Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures: Causes & Care

Alcohol withdrawal appeared to be the only cause of seizures in nearly half the subjects. If a seizure lasts close to five minutes or more, it Oxford House becomes a medical emergency. This potentially fatal symptom from severe or complicated withdrawal should be all the proof you need to attend supervised detox. Just know that you will be well cared for during the process, and symptoms will be managed. There is a condition known as status epilepticus that may result in the seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes, or someone suffering several seizures in a row without a return to consciousness.

Alcohol enhances the effects of GABA, a neurotransmitter that calms the nervous system while suppressing glutamate, which excites it. Talk to your doctor or an alcohol treatment specialist before you try tapering. They can help you understand what to expect and help you come up with a safe plan. Trained specialists will help you better understand your habits and patterns of behavior and how to commit to new ones. This could include everything from anger management classes to nutrition advice.

Severe Headaches

• The longer the person’s history of problem drinking, the more severe the withdrawal symptoms will be, emphasizing the need to manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms effectively.
• In this rapid review, we adapted traditional systematic review methods to generate evidence within an accelerated time frame 21–23.
• If you are seeking drug and alcohol related addiction rehab for yourself or a loved one, the sponsored hotline is a confidential and convenient solution.
• Do not mix anti-seizure medication and alcohol without first speaking to a physician.
• The typical time of onset for DTs is between 48 to 72 hours after someone has had their last drink, although it is possible to occur sooner or later.
• People with a long history of heavy alcohol use are more likely to suffer severe withdrawal effects, including alcohol seizures.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. All Addiction Resource content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible. Once the person becomes conscious, they are likely to be extremely confused, tired, and sore. A seizure is electrical activity between neurons that becomes uncontrolled and unstable. The patient should be admitted to hospital, assessed and monitored for at least 24 hours.

The Role of Laboratory Tests and Imaging in Diagnosing Alcohol Seizures

There was no significant difference in the laboratory parameters between both groups. At first, a set of demographic questions and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) were taken in the form of an interview. During the next five visits, the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol, Revised (CIWA‐Ar)38, 39 was administered. Furthermore, laboratory parameters (sodium levels, SGGT, and SGOT‐SGPT quotient) and the occurrence of ARS were recorded. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to determine the variables explaining the appearance of ARS and DT. The dependent variables were the occurrence of ARS and the appearance of DT in the case of ARS.

• These are the signs that need to be remembered, as anyone falling into these categories should not detox alone and is recommended to have medical supervision by a professional.
• A person with epilepsy should speak with their doctor to determine how much alcohol, if any, is safe to consume with their condition.
• For patients with problematic alcohol use, an emergency department visit can be a life-saving encounter.
• The good news is that alcohol withdrawal seizures are preventable with the right treatment and care.

Gabapentin is a medication that has also historically been used to treat seizures. Doctors also prescribe the medication for restless leg syndrome and nerve pain caused by shingles. People who are addicted to alcohol may also benefit from taking gabapentin. In the past, detox programs have used benzodiazepine to treat alcohol withdrawal and reduce the risk of seizures and hallucinations. However, gabapentin may be a non-addictive alternative that can be used in combination with other medications. While detoxing, clients who take gabapentin are also likely to experience improved mood, less anxiety, and better sleep quality.

If you’ve developed alcohol use disorder in addition to alcohol dependence, detox may not be enough to address your alcohol problem. Detox alone may help you achieve sobriety, but that sobriety may be short-lived. Alcohol withdrawal can last for five to 10 days, but alcohol cravings and compulsions to use may continue for a long time.

• Being a condition unique to alcohol withdrawal, it is necessary to drink heavily for an extended time to develop DTs.
• Seizures related to alcohol use are often the result of sudden withdrawal after prolonged drinking or chronic abuse, and they can be unpredictable and dangerous.
• Along with the increased sensitivity to glutamate, this produces a dangerous state of hyperarousal in the brain.
• Several previous reports have examined the risk factors of complicated AWS, and the majority of our findings support their observations.

Contents

AWS carries significant morbidity and mortality on its own, and the syndrome may complicate co-morbid treatment of medical illness or trauma. While benzodiazepines have long been the mainstay of AWS treatment, novel approaches have garnered increasing evidence and acceptance. In their role as gatekeepers to systems of care, ED clinicians should also be familiar with levels of care and behavioral interventions available to patients with AUD. Furthermore, some patients may exaggerate the subjective symptoms of alcohol withdrawal in order to receive more benzodiazepines. Clinicians should use caution when using symptom-triggered protocols among patients with these co-morbidities. Fixed dosing regimens or even benzodiazepine-sparing protocols should be considered instead.

Severe Anxiety or Panic Attacks

Multiple studies have investigated the use of other anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), including divalproex,61 carbamazepine,62 and phenytoin63 in the treatment of AWS. The incidence of alcohol withdrawal seizures also tended to be lower in patients treated with an AED compared to other drugs. Depending on the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, there are different medications that are supposed to take care of various manifestations of this condition. The absolute best way to prevent or reduce the risk of alcohol withdrawal seizures is to enter a detox center. Individuals will differ in their tolerances to certain medications, and medical professionals will be able to determine the unique needs of each person. The dangers posed by these seizures should not be taken lightly, and there are safe and effective treatments available.

FAQs on Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures

The production and consumption of alcohol have also been practiced for thousands of years. When you drink heavily, it can lead to various serious consequences, including dependence and addiction. Ultimately, regular medical check-ups serve as a preventive strategy for maintaining quality of life and prolonging independence, particularly for those navigating the challenges of alcohol recovery.

Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment

We identified 13 studies that met inclusion criteria for our review (7 randomized controlled trials and 6 observational studies). We divided studies based on intervention and summarized evidence narratively. Benzodiazepines decrease alcohol withdrawal seizure recurrence and treat other alcohol withdrawal symptoms, but no clear evidence supports the use of one benzodiazepine over another.

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• Status epilepticus is a medical emergency that may lead to lasting brain damage or death.
• When someone has severe AUD, their drinking has caused the central nervous system to slow down as the brain produces more GABA.
• The overstimulating effects of alcohol withdrawal can lead to increased blood pressure, heart palpitations, sleeplessness, fever, hallucinations, panic, and seizures.
• Over time, we develop a tolerance for these disruptions and that becomes the new normal.
• Regular alcohol consumption may begin as a way to bolster confidence in social settings or unwind after work or on weekends.
• Since symptoms typically appear within 24 hours after stopping alcohol use, starting alternative treatments promptly is crucial.

Although one recent literature review summarized evidence for ED withdrawal management, the authors extrapolated what is Oxford House recommendations from guidelines for non-ED settings 19. Another recent literature review also included evidence from non-ED studies 20. Abnormally low blood sugar levels can lead to seizures, and this drop normally occurs at the same time as a hangover, causing people to connect the hangover with the seizure. Hangovers do not generally increase the risk of seizures, but they can play a role in seizures occurring.