Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are the body’s reaction to the depletion of ethyl-alcohol levels within the blood. Withdrawal symptoms can range from slight discomfort, such as; thirst, irritability and headache (mild hangover) to severe physiological and psychological trauma, such as; delirium tremens (DT’s), suicidal ideations, seizure, retching, involuntary bowel movements, profuse sweating and confusion.
What are DT’s?
DT’s otherwise known as delirium tremens are a set of alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually experienced by only the worst of alcoholics. Severe alcohol withdrawal that initiates delirium tremens places the alcoholic into a confused mental state and debilitated physical condition. Symptoms usually include profuse sweating, hallucinations, uncontrolled bowel movements and body tremors.
Kindling Phenomenon?
Repeated alcohol detoxifications with significant alcohol withdrawal symptoms, produce an effect known as the “Kindling phenomenon.” It is both a physiological and psychological phenomenon whereby each additional alcohol detoxification will increase the severity of all subsequent alcohol detoxifications. It simply means that the gravity of symptoms from alcohol withdrawal will get worse over time. In addition each drunk will increase the craving to drink. Approximately 5% of the alcohol consumers experience “Kindling Phenomenon” in their daily lives. This subset of alcohol users account for almost 50% of all the alcohol consumed in the United States.
Central Nervous System Damage from Alcohol Abuse
Repeated alcohol withdrawal causes incredible stress to the body which in turn stimulates the HPA axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal) causing the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. Elevated cortisol levels are linked to immune deficiency and changes to neurons within the hippocampus; the area of the brain responsible for memory and mood control.
Changes to Central Nervous System (CNS) neurons due to alcohol toxicity, nutritional deficiency, dehydration, alcohol withdrawal and elevated cortisol levels are all linked to personality changes that include; mood disorders, memory loss, obsessive thinking, anxious feelings and compulsive behaviors.Alcohol withdrawal symptoms produce both physiological and psychological changes to the body and mind, respectively. Those changes and their respective symptoms are categorized under the heading Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome.
Conclusion
An alcoholic only has a drinking problem when they’re drinking alcohol. When they are not drinking is when the real problem is revealed. They have a “thinking” problem that lets them forget how bad alcohol has been to their relationships, finances and health..
Many alcoholics experience mood swings that have become legendary within their own family or worse with local law enforcement. The link between the physical abnormalities related to alcohol abuse and subsequent psychological disorders are very clear.
To learn more Search: Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, OBS (Organic Brain Syndrome), Cushing’s Syndrome, cerebral edema, wet brain, beriberis, kindling phenomenon and confabulation.
