Seizures can be a severe side-effect of alcohol dependence where patients are physically dependent on the substance to the point of experiencing withdrawal symptoms without it. A seizure or convulsion is a phenomenon whereby a person experiences a behavioral change due to an irregular or unusual brain electrical activity. As a result, the individual can suffer from arm and leg jerking and stiffening as well as a change in consciousness.
How much alcohol can you safely drink?
There is, unfortunately, no identifiable limit or the extent of time it takes for seizures to start being a concern. However, the longer you’ve been drinking alcohol and the more your tolerance level is to the substance, the more the chances are that you’re going to experience an episode during alcohol withdrawal.
Alcohol withdrawal is dangerous and can cost your life if you’re not careful or don’t take the necessary precautions. It’s important that you seek care and treatment for alcoholism if you suspect that you might be heading in the wrong direction with alcohol.
Detailed symptoms of alcohol withdrawal
While you may not experience all of these symptoms, it’s important to keep them in mind for a thorough recovery or to help someone in this phase. The intensity and seriousness of the symptoms will depend on how long you’ve been drinking and the quantity you’ve drank throughout this time.
1. Mild symptoms
You start experiencing mild symptoms around 6 hours after your last intake of ethanol. This is where you might experience anxiety, nausea and vomiting, sweating, tremors, headache, and insomnia.
2. Serious symptoms
After 12 to 48 hours have passed, you might experience more serious symptoms that might require you to be hospitalized. These include hallucinations and seizures.
3. Delirium Tremens
These occur 48 to 72 hours after your last drink and are the most severe symptoms that you can experience. They include delusions as well as strong hallucinations, but they are experienced by only a small fraction of the people experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Along with these symptoms, you are also likely to experience a racing heart, fever, confusion, high blood pressure, and sweating.
Treatment
Luckily, as science and medicine begin to understand the process of alcohol withdrawal and all the symptoms that accompany it, doctors and rehabilitation centers are more adept at providing more comprehensive solutions and taking care of your personal needs.
While minor withdrawals can be taken care of by providing the patient with a supportive and well-rounded environment where they can feel at ease and talk about their alcoholism, serious cases like the occurrence of seizures may require you to be admitted to a hospital. There are certain medications like benzodiazepines and anti-seizure medicines, along with a combination of other drugs that are given to patients experiencing seizures. However, remember that you should never take a drug without formal approval from your medical provider to ensure that you’re taking the right one for your circumstance.
In addition, alcohol-related seizures stop occurring when patients cease their alcohol consumption. This means that seizure-related drugs are unnecessary in the long term, provided that the patient does not become alcohol dependent again. In case there is a chance of a relapse, the primary care that is important is that of the treatment for substance dependency.
Talk to your doctor if you’re unsure what treatment is the most suited for you. They will guide you according to your personal history.
Other methods for fast recovery
1. Abstain completely from alcohol
Seizures are a problem, and if you’re on the road to recovery, you might consider stopping alcohol for the rest of your life. This will keep you safe from experiencing future symptoms and help you lead a healthier and more fulfilled life. You can start by removing any traces of alcohol from your home. If you have old bottles stacked somewhere, get rid of them. Next, try to avoid visiting bars or places that serve alcohol. When you’re not around alcohol, it’s much easier to not get tempted to consume it.
2. Eat healthy and exercise
Eating a well-balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, and exercising are three things that will keep your body functioning normally. For an alcoholic, the most important thing in life is drinking, and in the process, they might forget to give their body the necessary fuel to stay alive and active. Once recovered, you should get in shape and aim for healthier alternatives.
Start cooking yourself. This will give you a chance to choose your own ingredients and experiment with new ways to prepare meals. Homecooked meals are far better than fast food, which is loaded with fat and contains almost no essential nutrients.
3. Engage in constructive activities
Spending your entire day drinking alcohol means that you miss out on the more productive activities where you can learn a ton and feed your mind with something worthwhile. Once recovered and back home, you can invest your time doing things that will make you grow. These can include spending time in nature, reading, or signing up for a cooking class.
The best part is that these pursuits can help you meet interesting people with whom you might become friends for life. With time and as you become involved with more fascinating projects, you won’t even think of alcohol again.
Conclusion
Alcoholic seizures are scary and can cost you your life. Experiencing them means that you’ve reached your limit and need to start getting medical attention or therapy sessions before you experience other serious health complications. Be sure to reach out to your friends and family if you need someone to talk to or to just be there for you.
It’s important to surround yourself with people who care about you because they provide the necessary emotional and moral support through a difficult journey. With persistence and determination, you can start leading a healthy and happy life.
I am a passionate beer connoisseur with a deep appreciation for the art and science of brewing. With years of experience tasting and evaluating various beers, I love to share my opinions and insights with others and I am always eager to engage in lively discussions about my favorite beverage.
