Drug detox can vary according to the patient’s addiction factors, including the substance abused, how long the addiction has lasted, the patient’s medical condition, if any other disorders are present, and more. 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.

When Do Alcohol Seizures Occur? Recognizing and Managing the Risks

• Depressants like alcohol can cause your muscles to relax, but withdrawal can cause tremors, muscle tightness, and seizures.
• However, when alcohol is involved in seizure incidents, it’s usually the withdrawal from alcohol, rather than the act of drinking itself, that triggers seizures.
• The health consequences of alcohol withdrawal from sustained use can be both deep and complex.
• With the right support and a focus on self-care, you can build a safer, better life in recovery.

Our department is specialized in detoxification of alcohol and/or other recreational drugs and treatment of acute intoxications with an attached medical intermediate care unit and intensive care unit (ICU). We prospectively included patients with AUD admitted for AWT electively or via the ED with alcohol intoxication and subsequent AWS, receiving AWT in our department. AWS was treated with either clomethiazole or benzodiazepines and/or clonidine, for anticonvulsive prophylaxis valproic acid or levetiracetam was administered. Patients with regular consumption of other illegal drugs, missing consent or younger than 18 alcoholism years were excluded. Patients who refused further treatment due to unknown reasons were also excluded.

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It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified alcohol withdrawal seizure healthcare provider. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. When this effect occurs deeply or over a long period of time, brain activity can rebound during alcohol withdrawal, exceeding normal levels and creating the risk of a seizure. Someone with an alcohol withdrawal seizure may experience convulsions and lose consciousness.

Can You Have a Seizure from Alcohol Withdrawal?

• Your brain chemistry is so used to the presence of alcohol in your system, that it overloads the central nervous system.
• The most typical and severe type of seizure that happens is called tonic-clonic seizures, also called convulsions.
• Newer agents, such as chlormethiazole, topiramate, gabapentin, and valproate are promising, but validation in controlled clinical trials is necessary.
• If you are detoxing in a facility, your medical staff will administer medications and help alleviate the worst of the symptoms.

If you experience an alcoholic seizure, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. When you stop drinking after prolonged or heavy alcohol use, your body goes through significant changes as it adjusts to the absence of alcohol. Without it, the brain enters a state of hyperactivity, which can lead to serious symptoms, including an alcohol withdrawal seizure (2). Alcohol affects brain chemistry by slowing down its activity through neurotransmitters that regulate mood and behavior.

In these models, animals are exposed to alcohol by intragastric intubation, inhalation, or feeding in a nutritionally complete liquid diet for periods of 2 to 21 days. The animals exhibit sound-evoked audiogenic seizures or handling-induced convulsions during the 1- to 3-day period after cessation of alcohol intake and may also experience spontaneous generalized seizures. Enrolling in treatment programs is always recommended, especially for anyone who is at a higher risk of alcoholic seizures. Detox programs and inpatient facilities can give you medical supervision, which is very important during the early stages of recovery.

• Our holistic approach also includes therapy, counseling, and other supportive services to address the root causes of addiction and support long-term recovery.
• This allows the brain and body to adjust without extreme neurochemical imbalances.
• Understanding the alcohol withdrawal timeline is crucial for anticipating symptoms and seeking appropriate care.
• Recognizing the early warning signs of an alcohol withdrawal seizure can make the difference between a manageable detox and a medical emergency.