Sunday 31 January 2016

THE SCIENCE BEHIND ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL- facts simplified

Alcohol Withdrawal symptoms are classical sequelae of symptoms dependent on the amount of alcohol consumed within a specific period of time and previous history of alcohol withdrawal. These symptoms precedes an attempt to reduce or stop alcohol intake after a long period of drinking. Binge drinkers often develop alcohol dependency and are at higher risk of severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Regular alcohol intake which is large in amount and for longer period of time may cause alcohol tolerance and dependency. People who have developed alcohol tolerance and dependency may willingly decide to forego drinking in order to mitigate their nuisance drinking behavior. In the advent of mitigating tolerance and dependency, they may experience withdrawal symptoms and may prompt them to engage in drinking alcohol again. Any failed attempt of alcohol abstinence or reduction will make future withdrawal symptoms more severe. This situation is called kindling.

CAUSES OF ALCOHOLIC WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS

Long standing alcoholics have an altered function of the brain messengers. Alcohol is an hypnotic, it functions to promote the inhibitory effect of a brain neurotransmitter called Gamma Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) which produces feeling of relaxation. As an individual continues to consume alcohol, the ability of alcohol to promote the effect of GABA is suppressed gradually. This calls for much more alcoholic beverage to produce the same feeling of relaxation. This is called tolerance.

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When an individual stops or reduces alcohol intake, the brain neurotransmitter which had been suppressed by alcohol is no longer suppressed and it produces negative exaggerated effect to the brain causing hyper-excitability of the nervous system.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms occur 6-12 hours after cessation of alcohol ingestion.  They are characterized by:-
  • Anxiety
  • Headache
  • Reduced cognitive function.
  • General body weakness
  • Dry lips and tongue
  • Drowsiness.
  • Feeling thirsty frequently.
  • Epigastric pain.
  • Nausea.
Under certain circumstances an individual may have a protracted withdrawal symptoms which may be commonly characterized by craving desire for alcohol and lack of sleep at night.

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References.
Alc & alc
http:/m.alcalc.oxfoldjournal.org/content/47/3/248

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/alcohol_withdrawal_syndrome
modified on 8/12/2014
viewed on 6/02/2015

Inpatient management of alcohol withdrawal: a practicl approach-Signa Vitae
By Shiven B. Chabria 2008; 3(1): 24-29