These changes have a kindling effect, meaning they act as a kindle and trigger seizures during subsequent withdrawal episodes. At Healthgrades, our Editorial Team works hard to develop complete, objective and meaningful health information to help people choose the right doctor, right hospital and right care. Our writers include physicians, pharmacists, and registered alcohol withdrawal seizure nurses with firsthand clinical experience. All condition, treatment and wellness content is medically reviewed by at least one medical professional ensuring the most accurate information possible. You don’t need to be diagnosed with alcohol use disorder in order to quit drinking. If alcohol is interfering with your health or your personal, financial, or professional life, consider quitting.
The Role of Therapy and Counseling
If you’ve been drinking heavily for a time and then quit cold turkey, you may experience some of the most dangerous withdrawal symptoms of any substance. Alcohol withdrawal can include dangerous symptoms like seizures, which can come on suddenly and lead to serious consequences. Our review supports the use of benzodiazepines as first-line treatment of severe alcohol withdrawal in the ED. However, our review of evidence from interventional studies performed in the ED does not provide sufficient evidence to recommend routine use of phenobarbital or propofol in ED treatment algorithms.
- Over time, we develop a tolerance for these disruptions and that becomes the new normal.
- An imbalance in your nervous system can result in alcohol withdrawal when you suddenly stop drinking.
- We used the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials Version 2 (RoB 2) to assess the risk of bias in the RCTs included in this study 29.
- In other words, they may experience more rapid intoxication compared to people who aren’t taking these medications.
- This review is limited by the overall poor quality of included studies, most of which were at high/serious risk of bias.
Medications to Ease Withdrawal Symptoms
Someone with a mild-to-moderate alcohol use disorder may have a problem with alcohol without developing significant dependence. In such cases, alcohol withdrawal may not occur when they cut back or quit drinking. However, about half of people with alcohol use disorders will experience withdrawal symptoms. Chronic alcohol abuse is linked to an increased risk of epilepsy (seizure disorder).
Drink in Moderation and Avoid Binge Drinking
A person may go to an outpatient setting for mild and moderate symptoms. This option is safe, effective, relatively cheap, and doesn’t disrupt their personal life. 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.
Benzodiazepines vs. placebo
Alcohol throws a wrench in the works by mimicking GABA and increasing its depressant effects. Meanwhile, alcohol blocks glutamate receptors, decreasing brain signaling. This significant disruption to our brain activity can trigger seizures for those who may have epilepsy and even for those who don’t. At Discover Recovery, we offer personalized alcohol addiction treatment programs to help you get sober and stay sober. Our holistic approach to alcohol rehab includes addressing the physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of your recovery.
- Imaging studies and electroencephalogram (EEG) are important to establish the risk of seizure recurrence.
- They may also provide intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration and medication to ease your symptoms.
- This abrupt change in our brain chemistry can also lead to seizures, as our brain recalibrates to functioning without alcohol’s depressant effects.
- Alcohol withdrawals lead to convulsions because alcohol affects the brain.
Social Support and Treatment Programs
- While epilepsy can develop on its own in people who do not use alcohol, long-term alcohol use will increase the risk of epilepsy developing in some people.
- Read on to learn about the symptoms of AWS, as well as how it can be treated or prevented.
Alcohol withdrawal seizures typically develop 6-48 hours after you stop drinking, but they can occur 2-7 days after your last drink. The seizures can develop abruptly without warning, and multiple seizures can occur within a 6- to 8-hour period. An alcohol withdrawal seizuremay feel likea loss of consciousness which you are slow to wake up from. If you are conscious during an alcohol withdrawal seizure, you may experience repetitive, uncontrolled movements of part or all of your body. Prior to the seizure, you may also experience an “aura,” consisting of an unusual visual change, smell, taste, or sound caused by abnormal brain activity.
Calusa Recovery
People who go through depressant withdrawal can have more severe symptoms with subsequent withdrawal periods. This higher risk of severe withdrawal symptoms can happen even if you’ve used different kinds of central nervous symptom depressants. For instance, if you’ve gone through benzodiazepine withdrawal, you may experience severe withdrawal when going through alcohol withdrawal and vice versa.
Gabapentin
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. Tolerance and physical dependence occur due to compensatory functional changes in the brain. Treatment significantly lowers your risks of complications and death. Additionally, if a seizure cannot be stopped or multiple seizures occur in rapid succession, it could result in permanent injury or prove fatal.