Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol withdrawal differs significantly from most other drugs because it can be directly fatal. While it is possible for cocaine addicts, for instance, to die from other health problems made worse by the strain of withdrawal, an otherwise healthy alcoholic can die directly from the effects of withdrawal.

Heavy consumption of alcohol reduces the production of a neuroinhibitor known as GABA. An abrupt stop of alcohol consumption can cause a condition where neither alcohol nor GABA exists in the system in adequate quantities, causing uncontrolled firing of the synapses. This causes hallucinations, shakes, convulsions, seizures, and possible heart failure, all of which are collectively referred to as delirium tremens. All of these withdrawal issues can be safely controlled with a medically supervised alcohol detox.