Alcohol withdrawal often develops in alcoholics or alcohol abusers who suddenly stop drinking or significantly cut back their alcohol intake. Withdrawal symptoms develop because the body begins to make excess stress hormones, and the central nervous system is overactive, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Withdrawal symptoms typically develop five to 10 hours after a person stops drinking, but some symptoms may not appear until days later.
Seizures
People experiencing alcohol withdrawal can sometimes suffer from seizures, which typically develop 24 to 48 hours after having a drink, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. A seizure typically consists of a convulsion that involves shaking in the arms and legs. Additional seizures generally occur within six hours of the first. In some cases, a seizure can be the only physical sign of alcohol withdrawal. Seizures are not common, however, occurring in only about 10 percent of people experiencing withdrawal, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Risk factors for seizures during alcohol withdrawal include prior seizures during withdrawal, older age, use of drugs with alcohol, severe withdrawal symptoms, abnormal liver function and intense alcohol cravings.
Delirum Tremens
About 5 percent of people going through alcohol withdrawal will develop delirium tremens, according to the New York University Langone Medical Center. Delirium tremens, or DT, typically develops two to four days after an alcoholic stops drinking or decreases alcohol intake. DT is a serious condition that can be deadly. Common signs and symptoms include: delirium; anxiety; difficulty sleeping; mental confusion; hallucinations; delusions; nightmares; tremors and profuse sweating. Nausea, fever, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing and increased blood pressure can also occur.
About 5 percent of people who develop DT will die from the condition, according to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Risk factors for developing the condition are similar to those for withdrawal-related seizures and include abnormal liver function, severe withdrawal symptoms, intense alcohol cravings, drug use and previous development of DT.
Hallucinosis
A condition called hallucinosis is another delayed sign of alcohol withdrawal that commonly occurs one or two days after a person stops drinking or significantly decreases their alcohol intake. When hallucinosis develops, a person feels, hears and see things that are not there, even though they are aware of their surroundings, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. As with withdrawal-related seizures, hallucinosis can be the only sign of withdrawal.
