Alcohol withdrawal: The unknown effects that can literally kill

Nov 06, 2016 News

By Dr Zulfikar Bux

Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine

Alcohol misuse is on the increase worldwide. In Guyana it’s no different. It is most commonly

Dr Zulfikar Bux

abused drug in Guyana. The 2012 World Health Organization report stated that 10.7% of the male population in Guyana was exposed to heavy episodic drinking.

The report further showed that alcohol misuse had led to an increase in motor vehicle accidents and injury/death rates, particularly in the male population. Persons who become dependent on alcohol are at risk of having several life-threatening complications. One such complication is alcohol withdrawal.

WHAT IS ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL?

Alcohol withdrawal is a condition that happens when a person who often drinks large amounts of alcohol suddenly stops drinking alcohol. People with alcohol withdrawal often have a headache, a stomach ache, and trouble sleeping. But sometimes, the symptoms are much more serious and even life-threatening. Alcoholics tend to have a difficult time in ceasing their addiction mainly because of this reason.

Alcohol is a drug and constant use of it will lead to build-up of its levels in your body. Over time, your body has gained tolerance for it, and abruptly stopping its consumption leads to a drastic drop in its levels in your body. Unfortunately your body cannot tolerate this abrupt drop and it reacts negatively, causing the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. It is for this reason that alcoholics are advised to slowly taper off their drinking over a period than to abruptly stop. Your body will be able to adapt to the slow drop in its alcohol levels when you slowly taper off your drinking.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL?

Mild symptoms include:

Trouble sleeping
Trembling
Feeling anxious
Having an upset stomach and not wanting to eat
Headache
Sweating
Feeling like your heart is beating fast, beating hard, or seems to skip a beat – These heartbeat changes are called “palpitations.”

These symptoms often start within six hours after a person stops drinking. They might go away within one or two days. But some people also get more serious symptoms, including:

Seizures – also known as “fits”, they are waves of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. They can make a person pass out, or move or behave strangely. With alcohol withdrawal, seizures usually happen within 12 to 48 hours after the person stops drinking.
Hallucinations – Hallucinations are when you hear, see, feel, smell, or taste things that aren’t there. With alcohol withdrawal, the most common type is seeing things that aren’t there. This symptom tends to happen within 12 to 24 hours after the person’s last drink and stop within one or two days.
Delirium tremens or DT – This is the most serious form of alcohol withdrawal. Symptoms include:
Hallucinations
Feeling confused about where you are or who you are
Feeling very upset and anxious
Uncontrolled shaking
A fast heartbeat
High blood pressure
Fever
Sweating

The symptoms start two to four days after a person stops drinking and can last up to five days. If they are not treated urgently, they can lead to many serious complications, including death.

HOW IS ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL TREATED?

The treatment depends on your symptoms. If you have mild symptoms, your doctor might prescribe medicines to take at home. But to do this, you need to meet these conditions:

Have a reliable relative or friend who can stay with you for three to five days to make sure your symptoms are not getting worse
Be able to go in for a medical visit every day
Not be pregnant or have any physical or mental health problems
Not have other substance abuse problems, such as taking illegal drugs
Have never had serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms in the past

If you do not meet these conditions or if you have serious symptoms, you will be treated in the hospital. You might get medicines through a tube in your vein, called an “IV.” All people treated for alcohol withdrawal should also take multivitamins (as pills or through an IV).

Ideally, persons with alcohol withdrawal should be followed at rehabilitation centres. Hospitals usually take the responsibility of rehabilitation centres in countries where these cannot be afforded.

If you (or a relative) are misusing alcohol and want to get away from its effects, do not stop right away. Decrease your consumption amounts over time (a month is a safe duration). This will prevent the risky withdrawal effects and will minimize your addiction cravings.