Alcohol withdrawal symptoms begin 6–12 hours after the last drink and include anxiety, tremors (shakes), sweating, nausea, and elevated heart rate. Seizures can occur at 24–48 hours. In severe cases, delirium tremens (DTs) develops at 48–72 hours and is potentially fatal — requiring emergency medical treatment. Do not stop drinking heavily without medical supervision.
NHS outpatient alcohol detox (community detox) is the most common form of treatment — you stay at home but receive daily clinical supervision and medication. The standard medication is chlordiazepoxide (Librium), a benzodiazepine that prevents withdrawal seizures and makes the process much more manageable. This is free on the NHS.
Residential detox is available for those with severe dependency, previous seizures or DTs, or unsafe home situations. Call Frank on 0300 123 6600 (free, 24/7) to access the right level of support for your situation.
The first signs of alcohol withdrawal typically appear 6–12 hours after the last drink and include: anxiety, restlessness, tremors (shaking hands), sweating, nausea, vomiting, headache, and elevated heart rate. Many heavy drinkers experience these symptoms every morning before their first drink without realising they are symptoms of physical alcohol dependency.
Mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms typically peak at 24–48 hours and begin to resolve after 5–7 days. However, some symptoms — particularly anxiety, insomnia, and mood disruption — can persist for weeks or months as part of Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS). Seizures typically occur 24–48 hours after the last drink. Delirium tremens (DTs) typically peaks at 48–72 hours.
Delirium tremens (DTs) is a severe, potentially fatal form of alcohol withdrawal that occurs in approximately 5% of people going through alcohol withdrawal. It is characterised by profound confusion, agitation, fever, and hallucinations, and requires emergency medical treatment. Without treatment, DTs has a mortality rate of up to 37%. Risk factors include long duration of heavy drinking, previous DTs, older age, and malnutrition.
Yes. Severe alcohol withdrawal — particularly delirium tremens (DTs) and withdrawal seizures — can be fatal without medical treatment. This is one of very few withdrawal syndromes that can directly kill you (opioid withdrawal, by contrast, is extremely unpleasant but rarely directly fatal). Anyone with a significant alcohol dependency should seek medical supervision before stopping drinking.
For people with mild alcohol use who are not physically dependent, stopping at home is generally safe. For people who drink heavily every day, experience morning shakes or sweats, or have previously experienced withdrawal seizures or DTs, stopping at home without medical support is dangerous. NHS community alcohol detox — at home but with daily clinical supervision and detox medication — is available free across the UK.