Alcohol withdrawal seizures are caused by abrupt cessation of heavy alcohol consumption (50). For a comprehensive discussion of seizure types related to alcohol, see McMicken and Liss (42). This article deals only with seizures occurring during alcohol withdrawal in adults. An alcohol withdrawal seizure is a serious complication that can occur when someone who has been drinking heavily for an extended period suddenly reduces or stops their alcohol intake. When a person consumes alcohol regularly, their brain and body become accustomed to its presence. Over time, the central nervous system adapts to alcohol’s depressant effects by increasing activity in certain neurotransmitter systems to maintain balance.
Study design
Studies show that individuals who get professional help have higher success rates in managing withdrawal and achieving long-term recovery (4). By managing the risks of alcohol withdrawal, medical care ensures you have the safest and most supportive environment to begin your recovery journey. When someone quits drinking without medical support, they face risks like severe dehydration, confusion, or even seizures. Without proper care, these symptoms can quickly escalate and become life-threatening.
Do Withdrawal Seizures Come with Warning Signs?
The tonic phase is followed by the clonic phase in which the arms and legs jerk rhythmically and rapidly. This typically involves bending and straightening of the major joints (elbows, hips, and knees). The person’s face may turn bluish if they have trouble breathing during a prolonged seizure. A tonic-clonic seizure has a tonic (stiffening) and clonic Sober living house (rhythmic jerking) phase.
Anticonvulsant Drug Pharmacology of Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures
The most important neurotransmitters involved in this phenomenon are GABA and glutamate. It must exist in balance with glutamate, which is a neurotransmitter that increases electrical activity in the brain. Overcome addiction with our family support system, and regain control of your life! According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), symptoms usually start six hours after cessation, peak within 24 to 72 hours, and improve within seven days. Despite a shorter half-life it has longer duration of action because it is distribution is slower and less extensive (13). In a study that compared lorazepam versus diazepam, no differences were seen in seizure recurrence and other parameters such as readmission, CIWA-Ar score, or length of stay (65).
- Research suggests that people with chronic alcohol abuse disorder may be at an increased risk of developing epilepsy.
- This review provides an overview of the current understanding of the cellular and molecular events that lead to alcohol withdrawal seizures.
- Medical professionals are integral in addressing symptoms as they emerge and equipping patients for a positive outcome during the withdrawal period.
Because alcohol withdrawal seizures are a symptom of severe acute withdrawal syndrome, they should be treated as such. Patients should be admitted and close monitoring should be available, assessing the patient every 1 to 2 hours for up to 6 to 24 hours (79). As mentioned above, the revised CIWA-Ar scale can be applied to grade the severity of alcohol withdrawal (71). It has prognostic value, as patients with scores less than 10 generally do not need pharmacological treatment. However, symptom-triggered therapy based on the CIWA-Ar protocol depends on correct application of the inventory (17).
Strategies for Preventing Alcohol-Induced Seizures
Alcohol withdrawal seizures are a serious medical emergency requiring immediate attention and professional care. The symptoms can develop quickly, underscoring the need for immediate medical attention and professional treatment. If you or a loved one is struggling with an alcohol use disorder (unhealthy patterns of alcohol consumption), get in touch with Discover Recovery Treatment Center today. We offer holistic addiction treatment programs that are tailored to the needs of each client.
- A physical exam checks for signs of autonomic instability, including elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, and abnormal reflexes.
- When a person with an alcohol addiction stops drinking, the brain essentially goes haywire because it has become dependent on the presence of alcohol.
- For many, choosing to take that first step to seeking treatment can be scary, but you’re not alone.
They also do not cause changes alcohol withdrawal seizure in electroencephalographic (EEG) readings (brain activity tracings). People with alcohol withdrawal seizures may also experience tremors, hallucinations, muscle spasms, and a rapid heart rate. The authors report that over 90% of alcohol withdrawal seizures occur within 48 hours after the last drink. Preventing alcohol-induced seizures is crucial for managing alcohol withdrawal and ensuring the safety of individuals with a history of excessive alcohol use. Key strategies for prevention include moderation in alcohol consumption and regular medical check-ups. In addition to therapy and counseling, medical supervision during detoxification is recommended to safely manage withdrawal symptoms.
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Your calming chemical is depleted and electrical activity goes through the roof. Finally, we will cover available treatments and medications, and end with a game plan of sorts for the severe alcoholic who wants to change his or her life. For detection of alcohol overuse, questionnaire-based interviews are reported to be more sensitive than any biomarker (04). However, in cases where information on recent alcohol consumption is unavailable or considered unreliable, markers of alcohol consumption can increase accuracy of clinical diagnosis (06; 08). Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) and gammaglutamyl transferase (GGT) are sensitive markers for alcohol overuse; systematic literature reviews have been inconclusive as to which marker is better (59; 68).