How long do you have to drink to get withdrawal when you stop? a week or longer if drinking to intoxication?

Depends: This is something that depends on you. Your genetic makeup, your tolerance to alcohol and other factors like medications are important. The basic rule is that the more you drink, and the more days in a row you drink, the higher the risk of withdrawal. Prior withdrawal or delirium tremens is also a big risk. If you are shaky, nauseated, have a seizure then you should seek help.

No easy answer: Generally people need to drink for months on a daily basis to have withdrawal the first time, and one rarely sees severe withdrawal - seizures or delirium tremens - without many years of drinking. However, once withdrawal has occurred, it can be "kindled" far more easily, and even a 2-3 day binge can bring it back. With depression, diabetes and hypertension, you must stop drinking, talk to md.