While alcohol is heavily advertised and sold in many stores, it is one of the most dangerous substances from which to withdraw. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be mild or may be severe enough to require hospitalization. You may have heard about things like delirium tremens but may also wonder can alcohol withdrawal cause seizures? Alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures and, if not managed properly, can be fatal. Because of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, many find themselves unable to quit drinking. At Laguna View Detox, we understand what happens to your body when it becomes dependent on alcohol, and we know how to help you safely withdraw.
What Is Alcohol Withdrawal?
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is the collection of symptoms that occur when someone stops drinking after regularly drinking. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can start as early as four hours after your last drink, with the worst symptoms occurring between thirty-six and seventy-two hours. While some of the symptoms can be mild, others can be much more serious and even fatal. While withdrawing from alcohol, your symptoms will likely begin much like a hangover. You may experience nausea, vomiting, agitation, anxiety, irritability, and headache. As the withdrawal progresses, you may experience itching, pins and needles sensations, numbness, burning sound sensitivity, and light sensitivity. You may also have hallucinations, become disoriented, experience insomnia, and have tremors. While all of these symptoms will result in a great deal of discomfort, your symptoms can be managed with medication. The goal during detox is to prevent the more severe symptoms.
Can Alcohol Withdrawal Cause Seizures?
The severity of alcohol withdrawal is somewhat determined by how much you usually drink and for how long. It is also influenced by the number of times that you have gone through alcohol withdrawal in the past. If you have safely detoxed in the past, you may wonder if alcohol withdrawal causes seizures. Alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures, especially if you have been drinking heavily for a long time. The risk for attacks is also increased if you have experienced seizures or delirium tremens when withdrawing in the past. The severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms also increases each time you withdraw due to what’s known as the kindling effect.
What Is the Safest Way to Detox From Alcohol?
Because of the possibility of delirium tremens and seizures, the safest way to detox from alcohol is under medical supervision. Most medical professionals rely on the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment (CIWA) protocol to monitor alcohol withdrawal. This protocol enables medical professionals to assess your progress through the withdrawal and treat your symptoms to keep you safe. The protocol measures all of your symptoms, including:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tremors
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Sweating
- Orientation
- Tactile disturbances
- Auditory disturbances
- Visual disturbances
- Headache
Measuring these symptoms and their severity allows the treatment team to provide medications to manage your symptoms and help your body rid itself of the alcohol more safely. It also allows the treatment team to predict the likelihood of delirium tremens or seizures to initiate treatments more quickly. Detoxing on your own can be dangerous and even fatal.
How To Get Your Loved One Help With Alcoholism
At Laguna View Detox, we understand how alcohol withdrawal can stop you from getting sober. We also know how to help you safely detox so that you can move on to a life in recovery. We offer round-the-clock care in a luxurious, inpatient treatment setting in one of the most beautiful areas in California. We’ll ensure your loved one makes it through detox safely and then help them build a new sober life.
Our committed and compassionate staff are some of the best in the industry, and they’ll work with your loved one to create an individualized, holistic treatment plan. We understand the interplay between mental health and addiction and are here to help. We also understand the importance of helping you build a support network for when you leave treatment. We will care for you while you safely detox and then guide you through inpatient treatment and aftercare. So contact us today and let us help you break free from addiction!