He or she just does not show as many outward signs as a less experienced drinker might. As we mentioned before, this high tolerance for alcohol is a warning sign of a serious drinking problem. Withdrawal symptoms occur in anyone who drinks, but the more one drinks, the worse the withdrawal symptoms are. The typical symptoms of a hangover are actually withdrawal symptoms. In fact, alcohol withdrawal is more likely to cause death than withdrawal from narcotics like heroin.
Withdrawal symptoms start when the blood alcohol level drops.
Because alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, the withdrawal symptoms involve extreme over-activity of the nervous system, the opposite of the slowing down that alcohol causes. Not all alcoholics experience all of these symptoms, but the withdrawal symptoms usually start with sweating, shaking, a rapid heartbeat, and high blood pressure. If the withdrawal continues, hallucinations may occur. For example, the alcoholic may feel that his body is covered with snakes that are sliding all over him. If the symptoms continue, the alcoholic may experience the DTs, or delirium tremens.