How Can Alcohol Withdrawal Kill You?

There is a 37% mortality rate if alcohol withdrawal remains untreated or is not treated appropriately. It is common knowledge that alcohol is dangerous, but can alcohol withdrawal kill you? The answer is yes. There are multiple complications when it comes to alcohol withdrawal, including:

• Delirium tremens
• Seizures
• Wernicke encephalopathy

Alcohol is the most commonly abused addictive substance in the US, according to NCADD. It is vital to know how can alcohol withdrawal kill you. This article illustrates the importance of appropriate AUD treatment. 

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Things to Know About Alcohol Use Disorder

The basics: Alcohol is a central nervous depressant, which means that it can ease negative feelings like anxiety or stress. It works on the brain’s reward system, releasing happy hormones like dopamine and serotonin.

Busting Myths: Our liver is responsible for metabolizing alcohol. When the liver is overwhelmed, it allows alcohol to keep running in the blood, affecting multiple organs, including the brain. Nothing can accelerate the liver’s ability to metabolize it. 

Amount of Alcohol: Too much alcohol can result in severe withdrawal, which is deadly. In fact, no amount is considered safe for the human body. Withdrawal from alcohol can be risky. Even with professional monitoring, the risk still looms over the patient if withdrawal symptoms are acute.

How Can Alcohol Withdrawal Kill You?

Yes, there is a strong possibility that after chronic alcohol use, withdrawals can be so severe that they result in a person’s demise. Alcohol hijacks a person’s brain. The brain is also a creature of habit. After a while, It starts depending on alcohol to function in a certain way. 

Serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms are explained below. 

Alcohol Seizures

Seizures are a severe and fatal problem for patients with epilepsy and alcohol withdrawal. Almost one-third of patients undergoing withdrawal are likely to experience seizures. These dangerous seizures are also known as “rum fits.” 

Alcohol seizures usually occur within 6 to 48 hours after sudden cessation of alcohol consumption.

Facts about alcohol-induced fits include:

• The fits occurring from alcohol happen in a location different than seizures caused by other conditions
• Working of alcohol-induced seizures is also different than the ones caused by genetics or injuries. 

It is vital to understand that non-medical personnel cannot handle these complications. Only timely medical intervention can prevent seizures from becoming fatal for a person. 

Delirium Tremens

Delirium tremens (DTs) are the most acute form of alcohol withdrawal. (DTs) are a severe condition that happens to people who have been heavily drinking alcohol for many years. This condition starts 1 to 4 days after they suddenly stop drinking. 

Tremens are characterized by the following symptoms:

• Disorientation
• Hallucinations
• Agitation
• Extreme spike in blood pressure
• Tremors
• Chest pain
• Unconsciousness
• Excessive sweating
• Sleeping for a whole day or more

Delirium tremens more commonly occur among people with a moderate to severe alcohol use disorder. Up to 5% of individuals are likely to die from DTs. However, the risk of death can be minimized with the help of professional help.

DT can be difficult to diagnose due to the following reasons:

• Presence of other co-occurring conditions
• Lack of important nutrients within the blood
• Certain infections

It is highly recommended never to go cold turkey on alcohol if you have been using it for years. It is best to avoid DTs under the supervision of medical professionals.  

Timeline of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Wernicke Encephalopathy

Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a neurological condition that is a result of alcohol-induced brain injury. Less than 5% of individuals displaying signs of WE can develop a highly decreased level of consciousness that may result in coma or death. It is a dangerous condition characterized by:

• Paralysis of eye muscle
• Altered mental state
• Delirium
• Low blood pressure
• Confusion
• Uncoordinated and involuntary movements

Chronic alcohol use can result in a deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine), a nutrient essential for the human body. The causes of B1 deficiency include:

• Poor diet
• Poor gut absorption
• Malnutrition
• AIDS
• Cancer

WE is considered a medical emergency that can result in death if not treated in time. While it can happen because of chronic alcohol use, it is also induced during alcohol withdrawal. It is very important to get help from addiction rehabs for AUD treatment. WE is one aspect of B1 deficiency. When coupled with memory disorder (Korsakoff syndrome), it is called Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (also known as wet brain syndrome).

Korsakoff’s Syndrome (KS)

Another complication of alcohol withdrawal is memory disorder. It is also caused by nutritional deficiency, primarily the depletion of vitamin B1. While KS does not directly have a link with alcohol withdrawal, patients do exhibit signs during withdrawal. The symptoms of this syndrome include:

• Acute amnesia
• Inability to store new memories despite having new experiences
• Having other intellectual capabilities intact (other than memory)
• Creating imaginary experiences to fill in the gaps for actual lost memories
• Lack of enthusiasm

When it comes to chronic alcohol use, KS is usually coupled with Wernicke’s encephalopathy. While KS can occur due to other health complications, WE rarely exists outside of alcohol complications. 

