Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline: Hour by Hour, Day by Day

Published by Joseph, EditorCompiled from cited sources · not yet medically reviewedUpdated Oct 29, 20264 sources

Need help now? SAMHSA’s National Helpline is free, confidential and open 24/7 in English and Spanish: 1-800-662-4357. In a mental health crisis, call or text 988. In an emergency, call 911.

For information only, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before stopping or changing any medication. Medical disclaimer

⚠ Medical warning

Alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening. If you drink heavily every day, don’t stop suddenly on your own. Talk to a doctor or call SAMHSA at 1-800-662-4357 to find medically supervised detox. Call 911 for a seizure, confusion, hallucinations, or a racing heart with fever.

Quick answer

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can start 6 to 12 hours after your last drink and are usually worst at 24 to 72 hours. Seizures can happen at 24 to 48 hours, and a dangerous condition called delirium tremens (DTs) can begin at 48 to 72 hours, peaking around day 5. Sleep problems and mood changes can last weeks to months. Withdrawal can be fatal, so get medical help before stopping heavy drinking.

Alcohol withdrawal timeline at a glance

When did you last use or take it?

⚠ Medical warning (read before using this)

This places the typical ranges from this article's sources on your date. It is not a prediction or a diagnosis, and being past a phase does not mean symptoms or risks are over.

A rough guide from published sources, not medical advice. Everyone is different.

Phase	When	What you may feel	Severity	Red flags
Early withdrawal	6 to 12 hours after the last drink	Shakiness (tremor); Anxiety; Sweating; Upset stomach, loss of appetite; Headache; Trouble sleeping; Pounding heart	Moderate	Symptoms getting worse quickly
Hallucinations possible	12 to 24 hours	Seeing, hearing or feeling things that aren’t there (alcoholic hallucinosis)	Severe	Hallucinations: get medical help now
Seizure risk	24 to 48 hours	Withdrawal seizures can occur; Symptoms are near their peak (24 to 72 hours)	Can be life-threatening	Any seizure: call 911
Delirium tremens risk	48 to 72 hours, peaking around day 5	Delirium tremens (DTs): severe confusion, agitation, fever, racing heart, heavy sweating	Can be life-threatening	Confusion, fever, racing heart or hallucinations: call 911
Lingering	Weeks to months	Trouble sleeping; Mood changes and anxiety	Mild	Thoughts of suicide or self-harm: call or text 988 now

Print a daily symptom log for this timeline · My quit tracker

Symptoms, phase by phase

American Family Physician (2021) describes the typical course: early symptoms 6 to 12 hours after the last drink, hallucinosis at 12 to 24 hours, seizures at 24 to 48 hours, and delirium tremens at 48 to 72 hours. The VA notes that people with delirium tremens can die from heart attack or seizure and need treatment right away. MedlinePlus says symptoms tend to peak by 24 to 72 hours, and that sleep changes, rapid changes in mood and fatigue may last for months.

Early withdrawal: 6 to 12 hours after the last drink

Shakiness (tremor)
Anxiety
Sweating
Upset stomach, loss of appetite
Headache
Trouble sleeping
Pounding heart

Hallucinations possible: 12 to 24 hours

Seeing, hearing or feeling things that aren’t there (alcoholic hallucinosis)

Seizure risk: 24 to 48 hours

Withdrawal seizures can occur
Symptoms are near their peak (24 to 72 hours)

Delirium tremens risk: 48 to 72 hours, peaking around day 5

Delirium tremens (DTs): severe confusion, agitation, fever, racing heart, heavy sweating

Lingering: Weeks to months

Trouble sleeping
Mood changes and anxiety

What makes withdrawal longer or shorter

How much and how long you’ve been drinking.
Past withdrawal. Previous withdrawal seizures or DTs raise the risk of severe withdrawal.
Other health problems and other substances, especially benzodiazepines or other sedatives.

When to see a doctor or get help now

Before you stop, if you drink heavily every day or have had withdrawal before.
Call 911 for a seizure, confusion, hallucinations, high fever or a racing heart.
Thoughts of self-harm: call or text 988.

Not sure where to start? Call SAMHSA’s free, confidential helpline at 1-800-662-4357, 24/7. See Get Help.

Tapering

Don’t try to detox from heavy drinking on your own. Doctors treat alcohol withdrawal with medicines (benzodiazepines are the first-line treatment) and monitoring, either in a hospital or detox unit, or as an outpatient for some people at lower risk. A doctor can tell you which is safe for you.

Tips for getting through it

Get a medical assessment before stopping
Have someone stay with you during withdrawal
Drink non-caffeinated fluids, which American Family Physician lists as part of supportive care during outpatient withdrawal
Plan follow-up support for after detox (counseling, support groups, medicines that help prevent relapse)
Call SAMHSA at 1-800-662-4357 for free referrals

Frequently asked questions

When is alcohol withdrawal most dangerous?

Seizures are most likely at 24 to 48 hours and delirium tremens at 48 to 72 hours, peaking around day 5.

Can I quit drinking cold turkey?

If you drink heavily every day, stopping suddenly can be dangerous. Talk to a doctor first.

Next steps

Talk to others going through it. Share your experience or ask questions on the Alcohol board in our community forum. Planning to stop? See the Tapering & Talking to Your Doctor board, and talk to a doctor before you stop. Forum posts are personal experiences, not medical advice. Please read the community guidelines.

Sources

Last reviewed: October 25, 2026. Researched and written by Withdrawal Timelines from the cited sources. This article has not yet been reviewed by a medical professional. See How We Review and our Medical Disclaimer. This is general information, not medical advice.

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