While becoming sober brings great life-changing benefits, you may be thinking about it twice. Dealing with alcohol withdrawal symptoms isn’t easy for patients and loved ones alike.
If you’re a patient, you may not know what to expect when you break your alcohol consumption cycle. As a friend or family member, learning everything you can about alcohol seizure symptoms can help your loved one change their life.
Don’t know how to deal with alcohol withdrawal? We’ve got you covered. We’ll tell you all you need to know about alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Read on for your guide to change your loved one or your life today.
Journey Toward Sobriety: Dealing with Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
About 15.1 million adults over 18 suffer alcohol use disorder (AUD). A patient can experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms when they decide to stop or reduce their consumption.
AUD patients may experience more severe symptoms than other heavy drinkers. Keep in mind that your alcohol withdrawal symptoms will depend on your consumption, medical conditions, among other factors. These symptoms can be split into 3 phases.
Phase 1 (First 6 to 12 Hours after Consumption)
During this phase, the patient may suffer anxiety, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, headaches and even abdominal pain.
Phase 2 (12 to 24 Hours Later)
Twelve hours after consumption, you may experience hand tremors, disorientation, and even seizures.
Phase 3 (48 Hours after Consumption)
A patient may experience high blood pressure, seizures, alcohol fever, delirium tremens, and hallucinations during this phase.
Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms can push a patient to relapse on their journey toward recovery. Knowing how to handle a relapse is vital to break your cycle or support your loved one. It’s recommended to learn more about handling the relapse of a recovering alcoholic to improve your life.
Who Can Suffer Alcohol Seizure Symptoms?
You may think that only epilepsy patients may suffer seizures due to alcohol withdrawal. Yet, that isn’t true. You might be asking yourself, why does alcohol withdrawal cause seizures?
Alcohol consumption changes your nervous system behavior. This substance binds to your GABA neurotransmitters and inhibits their functions. Consuming alcohol disrupts signaling between your neurons.
When your brain drowns in GABA, you will experience slurred speech, stumbling, fatigue, and other drunk behavior. High consumption and withdrawing from alcohol abuse may trigger seizures due to certain symptoms. There are 3 common alcohol seizure triggers you should keep in mind during your recovery.
Family History
If your family has a history of seizure disorders, you may be at a higher risk of suffering a seizure due to alcohol withdrawal.
Drop in Blood Sugar Due to Binge Drinking
Besides liver damage, binge drinking can cause a drop in your blood sugar that triggers seizures.
Alcohol Allergy
If you blush or suffer other similar reactions to alcohol consumption, you may be allergic to the substance. Severe allergic reactions may trigger a seizure.
If you or your loved one exhibit seizure symptoms, you must seek medical attention immediately. These seizures can damage your brain and cause long term health conditions.
The Bottom Line
You or your loved one may not want to seek medical help. Yet, you should consider talking to a health professional before quitting alcohol.
They can suggest the best treatment and approach to your alcohol addiction. Also, health professionals can help you cope with your alcohol seizure symptoms and even prevent epileptic episodes.
Stopping or reducing your alcohol consumption is only one way to start living your best life. It’s recommended to take a complete approach to improve your lifestyle. Want to learn how to live a healthier life?
Check out our Health section for more insightful articles.
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