Alcohol Withdrawal Disorder
People develop alcohol dependence after a period of heavy and prolonged drinking. When the drinking stops they might develop alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Alcohol dependence and withdrawal are commonly associated with problematic drinking behavior. It is a set of potentially distressing mental and physical symptoms that occur as a result of quitting/slowing down the consumption of drinking after a prolonged period of heavy use.
Symptoms
Alcohol has a depressive effect on the central nervous system. It causes complex changes in the brain, including to the neurotransmitters dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which affects a person’s sense of reward and excitement.
The production of these neurotransmitters is affected when a person stops or reduces alcohol intake. The brain tries to readjust leading to withdrawal symptoms
People with Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome can present with a wide variety of symptoms. They might be mild to serious, this depends upon
- Amount of alcohol consumption
- Gender
- Body type
- Age
- Underlying medical conditions
Some people are bound to develop severe symptoms of this disorder. Severe symptoms are known as delirium tremens or DTs. It can be life threatening. In extreme cases, the brain can not regulate breathing and circulation. Drastic changes in blood pressure and heart attack can even lead to a stroke or heart attack. These include:
- Severe tremors
- Elevated BP
- Hallucinations
- Extreme confusion
- Seizures
- Raised body temperature
A doctor when suspecting of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome, they will run a few medical tests, take complete medical history and the history of the person’s alcoholic consumptions.
Based on an initial assessment, the doctor will conduct a physical exam.
Treatment for this disorder depends on the severity of the condition. In mild to moderate cases,the doctor would suggest an outpatient procedure. For more severe cases, these methods are usually recommended
- Reduce immediate symptoms
- Prevent complications
- Long term therapy
- Alcohol abstinence