Depression and Suicide During Alcohol Withdrawal

Depression often coincides with alcohol use. It can persist during the process of detox. Literature suggests that as much as 15% of alcohol patients are at risk of suicide. The risk level may increase if no medical help is available for the patients.

Call an alcohol hotline or a rehab ASAP if you are hallucinating, having delirium, or just feeling awful due to alcohol. You may contact us at 844.445.2565 or fill in this form to seek treatment.

Free Addiction Assessment

Please note this assessment is an initial self-screening, and it is not meant to be a medical assessment or clinical diagnosis of addiction. For proper diagnosis and treatment, schedule an appointment with ChoicePoint.

Seeking Safe Solution for Alcohol Abuse

Detoxing under a certified medical staff is the safest course to take when it comes to alcohol withdrawal. Initially, when a person stops drinking, things seem to be in control. However, severe withdrawal may occur after  48 to 72 hours. Follow the effective treatment plan:

• Medical detox
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
• Therapy for psychological withdrawal
• Aftercare

About ChoicePoint: Fighting Alcohol Epidemic Together

ChoicePoint is a New Jersey-based addiction rehab offering a variety of treatments from detox to aftercare. To counter alcohol use disorder, we offer FDA-approved treatments. Medications for the treatment of AUD include:

• Naltrexone
• Disulfiram
• Acamprosate

Our treatment formats are:

• Inpatient Setting
• Intensive-Outpatient Setting
• Partial Addiction Care/Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

Other than accepting insurance, we are also affiliated with nursing homes. We often get referrals from different sources in Bergen County. Call 844.445.2565 or enter your information here for insurance-covered alcohol treatment. Medicaid and Medicare are also entertained at our rehab. 

Short Answer to How Can Alcohol Withdrawal Kill You

There are many ways in which alcohol withdrawal can prove to be a ruthless killer. Common alcohol-induced complications include seizures, delirium tremens, Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, and depression and anxiety. Some of the said conditions kill directly, while others can lead to complications resulting in coma or death. A safe way to treat yourself is by seeking help from medical professionals.

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Question Answer Section

Other FAQs regarding dangerous alcohol withdrawal symptoms are explained below.

What Is the Most Serious Withdrawal Symptom Associated With Alcoholism?

Most severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms include delirium tremens, seizures, and hallucinations. Other common symptoms include mood swings, anxiety, and restlessness.

What Happens to Your Brain When You Give up Alcohol?

When alcohol is suddenly stopped, the brain stops functioning normally due to its alcohol dependence. You may start forgetting things, feel irritable and restless, and in cases of chronic alcoholism, cognitive and motor functions may get impaired. 

Is No Amount of Alcohol Safe?

Initially, the safe amount for men was 2 drinks per day and 1 drink per day for women. However, current studies suggest that no amount of alcohol is safe. The lesser, the better. 

Which Medicine Is Bad to Mix With Alcohol?

Medications to avoid with alcohol:

• Pain medications (opioids)
• Antidepressants
• Certain antibiotics
• Benzodiazepines and other sedatives
• Antihistamines
• Sleeping pills

To avoid side effects, it is better to check in with your doctor before taking any medication when on alcohol.

What Is the Only Thing That Eliminates Alcohol From the Body?

There is no magic potion that will eliminate alcohol from your body. Medical detox is the only safe way to eradicate alcohol toxins from the body gradually as the liver metabolizes them. It takes time, along with abstinence. 

What Part of the Body Is Worst Affected by Alcohol?

While alcohol affects most of the body parts, including the brain, liver, and heart, the liver is the one part of the body that is badly affected. Chronic alcohol use can lead to several liver complications, including hepatitis and fatty liver. 

Sources

1. Rahman, A., & Paul, M. (2018, November 18). Delirium Tremens (DT). Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing.
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482134/
2. n.d.). FAQs/Facts On Alcoholism and Drug Dependence [Review of FAQs/Facts On Alcoholism and Drug Dependence]. Montana Edu; NCADD. https://www.montana.edu/oha/insight/MIP%20take%20home%20fact%20sheet%202.pdf
3. Rogawski, M. A. (2005). Update on the Neurobiology of Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures. Epilepsy Currents, 5(6), 225–230.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1535-7511.2005.00071.x
4. Trevisan, L. A., Boutros, N., Petrakis, I. L., & Krystal, J. H. (1998). Complications of Alcohol Withdrawal. Alcohol Health and Research World, 22(1), 61–66. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6761825/#:~:text=Symptoms%20of%20Korsakoff
5. Vasan, S., & Kumar, A. (2018, November 14). Wernicke Encephalopathy. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470344/
6. Trevisan, L. A., Boutros, N., Petrakis, I. L., & Krystal, J. H. (1998). Complications of Alcohol Withdrawal. Alcohol Health and Research World, 22(1), 61–66. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6761825/#:~:text=Symptoms%20of%20Korsakoff