Can Alcohol Withdrawal Cause Seizures? How to Detox Safely
If you or a loved one is thinking about stopping alcohol use, it can be one of the best decisions ever. There are people who have risked their health and safety by not doing it properly, though. The first few days are crucial, because there are dangers that many people don’t realize.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there. People may think they just need to go cold turkey and “sweat it out,” as though there is only some discomfort to get through and then they’ll be on the other side of it. Others may feel embarrassed or ashamed of how bad things have gotten, so they are afraid to ask for help. Some think they need to do this on their own to avoid seeming weak.
The reality is that people who use alcohol regularly are making changes in their brain chemistry that are reversible but make medical monitoring and treatment necessary to avoid serious consequences during detox. These involve more than the trembling, night sweats, and insomnia that many people expect. Alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures, delirium, dangerous changes in heart rate and blood pressure, and other potentially life-threatening complications.1 In other words, alcohol withdrawal can be deadly if it isn’t done properly.
This isn’t meant to frighten you. Instead, we want to encourage you by letting you know that while there are risks in detoxing on your own, help is available, and there is no reason to take unnecessary chances with your life.
The Truth About Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Alcohol gets its effects by slowing activity in the central nervous system. This is why it is known as a depressant. The more often it is used, the more the brain tries to compensate by increasing electrical activity.2 This can lead to needing more alcohol to overcome the brain’s attempts at balance. It can become a vicious cycle.
When alcohol use is stopped suddenly, that excited brain state can keep going for a period of time. This leads to various symptoms such as tremors, shaking, sweating, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, increased or unstable heart rate and blood pressure, hallucinations, severe confusion, delirium, and seizures.
These withdrawal symptoms can start within hours after someone stops using alcohol, but they may take days to fully show up. This can lull some people into thinking they are fine when they are actually heading into the danger zone.
Alcohol withdrawal seizures most often happen within the first 6 to 48 hours after the last drink. Serious withdrawal symptoms can continue or worsen after that window.
It’s also important to know that each time detoxing is different. Someone might think, “I’ve done this before. It was no problem then, so it will be no problem now.” People who have quit multiple times are actually at higher risk. In other words, getting through previous withdrawals safely does not guarantee that the next one will be safe.
This is one of the reasons that medical monitoring is crucial throughout the detox process. Skilled staff can catch withdrawal symptoms coming on or getting worse before the person withdrawing is aware.
When Should Someone Seek Medical Help for Alcohol Detox?
Medical monitoring is vital for anyone who has been using alcohol regularly and/or heavily, or believes they may be physically dependent. This is even more true for anyone who has had withdrawal symptoms in the past.3
This is why it’s so important to have medical staff involved in the detox process. They can evaluate a person’s alcohol use history, other medical conditions, any previous withdrawals, and how medications and other drugs may impact detox. This allows them to help guide detox so it goes as well as possible while remaining safe at every stage. These are not decisions that should be made through guesswork or assumptions.
Medical staff can also prescribe medications to prevent seizures and other risks, while making the detox process as comfortable as possible. They will also monitor vital signs and make adjustments to the detox process as it progresses.
Most importantly, medical staff can be there if anything goes wrong. They have the training and experience to deal with emergencies. This should not be left to family members, and no one should try to do it alone.
If Someone Has a Seizure During Alcohol Withdrawal, What Should You Do?
If you see a loved one or anyone else have a seizure, lose consciousness, become severely confused, appear to be hallucinating, have severe agitation, or seem medically unstable, treat it as a medical emergency. Call 911 immediately.
If they are having a seizure:
- Call for emergency medical help.
- Protect the person from nearby objects that could injure them.
- If possible, gently turn them onto their side.
- Cushion their head.
- Do not restrain them.
- Do not put anything into their mouth.
- Pay attention to approximately how long the seizure lasts, because medical personnel can use this information.
Some alcohol withdrawal seizures may involve stiffening, rhythmic jerking movements, or confusion afterward.
It is common for people who have seizures to recover and want to brush it off or refuse care. If you suspect they are in alcohol withdrawal, it is imperative that they get medical evaluation. One seizure could be a sign that more are on the way, and it could also signal that alcohol withdrawal is getting worse.
Safe Alcohol Detox at Windmill Wellness Ranch
At Windmill Wellness Ranch, we know that detox from alcohol and other drugs is an important first step in the recovery process. Our staff are highly trained and experienced in helping people get through the detox as safely and comfortably as possible.
We also know that for many clients, detox will be the doorway into a new life, but it is rarely enough by itself. Since our detox integrates seamlessly into our residential program, it is easy for clients to see how a full treatment experience is working for others and it can work for them, too.
Our program combines individual therapy, recovery coaching, family groups and sessions, and measurement-based care. Clients receive regular assessments throughout treatment so that clinical decisions can be informed not only by observation but by measurable changes in areas such as cravings, anxiety, depression, stress, optimism, and commitment to recovery.
Because addiction rarely exists in isolation, our clinicians also work with trauma and co-occurring mental health concerns using approaches such as EMDR, Internal Family Systems, DBT, and CBT.
If you or someone you love needs support, we are here. Call 830-223-2055 or contact us online to take the first step toward healing.
References
- Jesse, S., Bråthen, G., Ferrara, M., Keindl, M., Ben-Menachem, E., Tanasescu, R., … & Ludolph, A. C. (2017). Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: mechanisms, manifestations, and management. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, 135(1), 4-16.
- Kaye, A. D., Staser, A. N., Mccollins, T. S., Zheng, J., Berry, F. A., Burroughs, C. R., … & Varrassi, G. (2024). Delirium tremens: a review of clinical studies. Cureus, 16(4), e57601.
- Ooms, M., Roozen, H. G., Willering, J. H., Zijlstra, W. P., de Waart, R., & Goudriaan, A. E. (2021). Effects of multiple detoxifications on withdrawal symptoms, psychiatric distress and alcohol-craving in patients with an alcohol use disorder. Behavioral Medicine, 47(4), 296-310.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can alcohol withdrawal really cause a seizure?
Yes. Seizures are a recognized danger of alcohol withdrawal. They most commonly occur during the first 48 hours of withdrawal.
If I’ve stopped drinking before without having a seizure, am I safe?
Not necessarily. Just because you haven’t experienced withdrawals in the past does not guarantee that you’ll be okay this time. Repeated withdrawals actually increase the chances of severe withdrawals later.
If I haven’t started shaking badly, does that mean I’m not at risk?
Unfortunately, no. Withdrawal seizures can occur with or without other prominent withdrawal symptoms.
When is alcohol withdrawal an emergency?
A seizure, severe confusion, loss of consciousness, hallucinations accompanied by significant agitation or instability, or other severe withdrawal symptoms require urgent medical attention. If you believe you or someone else is experiencing a medical emergency related to alcohol withdrawal, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
