Alcohol withdrawal natural history, complications and prognosis

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal usually resolve within seven days of alcohol intake discontinuation. Most patients with alcohol withdrawal have mild symptoms and may be treated with outpatient management. 5% of patients with alcohol withdrawal will present with severe alcohol withdrawal characteristics including seizures and delirium tremens (DT). 5% of patients with alcohol withdrawal and delirium tremens (DT) die from various complications.

• Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal usually resolve within seven days of alcohol intake discontinuation.^[1]
• Most patients with alcohol withdrawal have mild symptoms and may be treated with outpatient management.^[2]

5% of patients with alcohol withdrawal and delirium tremens (DT) die from complications such as:^[3][4]

• Cardiovascular
• Metabolic
• Infections
• Trauma

• Alcohol withdrawal is rare in patients <30 years old, and the severity increases with more age.^[5]
• Most patients with alcohol withdrawal have mild symptoms and may be treated with outpatient management.^[2]
• 5% of patients with alcohol withdrawal will present with severe alcohol withdrawal characteristics including:^[2]
  • Seizures
  • Delirium tremens (DT)