When people with AUD attempt to quit drinking, they can experience withdrawal symptoms, including seizures or convulsions. Alcohol withdrawal seizures can be managed in a healthcare setting but can be dangerous if you’re at home without access to medical care. That’s why it’s important to seek help at a professional alcohol rehab facility, especially for detoxification.
Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal: Timeline and Signs of Danger
However, heavy alcohol use or binge drinking can sometimes trigger seizures, especially in people with an underlying seizure disorder (epilepsy). Additionally, there are studies linking excessive alcohol consumption with an increased risk of developing epilepsy. When people talk about alcohol seizures, they usually mean alcohol withdrawal seizures. These are seizures (convulsions) that can occur 6 to 72 hours after a person with alcohol use alcohol withdrawal seizure disorder stops drinking or significantly reduces their alcohol intake. Developing a tolerance for alcohol has a direct impact on the central nervous system. For abusers, the cessation of drinking can significantly increase the seizure threshold.
How Does Alcohol Work in the Brain?
Alcohol withdrawal seizures typically occur 6 to 72 hours after you stop drinking and there is a rapid drop in blood alcohol concentration. As discussed above, some studies have found links between chronic alcohol use and the risk of developing epilepsy. This may be due to neuroadaptive changes in the brain because of prolonged drinking. It affects about 50% of people with alcohol use disorder who stop or significantly decrease their alcohol intake. AUD is the most common substance use disorder in the U.S., affecting 28.8 million adults.
Stage 1: Minor Withdrawal Symptoms
The main management for severe symptoms is long-acting benzodiazepines — typically IV diazepam or IV lorazepam. It’s difficult to predict who will and who won’t experience alcohol withdrawal — and how severe it will be. Some people experience prolonged withdrawal symptoms, like insomnia and mood changes, that can last for weeks or months.
Laboratory tests and imaging studies are critical in diagnosing alcohol seizures and providing appropriate care. A 2017 review found that a history of alcohol misuse increased the risk of post-traumatic epilepsy in people with traumatic brain injury. This article looks at the connection between alcohol, seizures, and epilepsy, as well as treatment options and support. Seizures typically occur within 12 hours of stopping the use of alcohol or reducing your intake. Withdrawal is your body’s response to stopping or cutting back on using an addictive substance like alcohol.
- Unstable vital signs increase the risk of complications and can be managed with medications.
- According to a 2017 article, alcohol withdrawal seizures in those without epilepsy may occur 6–48 hours after a person consumes their last alcoholic drink.
- You may be given anxiolytic and sedative medications to help overcome the anxiety and insomnia that is common with alcohol withdrawal.
- If you’ve developed alcohol use disorder in addition to alcohol dependence, detox may not be enough to address your alcohol problem.
How does alcohol affect people with epilepsy?
Alcohol-induced seizures are triggered by alcohol withdrawal in people with a long history of drinking. Alcohol withdrawal seizures can occur a few hours to a few days after a person stops drinking after chronic alcohol abuse. Research also suggests that repeated episodes of alcohol withdrawal seizures can make the brain more excitable. As a result, people who previously experienced seizures provoked by binge drinking may start to experience seizures even in the absence of alcohol use – this is called alcohol-induced epilepsy. People with epilepsy should consult their doctor before using alcohol, as alcohol can affect epilepsy medications. Alcohol use can alsotrigger seizures in people with epilepsyif withdrawal symptoms begin to occur.
Continuing Education Activity
Consulting a professional could make this a safer process to go through. In this article, learn what alcohol does to the brain, how it can lead to seizures, and what you need to know about alcohol use if you already have a seizure disorder. If your symptoms are more severe, you may need to stay in the hospital. This is so your doctor can monitor your condition and manage any complications. You may need to get fluids intravenously, or through your veins, to prevent dehydration and medications to help ease your symptoms. Medications such as clonazepam and lorazepam are benzodiazepines that can cause a life threatening interaction when mixed with alcohol.
Contact Discover Recovery for Help with Alcohol Addiction Treatment
If you do drink, avoid binge drinking or chronically high consumption, which may help reduce your seizure severity or frequency. We have an experienced team of healthcare providers who can manage alcohol-related seizures during the withdrawal phase and keep you safe and comfortable. Call us today to find out more about our alcohol detoxification programs.
The first may involve a loss of consciousness with increased muscle rigidity. The second phase involves rapid tightening and relaxing of the muscles, which involve convulsions that can lead to serious injuries. While other types of alcohol are poisonous to humans, it’s thought that we developed the ability to drink ethanol because it’s naturally produced in fallen fruit. The production and consumption of alcohol have also been practiced for thousands of years. When you drink heavily, it can lead to various serious consequences, including dependence and addiction. Alcohol is the common name for drinking alcohol, but it’s actually a specific chemical in a broad category of chemicals called alcohol.
Alcohol Withdrawal Can Cause Seizures
An alcohol withdrawal seizure is frequently a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. The person may cry or groan and fall to the floor as they lose consciousness. Additionally, they may bite their tongue which may cause the saliva to be blood-tinged.
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