method of treating withdrawal syndrome depends on the intensity of symptoms and the overall condition of the addicted person. In the case of mild, uncomplicated form, vitamin B1 supplementation, adequate hydration and rest, as well as complete cessation of drinking are usually sufficient. If, however, hallucinations, seizures or delirium appear, immediate medical help is necessary. The specialist then decides on appropriate treatment – most often benzodiazepines, antipsychotic drugs and professional alcohol detoxification are used. Therapy is always selected individually, depending on the patient's condition and possible complications. In the case of addicted people, it is necessary to undertake alcohol therapy, which allows effective fighting against the disease and its consequences.

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