Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium (AWD), maybe more commonly known as Delirium Tremens (DTs), could be the most severe and potentially life threatening form of alcohol withdrawal:

DTs is a Medical Emergency that Requires Immediate Evaluation, and Treatment, typically in a Hospital.

Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium (AWD), maybe more commonly known as Delirium Tremens (DTs), could be the most severe and potentially life threatening form of alcohol withdrawal. It occurs in some people who have been drinking heavily and regularly for a prolonged period and then suddenly stop or significantly reduce their alcohol consumption.

Why Does It Occur?

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. With chronic heavy alcohol use, the body may adapts by increasing excitatory activity to compensate for alcohol’s depressant effects. When alcohol is suddenly removed, the mind may become overactive, leading to possible, widespread neurological and autonomic dysfunction. CONSULT WITH A NEUROLOGIST.

Major Symptoms of Delirium Tremens

CONSULT WITH A NEUROLOGIST.

Cognitive Symptoms

Severe confusion

Disorientation to time or place

Difficulty sustaining attention

Impaired memory

Fluctuating level of consciousness

Psychological Symptoms

Extreme agitation

Intense anxiety

Panic

Irritability

Fearfulness

Hallucinations

Commonly include:

Visual hallucinations (often vivid)

Seeing insects, spiders, or animals (“formication” may include the sensation of insects crawling on the skin)

Auditory hallucinations

Tactile hallucinations

Unlike alcohol induced psychotic disorder, hallucinations in DTs occur alongside delirium, meaning the person’s awareness and thinking are significantly impaired. CONSULT WITH A NEUROLOGIST.

Autonomic (Physical) Symptoms

DTs is a medical emergency that requires immediate evaluation and treatment, typically in a hospital.

These symptoms reflect a state of sympathetic nervous system overactivity.

Risk Factors

DTs is a medical emergency that requires immediate

evaluation and treatment, typically in a hospital.

People maybe at higher risk if they have:

A long history of heavy alcohol use

Previous episodes of alcohol withdrawal or DTs

Previous withdrawal seizures

Older age

Coexisting medical illness

Chronic disease

Electrolyte abnormalities

Malnutrition (especially thiamine deficiency)

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Possible Complications

DTs is a medical emergency that requires immediate evaluation and treatment, typically in a hospital.

Without treatment, DTs may lead to very serious medical consquences: Historically, mortality exceeded. With modern hospital treatment, mortality may have improved, though the condition may remain very dangerous.

Diagnosis
DTs is a medical emergency that requires immediate evaluation and treatment, typically in a hospital.

Diagnosis maybe based primarily on: History of heavy alcohol use

Timing of symptom onset after stopping or reducing alcohol

Clinical examination showing delirium and autonomic instability

Healthcare providers also evaluate for other potential causes of altered mental status, other serious medical issues, and medication effects. CONSULT WITH A MEDICAL DOCTOR

Treatment

Treatment may, usually occurs in a hospital and focuses on stabilizing the person and preventing complications.

CONSULT WITH A MEDICAL DOCTOR

Prevention

People at risk of severe alcohol withdrawal should not attempt to stop drinking abruptly without medical guidance. A medically supervised withdrawal (“detox”) allows clinicians to monitor symptoms and provide medications that greatly reduce the risk of seizures and delirium tremens.

CONSULT WITH A MEDICAL DOCTOR

Prognosis: CONSULT WITH A MEDICAL DOCTOR

With prompt recognition and appropriate medical care, most people recover fully from Delirium Tremens. However, untreated DTs can progress rapidly and become fatal. Early treatment also provides an opportunity to begin long term care for alcohol use disorder, may help reduce the risk of future withdrawal episodes.

Key Point

Delirium Tremens may not simply be feeling shaky after stopping alcohol. It is a severe medical issue that could be characterized by confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, marked autonomic instability (CONSULT WITH A MEDICAL DOCTOR), and a risk of seizures and death. It is one of the most serious complications of alcohol withdrawal and should always be treated as a medical emergency, ASAP.

DTs is a medical emergency that requires immediate evaluation and treatment, typically in a hospital.

Shervan K Shahhian