Final answer:
Alcohol withdrawal can result in symptoms such as tremors, seizures, insomnia, and confusion, which persist for up to 72 hours. Nausea, vomiting, and dehydration are also common, and the process can be life-threatening, requiring medical supervision.
Step-by-step explanation:
Withdrawal from alcohol can result in a variety of symptoms that typically persist for up to 72 hours. These symptoms contribute to the "crash" commonly associated with alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Among these symptoms are tremors, seizures, insomnia, and confusion. Additionally, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea lasting 24-48 hours can occur, leading to possible dehydration and changes in blood pressure and heart rate. These symptoms manifest because chronic exposure to alcohol causes compensatory adaptations in the reward circuitry of the brain. When alcohol consumption is abruptly discontinued, the hyperactive adaptations that have developed to counteract alcohol's inhibitory effects become unbalanced, leading to increased glutamatergic activity which may result in toxicity and cell death. Drug withdrawal is an aversive experience and in the case of alcohol can be life-threatening, hence individuals are strongly advised to undergo the process under medical supervision.