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Suspected Substance Withdrawal in Adolescents — Signs and Symptoms Specific to Alcohol Withdrawal — Clinical Pathway: Inpatient

Suspected Substance Withdrawal in Adolescents Clinical Pathway — Inpatient

Signs and Symptoms Specific to Alcohol Withdrawal

Symptoms Time of Appearance After Last Use Comments
Insomnia, tremulousness, mild anxiety, GI upset, headache, diaphoresis, palpitations, anorexia 6-12 hrs
  • Alcohol hallucinosis
  • Visual, auditory, or tactile hallucinations
12-24 hrs Symptoms generally resolve within 48 hrs
  • Withdrawal seizures
  • Generalized tonic-clonic seizures
24-48 hrs Symptoms reported as early as 2 hrs after cessation
  • Alcohol withdrawal delirium, delirium tremens:
    • Hallucinations, predominantly visual
    • Disorientation, tachycardia, hypertension
    • Low-grade fever, agitation, diaphoresis
48-72 hrs Symptoms peak at 5 days

 

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