What are the signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal?

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms begin 6 to 24 hours after the last drink and progress in severity. Early symptoms include anxiety, tremors, insomnia, nausea, diaphoresis, and tachycardia. Within 12 to 48 hours, hallucinations and seizures may occur. Delirium tremens, the most severe form, typically occurs 48 to 72 hours after cessation and presents with severe confusion, agitation, hallucinations, fever, hypertension, and tachycardia, with a mortality rate of 5 to 15 percent if untreated. The CIWA-Ar scale quantifies withdrawal severity and guides benzodiazepine dosing.