How do people get seizures from alcohol withdrawals? Seizures are the intense jerkiness of the body accompanied by loss of consciousness. When someone is highly addicted to alcohol and plans to go for detoxification and choose to live a sober life, these people like to get alcohol withdrawals.
One may have alcohol withdrawal symptoms like nausea and vomiting, high blood pressure, increased heart rate, hallucination, and many more. But not necessarily. They get seizures. Seizures are uncommon symptoms, and roughly 5% of people get them.
In case someone gets seizures, then they need to be more cautious. It is the intense form and indicates the onset of delirium tremens in a short time. Delirium tremens is the severest form which is life-threatening as well. People need immediate medical intervention. Some of the symptoms of DT are:
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Coma and Death
- Seeing things that are not present around
- Hallucinations
- Unable to think clearly
- Intense tremors
- Visual disturbances
- Auditory disturbances
Preventing alcohol withdrawal seizures
Can one prevent alcohol withdrawal seizures? Yes, they are very much manageable, but it requires dedicated effort from the patient. They have to learn to manage their lifestyle. People can start the treatment by consulting the best rehab center near them.
As seizures are life-threatening, it is advisable to go under treatment only under medical supervision.
Cutting back on alcohol
It is the primary step in avoiding seizures from alcohol withdrawals. If someone wants the most negligible impact on their life from alcohol, they should start reducing their alcohol intake. The best way is tapering down the glass of drink.
People need to observe if they are still getting withdrawals. If yes, then they need to consult the specialist immediately. For example, if someone is taking three glasses a day, first they need to reduce to two drinks, and after adjusting to the dose, they need to reduce to one glass.
Detoxification and Residential treatment
What is detoxification? Detoxification is the process of removing alcohol from the body. This process needs the attention of medical supervision as there are chances that one may get intense withdrawal symptoms.
Suppose someone is abusing alcohol for a long time, in large quantities, or mixing it with other substances. In that case, they may need residential treatment where they may need to spend a few weeks or months at the rehabilitation center.
Staying at the rehab center is not the cause of worry as it ensures better and complete recovery. Also, during this phase, people may need close monitoring to ensure they are out of any complications.
Medications
Medicines have a significant role to play in treating seizures. Some medicines, like benzodiazepine, help in controlling seizures. Sometimes, the specialist may prescribe medication to ease other symptoms like high blood pressure, anxiety, and depression and prevent relapses.
Group Therapies and other classes of therapies
If someone is already facing anxiety or depression issues, then it is very likely that they will get seizures from alcohol withdrawal. To help people deal with anxieties and other mental health issues, the specialist will put them under different therapies so that they learn to manage their negative emotions.
These therapies aim to help people know what issues trigger mental health problems. Sometimes, people abuse alcohol to self-medicate, which starts with seizure issues.
But effectively dealing with mental health issues can improve people's lives, and they can live sober lives.
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