Abrupt cessation of alcohol intake after prolonged heavy drinking may trigger alcohol withdrawal seizures. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures are the most characteristic and severe type of seizure that occur in this setting. Generalized seizures also occur in rodent models of alcohol withdrawal. In these models, the withdrawal seizures are triggered by neuronal networks in the brainstem, includi...

Continued excessive alcohol consumption can lead to the development of dependence that is associated with a withdrawal syndrome when alcohol consumption is ceased or substantially reduced. This syndrome comprises physical signs as well as psychological symptoms that contribute to distress and psychological discomfort. For some people the fear of withdrawal symptoms may help perpetuate alcohol a...

AIMS Craving for the rewarding effects of alcohol may be evoked by conditioned alcohol-like effects whereas conditioned compensatory responses may induce withdrawal relief craving. We tested the hypothesis that drinking in positive emotional states is associated with appetitive reactions to alcohol-associated cues and contributes to reward craving, while conditioned withdrawal is associated wit...

A lack of consistency in the management of alcohol withdrawal was identified at the trust. A multidisciplinary working group was set up to review the existing policies, and evaluate the evidence available. A trust-wide policy was introduced and the Clinical Institute Withdrawal from Alcohol score was used to manage alcohol withdrawal. Three main wards were identified for audit and education – e...

AIMS Alcohol consumption is often under-reported in patients admitted to general hospitals with acute illness. For alcohol-dependent individuals hospital admission results in an enforced period of abstinence with potential alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and possible life threatening complications. Early detection of alcohol use is therefore beneficial to patients and health services. The purpose ...

alcohol withdrawal in acutely ill hospitalized patients with a critical illness is challenging for pharmacists, nurses, and practicing physicians. Alcohol withdrawal is often a diagnosis considered in patients admitted with trauma; however, it can be confused with other conditions in the list of differential diagnoses of patients admitted with nontrauma diagnoses. Investigators estimate that up...

alcohol withdrawal in acutely ill hospitalized patients with a critical illness is challenging for pharmacists, nurses, and practicing physicians. Alcohol withdrawal is often a diagnosis considered in patients admitted with trauma; however, it can be confused with other conditions in the list of differential diagnoses of patients admitted with nontrauma diagnoses. Investigators estimate that up...

Alcoholism is a prevalent medical and psychiatric disease, and, consequently, alcohol withdrawal is encountered frequently in the emergency department. This issue reviews the pathophysiology of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome, describes the 4 manifestations of alcohol withdrawal, and looks at the available evidence for optimal treatment of alcohol withdrawal in its diverse presentations. Patien...

INTRODUCTION The potential of alcohol withdrawal to cause acute coronary events is an area that needs the urgent attention of clinicians and researchers. CASE PRESENTATION We report the case of a 52-year-old heavy-alcohol-using Sri Lankan man who developed electocardiogram changes suggestive of an acute coronary event during alcohol withdrawal. Despite the patient being asymptomatic, subseque...