Some are related to epilepsy, while others are due to other health conditions, like alcohol withdrawal or high fever. Severe symptoms can additionally include hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren’t real),4 as well as seizures or delirium tremens (‘DTs’). If you are concerned you might be dependent on alcohol, you should seek medical advice to help you cut down and stop your drinking safely. The most effective way to prevent alcohol withdrawal syndrome is to avoid drinking or drinking only in moderation.
Stage 3: Severe Withdrawal
If you’re worried about your drinking, get in touch with your local GP surgery, who will be able to help. For some people, insomnia caused by stopping drinking can be challenging. It’s really important to resist any urge to start drinking again ‘to help get off to sleep’.
Alcohol-related seizures in people without epilepsy
If you lose consciousness during a seizure, you won’t feel anything as it happens. But you might wake up feeling confused, tired, sore, or scared. A non-epileptic event (NEE) is a seizure that doesn’t involve abnormal electrical activity in the brain. You may stay conscious or briefly lose consciousness during the seizure. You’ll feel your muscles suddenly relax, causing you to suddenly fall.
Behavioral Treatment
- If you seek treatment for an alcohol use disorder, you will likely begin with a medical assessment.
- A non-epileptic event (NEE) is a seizure that doesn’t involve abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
- Heavy alcohol use also depletes the body of vital electrolytes and vitamins, such as folate, magnesium, and thiamine.
- We offer a variety of resources to support, inform, and encourage you as you take the first step toward a more stable, healthier lifestyle.
Also known as inpatient treatment, residential rehab programs provide all treatment services onsite. Clients reside at the treatment center, where they also consume all meals, socialize, attend therapy, and participate in rehabilitative activities. Some residential programs also take clients on excursions and social outings.
Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal: Timeline and Signs of Danger
Treatment varies depending on the severity of withdrawal symptoms. People experiencing mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms often receive outpatient care—meaning there is no extended time spent in a hospital or facility. It’s recommended, however, that they have someone stay with them who can help during recovery.
- Severe and potentially life threatening symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include seizures and delirium tremens (DTs).
- A focal seizure, sometimes referred to as a partial seizure, occurs in just one area of the brain.
- Treating alcohol withdrawal is a short-term fix that doesn’t help the core problem.
- It’s recommended, however, that they have someone stay with them who can help during recovery.
- Withdrawal is your body’s response to stopping or cutting back on using an addictive substance like alcohol.
- Alcoholic seizures are also an indication that a person in alcohol withdrawal may progress to delirium tremens.
While some of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome are similar to a hangover, they are not the same condition. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome and a hangover have different causes. The production of these neurotransmitters is affected when a person stops or significantly reduces alcohol intake. The brain has to readjust, which leads to withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can range from mild to serious.
Alcohol misuse and epilepsy
That means you (or your loved one) won’t have to worry about covering the cost of treatment. Instead, all of your energy and focus can be spent where it’s really needed, which is on overcoming addiction. Also, if there are 3 or more seizures in a row and the person does not regain consciousness in between seizures, they should be evaluated in a hospital emergency room. Symptoms can range in severity, and it’s essential to have your symptoms evaluated by a medical professional.
Support for AUD
If you think someone is experiencing an alcohol overdose, call 911 immediately. Withdrawal is different for everyone; there really is no “normal” and are alcohol withdrawal seizures dangerous it can be hard to predict an individual person’s experience. Mild symptoms may appear similar to a hangover, but they last longer than 24 hours.
The prodrome stage can last for 10 minutes and involves some of the first signs that a seizure may be about to happen. Symptoms that you may experience in this stage include confusion, anxiety, irritability, and headache. Some people describe a general “funny feeling” that happens in this phase.
Alcohol Withdrawal and the Risk of Seizures
If alcohol is interfering with your health or your personal, financial, or professional life, consider quitting. Detox is an inpatient setting with medical staff available at all times. You may be given anxiolytic and sedative medications to help overcome the anxiety and insomnia that is common with alcohol withdrawal. Drugs like benzodiazepines are often used to treat alcohol withdrawal, and they can also be used to taper you off alcohol. Medical detox is highly intensive inpatient treatment with medically managed services. Alcohol dependence may be treated with various options, including medications.
