how to gauge the severity of alcohol?
How to Gauge the Severity of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can occur when you suddenly stop using alcohol after regular excessive drinking and can range from severe to mild. 1 Severe withdrawal symptoms can be quite serious and in rare situations, they can actually be fatal. Because they can worsen over time, it's important to know whether your symptoms are getting more severe so you can seek help. The most severe symptoms usually occur between two and five days after you stop drinking, which means that the first day or two may not be a good indicator of your risk of serious problems. 1 Moderate vs. Excessive Drinking The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines moderate drinking as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. 2 Moderate drinking is considered safe for most people over the age of 21. A drink is generally defined as: 12 ounces of beer 8 ounces of malt liquor 5 ounces of wine containing 1