Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline: What to Expect from Hours 6 to Week 2
If you’re thinking about quitting alcohol, you’re probably wondering: how long will this feel like hell?
The truth? Alcohol withdrawal doesn’t last forever — but it comes in waves. And if you know the timeline, you can be ready for each stage.
This guide breaks it down hour-by-hour and day-by-day, so you know what’s normal, what’s serious, and when things start to get better.
⏱️ 6 to 12 Hours: The Early Fire Starts
This is when symptoms first creep in:
Mild anxiety
Restlessness
Sweating
Trouble focusing
Insomnia or disturbed sleep
Most people don’t realize it’s withdrawal at first. It just feels “off.”
⏰ 12 to 24 Hours: The Pressure Builds
This is when your nervous system starts to panic:
Heart rate increases
Shaky hands
Headaches
More intense anxiety
Difficulty sleeping
Some people also report light sensitivity, irritability, or nausea.
⚠️ 24 to 72 Hours: The Peak (Danger Zone for Some)
This is the roughest window — and when serious withdrawal risks kick in:
Racing heart
High blood pressure
Panic attacks
Hallucinations
Seizures (in severe cases)
Delirium tremens (DTs) — medical emergency
If you’re experiencing confusion, seizures, or hallucinations, seek medical attention immediately.
But if symptoms stay mild to moderate, this is when the worst feels the worst — and when the climb out begins.
🌤️ Days 4–7: The Fog Starts to Lift
This is where the light shows up:
Anxiety starts to ease
Shaking slows down
Cravings still hit in waves
Sleep is still rocky — but improving
You start to feel clearer, even if fragile
This is when a lot of people relapse — not because they feel bad, but because they finally feel better. Stay alert.
📅 Week 2: Mood Swings, Sleep Swings, Craving Spikes
By now, most of the physical symptoms are gone.
What’s left:
Mood swings
Cravings triggered by stress, boredom, or habit
Emotional crashes
Early stages of brain repair
Sleep improves slowly. Energy returns gradually. This is when long-term healing begins.
🛡️ Tools That Help at Every Stage
Hydration with electrolytes
Magnesium glycinate (for sleep + anxiety)
Journaling your symptoms (to track progress)
Movement — even light stretching
Cold water or deep breathing for panic
Avoid sugar/caffeine binges
And most importantly: Don’t do this alone. Even one voice saying “I get it” can help you get through it.
🆘 Get Help Through the Hardest Stretch
I built a free 72-Hour Withdrawal Survival Guide to walk you through the peak stage — sleep, cravings, anxiety, and how to survive the storm.
You made it this far. Keep going.
—TORO
