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Which symptoms can occur during severe alcohol withdrawal?

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The science behind alcohol's effects on the body — alcoholism Examining the effects of alcohol consumption.

Severe alcohol withdrawal is a serious medical condition that requires professional detoxification to manage potentially life-threatening symptoms.1

Common symptoms of severe withdrawal include:
* Tremulousness and gross trembling of the whole body23
* Sweating and restlessness3
* Loss of appetite and inability to retain food3
* Sleep disturbances3
* Seizures23
* Mental clouding and disorientation3
* Hallucinations (visual and auditory)3
* Abnormal changes in body chemistry, particularly electrolyte imbalances3

In severe cases, patients may develop delirium tremens, which typically occurs after 36 hours and is characterized by fever, frank delirium, and intense physical deterioration. This condition is a medical emergency; if left untreated, it carries a fatality rate of up to 20 percent. Because of these risks, safe withdrawal should always be conducted under medical supervision in a hospital setting.231