Alcohol

One of the oldest drugs used by humans, alcohol is very dangerous; both through use and from withdrawal. It acts primarily on both GABA and glutamate systems and produces a profound depression of neurological functions. The most immediate effects of alcohol include anxiety reduction, loss of inhibitions, relaxation, euphoria, drowsiness, and loss of coordination. Alcohol use can produce dependence and withdrawal symptoms in a fairly short time as well; usually after just a month of daily use.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Some of the most common symptoms are increased anxiety, tremor, insomnia, depression, confusion, and cardiovascular disruptions. The more severe symptoms include seizures, hallucinations, and delirium which may progress to a condition unique to alcohol withdrawal known as delirium tremens.

The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are some of the most dangerous out of any withdrawal syndrome. Unmonitored alcohol withdrawal can easily be fatal due to the severity of the neurological disruptions it produces. If someone is expecting to go through alcohol withdrawal, they often need medical supervision as this is an extremely dangerous withdrawal syndrome.

Withdrawal Timeline: 3 to 7 Days

The timeline for alcohol withdrawal can vary greatly between individuals, largely dependant upon use history and liver health. In general, the withdrawal symptoms from alcohol can begin between 6 to 12 hours after the last time someone had a drink. These symptoms will worsen over the first few days with the greatest risk of dangerous complications being from 36 to 72 hours after withdrawal began. From there, symptoms will fade and are typically resolved by a week after the last drink. Post-acute symptoms may persist for several more weeks or months, although these will dissipate with time.