Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are a set of physical and mental reactions to the depletion of ethyl-alcohol blood concentrations.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms range from slight discomfort to severe physical and mental trauma.

Minor Discomfort (Hangover)

• Dehydration
• Irritable
• Agitation
• Headache
• Light Sensitivity
• Mild Nausea

Severe Physical and Cognitive Trauma (Alcohol Abstinence Syndrome)

• DTs (Delirium Tremens or "The Shakes")
• Seizures
• Heaving
• Throwing Up
• Diarrhea
• Acute Dehydration
• Heavy Perspiration
• Depression
• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Suicidal Thinking
• Hallucinations (Hearing or Visual)

What are DTs?

DTs is an acronym for Delirium Tremens. DTs are a set of alcohol withdrawal symptoms experienced by alcoholics who are physically dependent on alcohol. Sometimes called "Alcohol Abstinence Syndrome", DTs can produce severe confusion, trembling hands,visual and auditory hallucinations.

Other names for DTs are; delirium tremens, the rats, the shakes, trembling madness, shaking delirium, jitterbugs, the abdabs, the horrors, the fear and the jimjams.

Common Symptoms of Delirium Tremens

• Excessive Sweating
• Body Tremors
• High Pulse Rate
• Visual Hallucinations
• Confusion
• Sudden Feelings of Terror

Central Nervous System Damage Related to Alcohol Abuse

Repeated alcohol withdrawal causes stress to the body. Repeated alcohol consumption also causes stress to the body. Both types of stress can cause activation of the HPA Axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal) causing the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. Elevated cortisol levels are linked to immune deficiency and changes to neurons within the hippocampus; the area of the brain responsible for memory and mood control.

Kindling phenomenon is when the intensity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms increases with each subsequent withdrawal experience. This means that once an alcoholic experiences the initial alcohol related seizure, the likelihood of experiencing a second seizure is much higher than it was the first time.

Kindling phenomenon is an indication of damage to the brain. In order to avoid experiencing kindling phenomenon, any person experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms regardless of the intensity should take appropriate measures to minimize withdrawal symptoms.

Major Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms