Which symptoms occur during the 5-6 hour phase of alcohol withdrawal?

• A. Convulsive activity
• B. Delirium tremens
• C. Tremors, nausea, sweating, vomiting
• D. Insomnia only

Answer: (C)

The early stage of alcohol withdrawal is driven by the sudden loss of alcohol’s depressant effect, which lets brain activity become more excitatory and the body’s sympathetic systems ramp up. Within about five to six hours after the last drink, you typically see mild autonomic and GI signs as the body starts to rebalance. Tremors are the hallmark at this time, and sweating, nausea, and vomiting accompany them as part of this initial withdrawal response. These symptoms reflect increased nerve activity and gut irritation as the nervous system shifts away from alcohol’s influence.

In contrast, convulsive activity usually appears later, not right at the five-to-six-hour mark, and delirium tremens tends to occur even later (often after 48 hours) with confusion and severe autonomic instability. Insomnia can occur but is not exclusive to this early window and doesn’t capture the characteristic early symptom set. So the combination of tremors, nausea, sweating, and vomiting best represents the 5-6 hour withdrawal phase.