Understanding and Overcoming
Delirium Tremens (DTs)
Alcohol is one of the most abused drugs in the country, in fact, as much as 20% of the population will exhibit alcohol abuse and alcohol use disorders during their lifetime. Among that 20%, half will deal with alcohol withdrawal symptoms once they discontinue or cut back on their drinking. While most alcohol withdrawal is uncomfortable but able to be overcome, 3-5% of people will experience the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal, delirium tremens (DTs)
What are Delirium Tremens?
Delirium tremens is late-stage alcohol withdrawal syndrome that is characterized by extreme confusion, hyperactivity, and cardiovascular collapse. DTs was first recognized as a disorder in the early 1800s and over the past few decades have become more understood to be a problem associated with severe alcohol addiction.
Delirium Tremens Definition
According to Merriam Webster, DTs is defined by “a violent delirium with tremors that is induced by excessive and prolonged use of alcoholic liquors”
What Happens in Delirium Tremens?
When exposed to delirium tremens, clients will deal with confusion, hyperactivity, tremors, nausea, hallucinations, and more. It is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal and requires medical attention to ensure safety.
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What Causes Delirium Tremens?
Delirium tremens is caused by the abrupt cessation of alcohol use by someone who chronically uses alcohol. More specifically, because alcohol is a depressant drug that slows your brain and nervous system, when you stop drinking alcohol after a long period of heavy drinking, your body and brain become overstimulated as the central nervous system can’t adjust to the differences quickly enough.
This leads to spikes in glutamate, an excitatory amino acid, that causes a number of symptoms associated with delirium tremens including high blood pressure, tremors, agitation, seizures, and more.
Delirium Tremens vs Alcohol Withdrawal
Delirium tremens is a specific portion of alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal as a whole can involve many symptoms and stages depending on the level and severity of the addiction. Alcohol withdrawal comes in 3 stages:
Mild - Mild alcohol withdrawal is associated with minor problems such as anxiety, insomnia, gastrointestinal issues, and more.
Moderate - Those who use alcohol more frequently may deal with Stage 2 alcohol withdrawal that is characterized by symptoms like systolic blood pressure, rapid breathing, mild hyperthermia, and more.
Delirium Tremens - DTs is the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal. Those dealing with DT may struggle with problems such as impaired attention, disorientation, tremors, seizures, and more.
Intense levels of alcoholism will cause delirium tremens, the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal that can lead to problems like seizures and hallucinations.
Delirium Tremens Symptoms
There are many symptoms that clients will face when dealing with alcohol withdrawal and delirium tremens specifically. Symptoms of delirium tremens can range from annoying and uncomfortable to dangerous and life-threatening.
Some of the minor problems associated with DTs include:
- Sweating
- Sensitivity to light
- Sleepiness
- Fatigue
The life-threatening complication associated with DTs include:
- Seizures
- Disorientation
- Hypertension
- Hyperthermia
- Confusion
- Arrhythmias
- Respiratory failure
- Coma
Seizures are one of the more dangerous symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal and delirium tremens. The common types of seizures that people deal with during delirium tremens are generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
Bilateral tonic-clonic seizures are seizures that affect the entire body and lead to rigid muscles followed by violent muscle contractions.
These types of seizures can lead to other symptoms including:
- Biting the tongue or cheek
- Clenched jaw
- Loss of urine control
- Difficulty breathing and more
Hallucinations
Along with the above problems, auditory and visual delirium tremens hallucinations are also common for people suffering from this form of late-stage alcohol withdrawal. Studies have shown that the most frequent visual hallucinations pertain to animals and often include cats, dogs, snakes, as well as white mice. Some of the auditory hallucinations that people dealing with delirium tremens have been known to hear include murmurs, the noise of running water, shooting, music, and more.
Can You Die From Delirium Tremens?
Delirium tremens, and withdrawal from alcohol in general, can be fatal. That is why it is vital to seek help if you believe that you or a loved one has an alcohol addiction. It should be considered a medical emergency as it can be a life-or-death situation.
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How Long Does Delirium Tremens Last?
Everyone’s situation is different, however, delirium tremens can last for up to 5 days after it begins. Initial minor withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, headaches, and insomnia generally occur within 6 hours of cessation of alcohol use. After 12 hours these can evolve into more serious problems like alcohol hallucinations.
These problems continue to get more and more severe if the withdrawal symptoms remain untreated. It can soon lead to full-blown DTs, which is characterized by seizures, problems breathing, confusion, and more.
When Do Delirium Tremens Start?
Delirium tremens is now commonly known to occur 48 hours after last drinking alcohol for those who chronically abuse the substance.
Delirium Tremens Treatment
In the past, alcohol withdrawal and delirium tremens were considered a psychiatric disease. However, the problem has become more understood over the past decades and instead of things like locked restraints, treatment for delirium tremens has come a long way and there are ways to manage the problem.
While there is no specific cure for delirium tremens, there are measures in place to help manage the symptoms of DTs and alcohol withdrawal to ensure that clients can deal with these problems as comfortably as possible. Medically monitored detox facilities utilize medication and more to help control shaking and other symptoms, decrease risk of seizures, and reduce the chances of fatality.
In the past, alcohol withdrawal and delirium tremens were considered a psychiatric disease. However, the problem has become more understood over the past decades and instead of things like locked restraints, treatment for delirium tremens has come a long way and there are ways to manage the problem.
While there is no specific cure for delirium tremens, there are measures in place to help manage the symptoms of DTs and alcohol withdrawal to ensure that clients can deal with these problems as comfortably as possible. Medically monitored detox facilities utilize medication and more to help control shaking and other symptoms, decrease risk of seizures, and reduce the chances of fatality.
How to Avoid DTs
For people who are heavily drinking and chronically addicted to alcohol, avoiding delirium tremens can be difficult. That said, there are delirium tremens medical procedures and best practices to help clients deal with the problem. Your best bet is to seek out a professional treatment program that has a 24/7 medically monitored detox program. This way you can go through the withdrawal process in the safest environment possible while being watched 24 hours a day to ensure your safety.
Delirium Tremens Medication
One of the ways clinicians can help clients deal with the problems associated with delirium tremens is through medications. Oral benzos are the most studied and most effective drugs used for preventing and managing the symptoms associated with delirium tremens. However, there have been studies into other drugs that may help, these include both gabapentin and barbiturates. While there are risk factors associated with these medications as well, because they are administered by medical professionals, they are safe.
Along with medications, delirium tremens supportive therapy can be used to help clients ease their minds and begin the overarching addiction treatment process.
Delirium Tremens Detox at Reflections
If you are looking for a detox in the Bay Area, Reflections is an inpatient program that can help you or your loved one overcome alcohol withdrawal and delirium tremens. From there, our team will put together an individualized treatment plan based on your personal history with addiction and mental health to help you overcome alcohol abuse and whatever other issues you may be struggling with.
Reflections is a premier, luxury detox and rehab program in Northern California. We offer both evidence-based and holistic treatment options for all forms of substance abuse to ensure that clients are getting a comprehensive approach to their long-term recovery. Call our team today to learn about our personalized care plans and our different treatment options available to you or your loved one.