Alcohol-induced seizure occurs if there is excessive and rapid consumption of alcohol and sudden withdrawal. This type of seizure tends to occur at 12-48 hours after withdrawal from alcohol but refraining from alcohol even for 2 days in some cases can trigger the seizures.
The condition is quite common among individuals who have been alcoholic for a long time. There might be a single incidence or brief episode of the seizure in a specific period.
Indications of an alcohol-induced seizure
The usual indications of an alcohol-induced seizure include the following:
- Nausea
- Elevated heart rate
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Vomiting
- Tremors
The condition is quite common among individuals who have been alcoholic for a long time. - Headache
- Irritability
- Insomnia
What are the possible causes?
The main cause of alcohol-induced seizure is continuous drinking of alcoholic beverages for an extended period that disrupts with the neurotransmitters in the brain.
Extended periods of drinking that is followed by abrupt withdrawal can lead to hyperexcitability of the brain which results to symptoms such as agitation, irritability and tremors.
Management
The treatment for alcohol-induced syndrome is based on the severity of the conditions. If the symptoms are mild, outpatient treatment is usually enough which requires support from family members and detoxification of the individual.
If the individual is pregnant or suffers from chronic alcoholism or no dependable support from family, treatment in a healthcare facility is vital which focuses on the following:
- Minimizing any immediate symptoms
- Preventing any possible complications
- Promote abstinence from alcohol with the help of therapy
There are also medications that are usually prescribed by the doctor to manage the symptoms such as:
- Benzodiazepines – these medications work by controlling anxiety and shakiness due to withdrawal
- Antipsychotic drugs – these drugs are given along with benzodiazepines to alleviate irritability, hallucinations and agitation
- Beta-blockers – these are given to manage heart-related symptoms due to withdrawal such as high blood pressure and elevated heart rate
Disclaimer / More Information
The information posted on this page on an alcohol-induced seizure is for learning and educational purposes only. To learn to properly manage seizures, register for first aid training at one of our training centers located throughout Canada. The training centers are in Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Vancouver, Kelowna, Surrey, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax.