As many of the risk factors for DTs are cumulative or exacerbated by repeated withdrawal episodes, prioritizing professional help early can significantly reduce the chances of developing delirium tremens. Aside from the assessment, laboratory tests are often ordered to help the medical team evaluate the person’s organ function and nutritional status. Delirium tremens typically occur 3-10 days following a person’s last drink. However, for those with severe AUD, DTs can occur as early as 48 hours after abrupt cessation of alcohol and can last up to 5 days. In addition to the management of alcohol withdrawal, you may also need treatment for specific effects of delirium tremens.

Dangers of Untreated Delirium Tremens

The treatment aims to help relieve your symptoms, reduce the chance of complications and, if DTs are bad, save your life. Sedatives, usually benzodiazepines, are medications used to treat alcohol withdrawal and DTs. If your symptoms can’t be managed with sedatives, your doctor may prescribe anesthesia so you will be completely sedated until your symptoms end. You may also need intravenous fluids with vitamins and minerals to treat dehydration or bring your electrolytes back into balance. Even with treatment, one of the possible complications of DTs is death. The risk of death is also higher if you have other severe medical conditions.

What are the risk factors for delirium tremens?

If you are going to have delirium tremens, usually symptoms start between 2 and 4 days after your last drink. However, some symptoms may not show up until up to 10 days after you give up alcohol. There are a whole range of symptoms, including both physical and psychological issues. One of the priorities in treating this condition is to lower nervous system activity. A healthcare provider will treat this using drugs that reduce how active your CNS is.

• There are caring professionals ready to help you detox safely, rebuild your life, and stay free from alcohol’s grip for good.
• Even less often, people see, feel, smell, or even taste things that aren’t real.
• If someone is already experiencing delirium tremens, immediate medical intervention is necessary.
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Over time, your CNS adjusts and sees that increased activity level as its new normal. Without medical treatment, up to 35% of people with DTs may die. Even with treatment, the condition can still be life-threatening, especially if it’s not caught early.

• Monitoring and treatment are directed by specific effects you are experiencing and will likely be adjusted as your condition fluctuates.
• It may be necessary for family or loved ones to make decisions if you can’t make choices for yourself.
• These happen in a very small number of people during withdrawal.
• During his travels, he experiences delirium tremens on a couch after waking up from a binge and crawls in pain to the refrigerator for more vodka.

What are the main symptoms of delirium tremens (DTs)?

These happen in a very small number of people during withdrawal. You may hear things that seem very real to you, but they aren’t there. Even less often, people see, feel, smell, or even taste things that aren’t real. Hallucinations during withdrawal tend to begin shortly after stopping alcohol use, typically emerging within 12 hours to about 3 days.

The key factor in whether DTs is reversible lies in timely intervention. The brain and body’s stress response during severe withdrawal can be mitigated when a specialized medical team intervenes early with the right medications, supportive measures and monitoring. Once acute symptoms subside and the individual recovers, ongoing care—including psychotherapy, support groups and rehabilitation—helps maintain sobriety and reduce the risk of future withdrawal crises. Delirium tremens is an extremely dangerous condition that affects those who have long-term histories of alcohol misuse or who are in the late stage of alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Of that population, more than 50% exhibit alcohol withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing or decreasing their alcohol use. The lifetime risk for developing DTs in this population is approximately 5-10%.

For those who do develop symptoms, early recognition and prompt treatment are key. With evidence-based medications and specialized care, the prognosis improves dramatically. This structured approach ensures that each patient receives both immediate life-saving interventions and long-term support for lasting sobriety. Early, aggressive treatment for delirium tremens can significantly reduce the risk of death and complications, making professional intervention the safest and most effective route. The onset of these symptoms is often abrupt, but the most severe manifestations (e.g., delusions, extreme agitation) tend to reach their peak a few days after they begin.

Delirium Tremens: When Does Alcohol Cause DTs?

Early and aggressive medication management is vital to preventing serious complications like seizures, cardiac arrhythmias and lasting cognitive changes. Patients who receive appropriate medications in a medical or clinical setting have the best chance at a smooth and safe detoxification process. After you are stabilized, you will need medical attention and surveillance, and your treatments can be adjusted based on your symptoms and vital signs.

According to a study, delirium tremens is estimated to affect between 5% and 12% of people who are dependent on alcohol. Copyright © 2025, AddictionHelp.com The information provided by AddictionHelp.com is not a substitute for professional medical advice. View our editorial content guidelines to learn how we create helpful content with integrity and compassion. The Cleveland Clinic reports that about 29% of adults in the U.S. will meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder at some point in their lifetime.

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Suddenly, your CNS doesn’t have to pull back against alcohol to keep activity at a proper level. That means your CNS is much more active than needed, to the point that it negatively affects automatic body processes. Understanding the timeline of alcohol withdrawal can help you or your loved one know when it’s time to act fast. It’s caused by the brain’s sudden reaction to alcohol being removed from the system. After years of drinking, the brain adapts to having alcohol around.

How to Safely Stop Drinking and Avoid Delirium Tremens

If you have signs of delirium tremens, you will need medical care in an acute care hospital setting. This may involve management in the hospital’s intensive care unit. Monitoring and treatment are directed by specific effects you are experiencing and will likely be adjusted as your condition fluctuates.

When that alcohol disappears, the brain misfires—leading to seizures, confusion, hallucinations, and even coma. Delirium tremens causes confusion, and periods of the experience are not likely to be remembered. Someone with delirium tremens is likely to experience things that are not there and become agitated or even aggressive, not recognizing those around them. Whether you are struggling with addiction, mental health or both, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life.

It can also be more broadly categorized as an alcohol withdrawal symptom. Individuals who have a history of alcohol abuse are often dehydrated and malnourished; therefore, hydration and nutrition are usually prioritized upon admission to prevent organ damage. Thiamine, folate, dextrose, and electrolytes are often administered in an intravenous bag of fluids to help replenish the chemical balance and hydration status. Hallucinations caused Delirium Tremens Symptoms by delirium tremens are unique “immersion” hallucinations, meaning that the person believes they are in a different environment than in reality.

When someone you love is facing addiction, it’s hard to know where to turn. Sunnyside Med offers access to compounded naltrexone (50mg + B6 5mg), paired with behavioral tools to help you reduce your drinking over time. Alcohol acts on chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters, specifically GABA. If you consume alcohol, you should find out whether the amount that you are drinking is harmful to your health. It is beneficial for you to quit if you are consuming an unhealthy amount of alcohol or if your alcohol use is causing emotional, psychological, or relationship problems. Compare centers, explore options and start your path to recovery today.