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Delirium Tremens

Delirium tremens (DT) is the most severe and serious condition during the detox process. It’s a psychotic condition characterized by hallucinations, tremors, anxiety, and disorientation. While they can also be the result of a severe infection, illness, or head injury, it is most common in chronic drinkers who, for one reason or another, have not had any liquor for a certain period.

  • It has an anticipated mortality of up to 37% without appropriate treatment.

Experts estimate that 7.2 percent or 17 million adults in the United States have an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Getting sober can be one of the most difficult challenges for anyone with dependency issues, especially given the relapsing nature of this condition. Heavy drinkers stopping cold turkey could face a potentially fatal outcome.

Withdrawal

Withdrawal can be physically painful, but anyone experiencing them is in the midst of a medical emergency. There is the danger of the cardiovascular system completely collapsing, which can result in mortality. Medical science has reduced the mortality rate, yet anywhere from 1 to 15 percent of people who develop this condition will die.

Delirium Tremens is a severe medical condition. There is a significant impact on the cardiovascular system and other vital parts of the body. According to the experts, it will cause death between 1 – 15% of the cases, even with treatment available. It will cause death in 15 – 40% of the cases when no treatment is available.

According to Wikipedia, 50% of all alcoholics develop some symptoms when they stop and approximately 4% will develop DT.

Symptoms

Signs occur because liquor is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. Symptoms can present themselves in as little as 2 hours from the last drink but typically manifest anywhere from 48 to 72 hours after the last intake. Here are signs to look for if someone who is a drinker stops. Symptoms can include some of the following:

  • Changes in mental functions
  • Confusion, agitation, irritability
  • Severe mood swings
  • Sensitivity to light, touch, and sound
  • Seizures
  • Excessive sleep and sleepiness
  • Hallucinations
  • Anxiety and depression

They can present themselves in as little as 2 hours from the last drink but typically begin to manifest anywhere from 48 to 72 hours after the last intake. The symptoms seem to spike around the 5th day of detox. With proper medical supervision, patients can begin to recover from the condition.

Those most at risk are chronic drinkers with a history of for ten years or more. Heavy drinking is 4 to 5 pints of wine, 7 to 8 pints of beer, or one pint of liquor every day for several weeks.

Others who are at risk can include the following:

  • Alcoholics go in for surgery without informing the doctor of their condition.
  • Heavy drinkers who choose to quit cold-turkey.
  • Individuals with previous symptoms.
  • Drinkers habitually eat very little and stop drinking for a short period.
  • Most people who create it are older, but the condition can affect a person of any age who’s consistently been drinking heavily.

Responding to someone with DT first focuses on saving the patient’s life. Once doctors have them stable, a person might need close observation for up to a week, and their symptoms manifest. Only after complete detoxification can long-term treatment for AUD begin.

.Rehabilitation, support groups, and counseling will help individuals genuinely recover and establish a foundation for a happy, healthy, and sober lifestyle.

The difference between the DTs and alcohol poisoning