Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

According to experts from the Department of Internal Medicine within the Catholic University of Rome, alcohol withdrawal can begin as soon as 6 hours after a person stops drinking. For withdrawal to occur, a person must have first experienced chronic alcohol exposure, meaning the nervous system has adapted to its presence.

After ongoing alcohol abuse, a person who suddenly reduces or stops drinking will undergo withdrawal due to an imbalance in the nervous system. This results in a variety of unpleasant symptoms.

Common Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

While drinking in moderation can be safe and even have some health benefits, heavy alcohol use can increase the risk of an alcohol use disorder, which is the clinical term for an alcohol addiction. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism describes heavy alcohol use as over four drinks in a given day for men and over three drinks in a day for women.

Those who have been heavily abusing alcohol may develop an addiction and experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop drinking. Withdrawal occurs because over time, the body adapts to the presence of alcohol and does not function the same without it. When a person is unable to function normally in the absence of alcohol, this is called alcohol dependence.