Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium

Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium

Alcoholism is a dangerous disease that can greatly affect a person’s health and life. Aside from the critical health conditions that can result from alcohol abuse, around 50 percent of people who have an alcohol addiction will experience severe withdrawal symptoms. Of those people, 3 to 5 percent will struggle from alcohol withdrawal delirium.1 In our luxury detox program, we can help individuals begin their recovery from alcohol abuse in a safe and comfortable environment. 

What Causes Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium?

Alcohol withdrawal delirium, also known as delirium tremens, affects people who heavily abuse alcohol. People who have a long history of heavy drinking, alcohol withdrawal, and seizure disorders are at higher risk of experiencing this condition. 

Delirium tremens can occur when the individual:

  • Abruptly stops drinking alcohol
  • Doesn’t eat enough while they’re reducing the amount of alcohol they drink
  • Experiences a head injury
  • Develops a cold, flu, or an infection

Alcohol delirium is an uncomfortable condition that can lead to permanent health defects. To avoid delirium tremens and its dangers, people can get the proper treatment at our luxury rehab facility in Palm Beach

Alcohol Delirium Symptoms

Overconsumption of alcohol irritates the nervous system and leads to addiction. This dependency on alcohol suppresses the neurotransmitters that your brain sends to your body. If a person suddenly stops drinking alcohol completely, these chemicals that have become accustomed to working hard to send signals to the body go into overdrive and overwhelm the nervous system. 

Hallucinations from alcohol detox are common and can interfere with a person’s mental health as well as their body. Alcohol withdrawal delirium itself can last for several days, but its symptoms, like hallucinations, can drag on for nearly a week. 

Some of these symptoms include:

  • Irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Chest pains
  • Confusion
  • Stomach pain
  • Headache
  • Delirium 
  • Muscle spasms 
  • Fatigue
  • Paranoia
  • Fever
  • Delusions
  • Hallucinations 
  • Increased heart rate 
  • Nausea
  • Nightmares
  • Restlessness
  • Seizures
  • Sensitivity to light, sound, or touch
  • Mood swings

Most of these symptoms will occur within the first few hours after the person has last consumed alcohol. These symptoms gradually become more uncomfortable, and eventually the hallucinations kick in.

Several kinds of delirium tremens hallucinations include:3

  • Tactile hallucinations (produce physical symptoms that aren’t real) 
  • Visual hallucinations (produce sightings that aren’t real) 
  • Auditory hallucinations (produce sounds that aren’t real)

All of these types of hallucinations vary depending on the person. Even so, they can all be terrifying and can cause the person to act out dangerously and risk their safety and the safety of others in an attempt to escape from their fears. 

Alcohol withdrawal delirium is a serious condition that can cause uncomfortable side effects. These can be life-threatening and can even result in permanent damage. People struggling with alcohol addiction can avoid the consequences of delirium tremens by seeking assistance in our luxury residential rehab

At Seaside Palm Beach, we understand the need for proper treatment in order to avoid and combat the symptoms of alcohol addiction and withdrawal. We provide various programs to meet the needs of each patient and give them the ability to heal on several levels. 

You do not have to live with addiction. Find out how you or a loved one can get help today by calling us at 561-677-9374

Sources:

  1. NEJM- Recognition and Management of Withdrawal Delirium (Delirium Tremens)
  2. NCBI- Alcohol Dependence, Withdrawal, and Relapse
  3. NCBI- Alcoholic hallucinosis

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