Delirium (delirium tremens, alcohol delirium, delirium tremens) is a disturbance of consciousness that accompanies sudden alcohol cessation. When can we speak of delirium tremens? What are the symptoms of alcohol delirium and how to deal with them?
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TL;DR
Delirium tremens (alcohol delirium) is the most severe form of withdrawal syndrome, appearing after sudden cessation of drinking in dependent individuals. It manifests through consciousness disturbances, hallucinations, delusions, aggression, temperature increase, muscle tremors, and loss of orientation. Affects about 20% of people struggling with alcoholism, most often men over 25 years old, especially those with long-term addiction or other diseases. First symptoms appear 2–3 days after alcohol cessation and can last up to a week. Treatment of delirium tremens requires hospitalization, electrolyte and vitamin supplementation, and pharmacological support. An effective method of preventing relapses is comprehensive addiction therapy and alcohol detox.Impact of Long-Term Alcohol Abuse on Brain Function
Already over 37% of people dependent on alcohol suffer from severe mental disorders, which include not only depression or anxiety states, but also disorders caused by brain damage. Alcohol is toxic not only to the liver or pancreas, it also has a huge impact on the proper functioning of the brain and the entire nervous system. Its long-term and excessive abuse leads to irreversible neurological changes. These disorders also progress due to deficiencies of important nutrients that have been washed out by alcohol. Also read: What is alcoholic polyneuropathy?What is Alcohol Delirium?
Alcohol delirium is a condition characterized by sudden changes in mental state. It is the most severe type of withdrawal syndrome. Alcohol delirium occurs as a result of sudden alcohol cessation, i.e., interruption of the so-called binge drinking. Chronic alcohol abuse causes the body to quickly become accustomed to its presence. Sudden alcohol cessation leads to dysregulation in the nervous system. This in turn contributes to the development of delirium tremens. Use Our Services:"Alcoholic Delirium Tremens" – Who Is at Risk?
Delirium occurs as a result of alcohol cessation by an alcoholic after several days of being in a state of alcohol intoxication. Studies show that alcohol delirium does not occur in all people struggling with alcohol disease. It is estimated that delirium tremens appears in 20% of people who abuse alcohol. Alcohol delirium appears after at least several years of alcohol abuse and most often occurs in people over the age of twenty-five. This form of withdrawal syndrome significantly more often affects men than women. Who is particularly at risk of developing alcoholic delirium tremens?- dependent individuals who have recently completely given up drinking alcohol
- people who have already experienced delirium tremens
- people with serious systemic diseases.
Delirium Tremens – Symptoms
Alcohol delirium (delirium tremens) affects people dependent on alcohol who have undertaken the fight against alcohol disease. Symptoms accompanying delirium are primarily a state of consciousness disturbance and allopsychic orientation disturbances (lack of orientation in place and time). The patient cannot determine where they are located nor give the date or time. Sometimes they are also unable to recognize themselves or say their name. In case of sudden alcohol cessation, one can observe tremulous delirium, muscle tremors, as well as psychomotor agitation or accelerated heartbeat. Delirium tremens is also characterized by mental disorders – visual hallucinations, auditory hallucinations, or mood swings. These ailments are very unpleasant because they cause hallucinations and delusions as well as hearing non-existent sounds. Other symptoms of delirium include increased sensitivity to external stimuli and difficult contact with the external world. The patient has weakened concentration and slowed thinking. They also show difficulties in constructing logical sentences and cannot answer simple questions. Characteristic symptoms of delirium tremens also include: aggression, body temperature increase, increased sweating, and blood pressure.How Does Alcohol Delirium Progress?
The first symptoms of delirium tremens begin to appear about 2-3 days after cessation of drinking. They are most often preceded by intensification of withdrawal syndrome symptoms. On the second evening or third day, sleep problems may appear, and on the next day, delirium develops completely. The patient becomes very irritable and may behave irrationally – flee from danger known only to them, attack people from the immediate environment, or self-harm. Hallucinations and auditory delusions also often occur.Alcohol Delirium – How Long Does It Last?
Alcohol delirium appears 1-3 days after alcohol cessation and subsides on average after about a week. In some cases, the prolonged severe condition of the patient may be caused by other mental or somatic disorders. In such situations, thorough diagnostics are required so that these ailments do not further threaten the patient's life. Also read: Can a diabetic drink alcohol?Alcohol Delirium – What to Do?
A patient who shows symptoms of delirium tremens may, over time, be a threat not only to themselves but also to their immediate surroundings. It is very important in such a situation to surround the sick person with proper care and contact a doctor who will inform what steps should be taken. It is worth ensuring that a person with delirium symptoms regularly consumes water, as dehydration can contribute to the intensification of alcohol delirium symptoms.How to Treat Delirium Tremens?
Alcohol delirium symptoms are very often associated with life-threatening conditions, therefore alcoholic delirium tremens requires treatment in hospital conditions. It is important to conduct laboratory tests that will determine whether there has been a decrease in glucose levels and whether electrolyte deficiency compensation is needed. The next stage of delirium tremens treatment is the implementation of appropriate pharmacological treatment, which consists of alleviating symptoms. People who have developed delirium tremens are recommended to receive electrolytes and necessary minerals, as well as supplementation of B vitamins. The best way to overcome alcohol delirium and fight alcohol disease is to use comprehensive addiction therapy, which with the help of alcohol detox will allow coping with sudden alcohol cessation and help maintain lasting abstinence.:::cta Need help fighting addiction? Our specialists are ready to help. Call or schedule an online appointment. Call: 880 808 880 | Schedule appointment :::
