Alcohol Withdrawal
Resources for Patients and Caregivers
Symptoms that occur when someone stops using alcohol after a period of heavy drinking. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can vary widely in severity. In severe cases, the condition can be life-threatening.
Symptoms may occur from two hours to four days after stopping alcohol. They may include headaches, nausea, tremors, anxiety, hallucinations, and seizures.
In many cases, alcohol withdrawal requires medical treatment and hospital admissions. Medications may be used to treat physical symptoms while counseling and support groups help with controlling drinking behavior.
Cluster Number:
Wiki Number: 05-Alcohol Withdrawal
Diagnosis: Alcohol Withdrawal
US Patients:
World Patients:
Sex Ratio:
Age Onset:
Brain Area: May alter genetics and GABA receptors In the brain. May have prolonged withdrawal due to dopamine underactivity.
Symptoms: anxiety, shakiness, sweating, vomiting, hallucinations and delerium
Progression: Start about six hours after the last drink, worst at 24-72 hours, improve by seven days.
Causes:
Medications: Benzodiazepines but these also have negative side effects.
Therapies:
Youtube Video:
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Overview
Amazon or Library Book: Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Click the book to link or order from Amazon.
Support Group: aa.org (Alcoholics Anonymous)
Resources for Physicians, Counselors and Researchers
4 CURRENT ARTICLES
FROM PUBMED
The world-wide medical research
reports chosen for each diagnosis
Clicking each title opens the
PubMed article’s summary-abstract.
- N-Acetylcysteine normalizes brain oxidative stress and neuroinflammation observed after protracted ethanol abstinence: a preclinical study in long-term ethanol-experienced male ratsby Sandra Fernández-Rodríguez on January 28, 2023
CONCLUSIONS: NAC restores brain oxidative stress and neuroinflammation that we previously observed after protracted ethanol abstinence in long-term ethanol-experienced male rats. This NAC effect could be a plausible mechanism for its anti-relapse effect. Also, brain oxidative stress and neuroinflammation could represent and identify plausible targets for searching new anti-relapse pharmacotherapies.
- Evaluation of Dexmedetomidine as an Adjunct to Phenobarbital for Alcohol Withdrawal in Critically Ill Patientsby Lydia R Ware on January 27, 2023
CONCLUSION: This analysis suggests the use of adjunctive DEX with PHB for AWS was associated with a prolonged ICU LOS. Additional studies are needed to further understand the role of adjunctive DEX in the treatment of AWS in critically ill patients.
- Opioid Use Disorder from Poppy Seed Tea Use: A Case Reportby Glenn R Kauppila on January 26, 2023
BACKGROUND Unwashed or unprocessed poppy seeds may be an underrecognized substance that can lead to dependence, abuse, and an opioid use disorder. Poppy seeds can be purchased in an unwashed or unprocessed form, and these seeds can be contaminated with the opium alkaloids morphine, codeine, and thebaine on their surfaces. Poppy seeds that are commercially available, such as those used for baking and in other food products, are legal to purchase, as they do not contain the opium alkaloids on...
- A challenging case of lumbar vertebral burst fracture with alcohol withdrawal delirium: A case reportby Keisuke Koizumi on January 26, 2023
CONCLUSION: We encountered a patient with severe delirium tremens developing several days after thoraco-lumbar fusion surgery. Prompt internal fixation successfully treated the spinal injury and prevented neurological damage. It may also be necessary to consider treatment strategies for patients with a background of heavy alcohol consumption in consideration of delirium tremens and other symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.