The key facts
- Abruptly quitting alcohol is dangerous primarily for people on drinking binges: withdrawal syndrome, seizures and delirium are possible.
- Alcohol delirium usually develops on the second to fourth day after quitting; without treatment, mortality reaches 15–20%.
- Withdrawal symptoms: anxiety, tremors, sweating, sleep and heart rhythm disturbances, vomiting, elevated blood pressure.
Why abruptly quitting alcohol can be dangerous
Deciding to give up alcohol is the right choice, but in some cases it can be life-threatening, said narcologist at the Alcomed clinic Rafael Khakimzanov in a comment to Lenta.ru, as cited by Gazeta.Ru. According to him, the risk applies primarily to people on drinking binges: for them, abruptly quitting causes severe stress and increases the likelihood of withdrawal syndrome.
Symptoms and the most severe complication
Withdrawal syndrome manifests as anxiety, hand tremors, excessive sweating, sleep disturbances and heart rhythm problems; nausea, vomiting and elevated blood pressure are also possible. If a person has been drinking for a long time, quitting may trigger epileptic-like seizures and hallucinations.
Alcohol delirium
The most dangerous complication is alcohol delirium, or 'delirium tremens'. According to the doctor, it develops on the second to fourth day after quitting alcohol: 'A person loses touch with reality, sees frightening images (zoopsia: rats, spiders, devils), hears voices, and experiences fear and anxiety. Without treatment, mortality from the manifestations of alcohol delirium reaches 15-20%'.
Context
Gazeta.Ru also recalls earlier publications on related topics: neurologist Alexey Mamatov named stress, dehydration, irregular eating, lack of sleep, alcohol and refusing to seek medical care as factors that sharply reduce energy levels, while earlier another doctor spoke about the fastest path to alcoholism. These materials concern the general impact of alcohol on health and are not directly related to the warning about withdrawal syndrome.
