Alcohol withdrawal refers to the set of symptoms that occur as a result of ceasing alcohol consumption when the body has an alcohol dependency, according to Drugs.com. The dependency on alcohol develops because of the physiological and psychological effects of alcohol abuse, explain MayoClinic.com and Drugs.com. The effects of alcohol withdrawal may vary in severity depending on the degree of alcohol dependency.
Appetite Loss
Appetite loss is usually experienced about five to eight hours after ceasing alcohol consumption, notes Drugs.com. The exact severity of appetite loss can range from mild to fairly moderate, notes MedlinePlus.com, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health.
Delirium Tremens and Erratic Thought Patterns
Some of the more serious symptoms and conditions caused by alcohol withdrawal are delirium tremens, and erratic thought patterns, notes MedlinePlus.com. Delirium tremens is essentially severe confusion that may also be accompanied by visual hallucinations. Delirium tremens may be experienced between one to three days after the cessation of alcohol consumption, explains Drugs.com.
Dilated Pupils
Alcohol withdrawal may also cause the pupils to become dilated, notes MedlinePlus.com.
Elevated Heart Rate and Blood Pressure
Alcohol withdrawal can elevate heart rate and blood pressure, note MedlinePlus.com and Drugs.com. Heart rate may start increasing as early as five hours after ending alcohol consumption. Blood pressure becomes elevated within one to three days of stopping alcohol consumption, notes Drugs.com.
Exhaustion
Withdrawal from alcohol may cause a general feeling of exhaustion, explains MedlinePlus.com.
Fever and Seizures
Among the more severe conditions caused by alcohol withdrawal are fever and seizures, explains MedlinePlus.com. Fever may be accompanied by sleeplessness and excessively sweating. The sleeplessness may begin as early as five hours after stopping alcohol consumption. The seizures can occur as much as three or four days after, notes Drugs.com.
General Anxious Feeling
General anxiety and being on edge is a symptom of alcohol withdrawal. This anxious state of restless agitation usually occurs as much as eight hours after ceasing alcohol consumption, notes Drugs.com.
Impaired Hand Movement and Overall Coordination
Alcohol withdrawal can impair the use of the hands and general coordination, note MedlinePlus.com and Drugs.com. Five hours after ceasing alcohol consumption the hands can grow shaky and body movement may be impaired.
Mood Swings
Alcohol withdrawal may cause emotional instability and mood swings, explains MedlinePlus.com. Mood typically swings between grumpiness and manic excitability. This state of emotional agitation and instability may occur as much as three days after alcohol consumption, notes Drugs.com.
Nauseous Feeling
About a day to three days after stopping alcohol consumption, a general feeling of nausea may be experienced, according to MedlinePlus.com and Drugs.com.
