Alcohol withdrawal is actually the brain’s reaction to depletion of ethyl-alcohol levels within the brain. Alcohol withdrawal produces both physiological and psychological symptoms in response to this depletion. The symptoms can range from slight discomfort, such as; thirst, irritability and headache (mild hangover) to severe distress, such as; delirium tremens (DT’s) and suicidal ideations. Repeated alcohol detox with associated alcohol withdrawal symptoms, produce an effect known as the “Kindling phenomenon.” This phenomenon states that each additional alcohol detox will increase the severity of all subsequent alcohol withdrawals. In addition each drunk will increase the desire to drink and the frequency of drinking. Approximately 5% of the alcohol drinking population experience “Kindling Phenomenon” in their daily lives. This subset of the drinking population account for approximately 50% of all alcohol consumed.

It is believed that repeated alcohol detoxifications and the associated stress to the body stimulate the HPA axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal) causing the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. Elevated cortisol is linked to immune deficiency and changes to neurons within the hippocampus; the area of the brain responsible for memory and mood control. In addition, excessive alcohol consumption producing a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) in excess of 0.1 has also been shown to increase cortisol levels. The 0.1 BAC is where most people start to have adverse physiological reactions, one of which is increased cortisol. Not only does drinking elevate cortisol but cortisol increases the effect produced by alcohol. This effect is known as a “synergistic effect.”

Changes to neurons from a combination of poor diet, alcohol consumption, alcohol detox, alcohol withdrawal and subsequent elevated cortisol are all linked to personality changes to include; mood disorders, memory loss, obsessive thinking, anxious feelings and compulsive behaviors such as alcohol consumption. So the point here is that drinking creates elevated cortisol and cortisol stimulates “thoughts” of drinking (Catch 22) because the mind remembers when cortisol levels are elevated a drink would really ”do the trick.”

In addition, the stress associated with alcohol withdrawal stimulates cortisol production. Elevated cortisol stimulates the subconscious mind to think about drinking, again because the mind remembers that a drink right now would be very effective. This is why proper alcohol detox with experienced and knowledgeable staff is so very important. The thoughts (psychological) of drinking create anxiety in addition to the anxiety created by the body (physiological) going through the withdrawal process. Does that sound like a recipe for disaster? Well it is and that is why so many alcohol abusers become alcohol dependent over time. They self-medicate and relapse. An alcoholic only has a drinking problem when they’re drinking. 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. They become overwhelmed by life’s daily struggles. They feel helpless to fix their problems. They are confused on which front they should begin to get their lives back. They eventually get what is known in Rehab jargon as the “F--- Its.” Add to that the damage to the hippocampus, remember this is part of the brain that regulates memory and mood control. With a damaged hippocampus a person may hardly remember why they wanted to stop drinking in the first place. Many alcoholics have 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. The only answer we endorse is total abstinence.

To learn more Search: Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, OBS (Organic Brain Syndrome), Cushing’s Syndrome, cerebral edema, wet brain, beriberis, kindling phenomenon and confabulation.

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.

Above are the lists of physiological and psychological symptoms linked directly with discontinuation of alcohol consumption and subsequent alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It should be noted that after years of alcohol abuse, repeated alcohol detox and subsequent alcohol withdrawals a major personality change will often occur. The only answer we endorse is total abstinence.