It can, but there are many factors that lead to this. It depends on how long you have been drinking, your average BAC (or blood alcohol level - my ex's has been clocked at .40 and while he did have seizures when suddenly stopping, it did not kill him), so the answer to your question depends on how much you drink - with the caveat that everyone is different.
If severe, the best bet is to go through the first 3 or so days of detox in the hospital. While there, they can monitor your vitals, supplement electrolytes and other nutrients that are lost because of drinking (called a banana bag here), watch for seizures, and administer meds that make it easier.
If a hospital is not an option, the best bet to quit would be to decrease alcohol intake very slowly over time on your own (again, I am not sure if this is needed because I do not know where you are with drinking). But, if you are similar to my ex, it is better to be safe than sorry. The gradual decline in the amount you drink may prevent some potentially serious outcomes.
Also, for all drinkers, thiamine (B1) helps to protect the liver and it is incredibly important to eat food (do not substitue alcohol for food - the sugars in alcohol may make you feel full, but it is essential to eat).
I watched my ex go through this so many times, he was an incredibly heavy drinker. He would drink burbon staight from the bottle (like chugging water) and this was from the largest size bottle they have. He would drink from the minute he woke up to when he passedout and then the process would repeat. Also, because of his drinking he was incontinent all over the house. This occured for years on end - beginning around 2005 to the day. When he lived here, he had blackouts, tried to fill in the gaps with confubulation at the expense of me, and would not eat. I actualy found 20 empty bottles of burbon between the walls in my basement. This is a sign of hiding a very serious addiction. He also refused to get help - and there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting help to quit.
Now he has 2 DUIs under his belt, each with crashes, and is headed to jail - among many other penalties.
Withdrawing from alcohol can be done safely, but it can be pretty bad depending on the amount you drink and/or how it affects you.
Be well, and I hope you are able to quit with ease.
