The effects of alcohol on the body account for the sick, uncomfortable, shaky feelings following a period of drinking. Withdrawal symptoms vary in intensity according to the amount drank and duration of drinking.

Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal include:

• Hangovers -- fairly common result of overindulging-- headache, fatigue, thirst, and nervousness. There may be nausea and abdominal cramping. Diagnosed alcoholics report fewer hangovers than drinkers who are non-alcoholic, this may be because they have learned to ignore the symptoms.
• Sleep disturbance -- waking up earlier than usual after expecting to "sleep it off," being unable to fall asleep, disturbed dreaming.
• Irritability, anxiety, and restlessness -- all caused by the irritant effects of alcohol.
• Tremors("morning shakes")-- Tremors will clear after several days of abstinence, if there is no permanent damage to the nervous system

• Physical weakness, rapid heart rate,
• Mental sluggishness
• Difficulty thinking clearly or flexibly

The above are lingering evidence of alcohol's impact on muscles, heart and brain.

For the drinker with only a mild degree of physical dependence, withdrawal effects may not extend beyond the symptoms listed above. But will continue to second stage if drinking continues.

Second stage:

Some drinkers experience second stage Alcohol Withdrawal symptoms, marked by:

• Convulsions -- seizures usually occur between 12 and 48 hours of the last drink. There may be a loss of consciousness and body control.

Third stage Alcohol Withdrawal symptoms Involve:

    Alcoholic hallucinosis and delirium tremens --  also called the DTs - auditory, visual and tactile hallucinations occur. This period may last for three to four days, during which the de-toxifying person is in a severe state of agitation, is often completely disoriented and sleeps little, if at all. The delusions are almost always terrifying and may produce violent behavior. Without medical supervision there is a 10%-20% mortality rate associated with this stage withdrawal.

With medical supervision Alcohol Withdrawal is safe, though a little uncomfortable for a few days --just remember that we will always be here for you.

Detoxification of the acutely ill alcoholic requires medical supervision when facing Alcohol Withdrawal symptoms.