Already he's spiraling.

[emsr2d2]

Could "already" be substituted with the following with the same meaning?

In a moment/instant, he's spiraling.

No. "Already" there implies that that single joke/insult is all it takes to send him into a spiral. The speaker doesn't have to say anything else, although they probably will.

 

[Ostap]

No. "Already" there implies that that single joke/insult is all it takes to send him into a spiral. The speaker doesn't have to say anything else, although they probably will.

I take it, it's some informal/slangy usage of "already", especially considering its palcing before the subject+verb, right?

 

[Tarheel]

Not really. It's common to put "already" in that spot. It simply means it happened quickly -- perhaps sooner than you would normally expect.

 

[Tdol]

Yes, in conversation.