Alcohol withdrawal can vary significantly from one person to another depending on several individual factors. Two of the most influential factors are how much someone has been drinking and how long they have been addicted to alcohol. A person’s age, weight, and metabolism can also impact their withdrawal experience. Alcohol withdrawal seizures typically last for a few minutes, but in some cases, they may be prolonged or recurrent, requiring prompt medical attention. Seizures during alcohol withdrawal are thought to be triggered by the sudden decrease in alcohol levels in the body, which affects the balance of neurotransmitters and chemicals in the brain.

Understand Alcohol Withdrawal Seizure Treatment & Prevention

Accordingly, the combinatory intake of clomethiazole and ethanol should be avoided due to its possible life‐threatening effects. Issues like constant vomiting, severe anxiety, or trouble breathing should never be ignored. Understanding can alcohol cause seizures during withdrawal shows the importance of professional intervention to ensure your safety. If you’ve gone through withdrawal before, especially if you experienced seizures or severe symptoms, your risk is much higher during future attempts. This is due to the “kindling effect,” where the brain becomes more sensitive with each withdrawal episode.

Binge Drinking Seizures

DT, or alcohol withdrawal delirium (AWD), is the most severe symptom of alcohol withdrawal and can be life-threatening. It causes heightened sensitivity to light and sound, tremors, seizures, hallucinations, irregular heartbeat, and intense confusion. Lake Avenue Recovery Center provides customized outpatient programming for adults who have become addicted to alcohol and other drugs. Our addiction treatment center in Worcester, Massachusetts, also serves patients whose struggles with compulsive substance abuse are accompanied by mental health concerns.

Mental Health and Loneliness

These involve a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions throughout the body. Seizures typically happen within 6 to 48 hours after the last drink, but the exact timing can vary based on the individual’s drinking history and other health factors. In fact, people struggling with chronic alcohol abuse increase Alcoholics Anonymous their risk of developing seizures when they suddenly stop drinking.

This “balance” becomes the new normal, explaining why we become more tolerant or less affected by alcohol. This tolerance is the reason why alcohol withdrawal occurs, and consequently, alcohol withdrawal seizures. Misusing alcohol can increase your overall risk of developing epilepsy. Heavy alcohol use of three or more drinks in a day can also increase the frequency of seizures in those who already have epilepsy. Additionally, epilepsy medications can increase the effects of alcohol, causing each drink to make you more intoxicated than it usually would.

Are Alcohol Seizures Dangerous?

• The truth is that alcohol addiction is a chronic, progressive disease that can be fatal if not properly treated.
• Our medically-managed detox and recovery program is tailored to your needs to help you overcome withdrawal symptoms and achieve lasting sobriety.
• The most severe symptoms manifest within two to three days – the risk of seizures, in particular, is high in about two days.
• Epilepsy is defined as a spectrum of disorders that involve the central nervous system (brain and spine).
• In a comprehensive treatment program, you’ll have professional support during alcohol withdrawal, and this involves medications and therapy.

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. As the seizure ends, the person may lose bowel or bladder control due to relaxation of the body. Awareness or consciousness return slowly after the alcohol withdrawal seizure ends. The person may appear confused, sleepy, irritable, embarrassed, or frightened afterwards.

Causes & Risk Factors

A study by The Recovery Village found heavy drinkers were 45% more likely than light or moderate drinkers to experience seizures during withdrawal and 73% more likely to have had a seizure in general. By avoiding heavy and binge drinking, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of experiencing seizures related to alcohol withdrawal. Excessive alcohol use can lead to delirium tremens, characterized by severe hyperactive responses, including seizures, which pose serious risks. It is crucial to distinguish alcohol-related seizures from other medical conditions, such as alcohol poisoning, which can also lead to seizures due to metabolic disturbances.

• This process temporarily restores homeostasis, or chemical balance, in an effort to counteract the impact of long-term alcohol use on the brain.
• It’s best to seek medical advice before having any alcoholic beverage since each person is unique.
• Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here.
• Alcoholic neuropathy occurs when too much alcohol damages the peripheral nerves.
• The effect of alcohol on people with epilepsy will vary from person to person, even on the same medication.

In reality, withdrawal is a physiological response to the brain’s adaptation to frequent alcohol use. The nervous system becomes hyperactive when alcohol is suddenly removed, causing distressing and can you get a seizure from alcohol withdrawal potentially dangerous symptoms that are not within someone’s control. Severe AUD can lead to life-threatening complications and require immediate medical intervention. You don’t need to be at the point of requiring emergency attention to reach out to those around you for support. A doctor may also prescribe a sedative drug, such as a benzodiazepine, to help reduce withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness or agitation. Benzodiazepines like Librium (chlordiazepoxide) and Ativan (lorazepam) may also help to prevent minor withdrawal symptoms from becoming more severe.