(1) Old English phoulcat (foul cat). Originally a reference to the fitch, the wild ancestor of the domesticated ferret, because of their ability to emit a foul smelling spray when frightened. (2) Later, used in North America as a reference to the skunk. Both are actually not cats, but members of the weasel family, Mustelidae.
The symptoms of withdrawal can last for a few days up to a few weeks. It really is dependent on each person and their personal addiction. The most common withdrawal times usually last somewhere between a week and 14 days.
How long does alcohol withdrawal last in cases of delirium tremens? It can last for minutes, hours, days, even weeks. Most acute episodes are resolved within five days. Each case is different, however, making it difficult to predict precisely when and for how long the DTs will last, if they occur at all.