Sources: Mayo Clinic – Alcohol Use Disorder Symptoms and Withdrawal | NIAAA – Alcohol Withdrawal Management

More severe symptoms can include:
• Hallucinations
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Delirium tremens (DTs) — severe agitation, confusion, fever, unstable blood pressure, and hallucinations

Sources: MedlinePlus – Delirium Tremens | Cleveland Clinic – Alcohol Withdrawal

How dangerous is it?

Alcohol withdrawal can be very dangerous and sometimes fatal.

Sources: NIAAA – Alcohol Withdrawal Management | Cleveland Clinic – Alcohol Withdrawal

The most dangerous complications are:

• Seizures
• Delirium tremens (DTs)

DTs are considered a medical emergency because they can lead to:

• Heart rhythm problems
• Stroke
• Severe dehydration
• Respiratory problems
• Death if untreated

Sources: MedlinePlus – Delirium Tremens | Verywell Health – Delirium Tremens Overview

Not everyone gets severe withdrawal, but risk is higher if someone:

• Drinks heavily every day
• Has had withdrawal before
• Has had withdrawal seizures or DTs before
• Drinks large amounts for years
• Has liver disease or other medical conditions

Sources: Cleveland Clinic – Alcohol Withdrawal Risk Factors | MedlinePlus – Delirium Tremens

Typical timeline

• 6–24 hours: tremors, anxiety, nausea
• 12–48 hours: hallucinations or seizures may appear
• 48–72 hours: highest risk period for DTs

Sources: Cleveland Clinic – Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline | MedlinePlus – Delirium Tremens Timeline

When to seek emergency help

Get urgent medical care if someone withdrawing from alcohol has:
• Seizures
• Hallucinations
• Severe confusion
• Chest pain
• Trouble breathing
• Fainting
• Extremely high heart rate
• Fever or severe agitation

Sources: MedlinePlus – Delirium Tremens | Verywell Health – Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Important safety point

If someone drinks heavily every day, quitting “cold turkey” without medical supervision can be risky. Doctors often use medications (commonly benzodiazepines), fluids, vitamins like thiamine, and monitoring to make withdrawal safer.

Sources: NIAAA – Alcohol Withdrawal Management | Verywell Health – Delirium Tremens Treatment

If this question is about you or someone close to you, I can also help you figure out:
• whether symptoms sound mild vs emergency-level,
• what the safest next step is,
• or what medically supervised detox usually looks like.