In the beginning, their brain does not realize that they have stopped drinking and continue overproducing the stimulating chemicals. However, when alcohol isn't in the mix, these compounds cause many withdrawal symptoms.

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Symptoms usually appear after eight hours of your last drink, although they may not show up for many days afterward. After your previous drink, these symptoms peak within 24 to 72 hours, although milder ones may remain much longer in some individuals.

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Phase One: Mild Symptoms

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Within six hours following your last drink, you may start to feel the effects of alcohol withdrawal. The early symptoms are usually modest, although they may be painful. They may include:

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• Nausea

• Shakes or tremors

• Blood pressure changes

• Anxiety

• Insomnia and other sleep-related issues

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After experiencing these signs of alcohol withdrawal, most individuals will be able to recover.

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Stage Two: Seizures and Other Potentially Life-Threatening Symptoms

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For most individuals, seizures and other life-threatening symptoms usually begin within two days after your last drink. Attacks can occur in up to 5% of people who experience withdrawal. The symptoms typically reach their climax about a day following the previous drink. You will probably recover if you don't have any severe symptoms (for example, seizures) after 48 hours. It is possible, however small, that you may develop them in the future. Thus, you should still consult a doctor.

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Severe withdrawal symptoms that occur during stage two include:

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• Profuse sweating 

• Agitation

• Confusion 

• Hallucinations: These often include tactile, olfactory, or visual distortions

• Seizures

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Stage Three: Delirium Tremens (DTs)

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DTs may occur in as many as half of the people with withdrawal seizures. They begin to manifest themselves between 48 and 72 hours after you stop drinking.

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As a result, the period immediately after your decision to stop drinking is the most crucial and hazardous part of the withdrawal phase. Symptoms of DTs may include:

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• Mood swings happen quickly.

• Fever

• Severe sweat

• Fever or hyperthermia 

• Extreme agitation

• If you have a grand mal seizure, you might have muscle spasms and lose some of your mental abilities for a short time.

• Drowsiness or exhaustion

• Energy bursts 

• Extreme disorientation

• Hallucinations

• High blood pressure

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Seeking medical attention is critical, particularly if you are experiencing signs of severe DTs. It is considered a medical emergency when a patient has DTS. At a medical or rehab facility, trained medical and addiction professionals are acquainted with these issues and are equipped to give proper therapy.

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Not all DTs result in death, although they may. Up to 25% of those are affected by DTs. 

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Stage Four: Post-acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)

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After stopping drinking, some individuals may continue to suffer PAWS symptoms for a prolonged period (weeks to months). The following symptoms characterize PAWS:

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• Low energy 

• Anxiety

• Dizziness 

• Excessive irritability and emotional turbulence

• Sleeping problems

• Memory problems 

• Intense cravings 

• Delayed reflexes 

• Chronic nauseous

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A Heart Attack and Alcoholism

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You may develop cardiac difficulties during alcohol withdrawal (particularly if you suffer from DTs). This is due to the way alcohol impairs your organs.