Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome Symptoms

Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome Introduction:-

• Substance use disorder is due to substance use refers to Alcohol abuse, Psychoactive drugs, and other Chemicals.
• Substance use disorder is an addiction disorder in which patients physiologic and psychological dependence on alcohol or other drugs, that are affect the central Nervous System.
• Substance abuse is referred to a repeated taking of a substance.

Classification of alcoholism –

A/c to ICD-10

• F₁₀-F₁₉ Mental and behavior disorder due to psychoactive substance use.
• F10 – Mental and behavior disorder due to use of alcohol
• F11 – Mental and behavioral disorder due to the use of opioids
• F12 – Mental and behavioral disorder due to the use of Cannabinoids
• F13 – Mental and behavioral disorder due to use of Sedative
• F14 – Mental and behavioral disorder due to use of cocaine
• F16 – Mental and behavioral disorder due to use of Hallucinogens.

Psychoactive Substance Drugs

1. Sedative Drugs

• Alcohol
• Narcotics
• Barbiturates
• Benzodiazepines

2. Stimulant drugs

• Cocaine
• Nicotine
• Caffeine

3. Hallucinogens

• LSD
• PCP

Alcohol Dependence Syndrome

• Alcoholism is a disorder in which a patient feels physical and psychological dependence on alcohol and express the withdrawal symptoms after discontinue the alcohol.
• Alcoholism is indicated the excessive use of alcohol to the point of causing and affect the individual, society and both.
• Alcoholic patient commonest physically depend on alcohol

Cause of Alcohol Dependence

1. Psychological cause – 

• Stress, anxiety, depression
• Failure in Exam
• Low self-esteem
• Poor impulsive control
• Frustration and depression

2. Social Cause – 

• Religious factors
• Social status and pear pressure
• Easily available of alcohol
• Family and occupational tension
• Urbanization

3. Biological factor – 

• Alcoholic family
• Family support
• Social unsuccessful
• Less satisfaction in social relationships.

4. Environmental factors
5. Hereditary.

Signs and symptoms of alcoholism

• Euphoria
• Dipsomania
• Nutritional deficiency
• Poor personal hygiene and untreated injuries
• Increase tolerance capacity
• Increase self-confidence
• Violence behavior and the use of abusive words
• Abnormal movement during walking
• Slurred speech
• Erectile dysfunction
• Psychiatric disorder due to Alcohol Dependence

1. Impaired attention or memory
2. Inappropriate sexual or aggressive behavior
3. Impaired judgment capacity
4. Delirium Tremors
5. Impaired psycho-Sexual function
6. Alcoholic hallucinations.

Diagnosis of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome:-

1. Screening test –

2. Use the CAGE questionnaires, which were given by John Ewing.

• C – Cut down the quantity of alcohol
• A – Annoyed
• G – Guilt
• E – Eye opener (do you need alcohol at awakening time)

2. GGT Test (Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase test)

• Normal GGT Value – 9-48 I.U.
• Increase the level in liver in chronic alcoholic patient.

3. Blood alcohol level assess
4. Liver function test
5. ECG, 2-D ECHO

Best Treatment for Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

1. Self-control is the best management.
2. Alcoholic anonymous (Self-help group meeting is arranged by the group of alcoholic patients)
3. The drug of choice of alcohol withdrawal symptoms is a benzodiazepine
4. Group psychotherapy
5. Disulfiram drug is used for aversion therapy
6. Disulfiram is contraindicated in cardiac and pulmonary disease patient.
7. Anticonvulsants
8. Psychological treatment –

• Group therapy
• Motivational interviews
• Cognitive behavior therapy
• Relaxation training
• Aversion conditioning therapy

Complication of alcoholism

1. The physical complication of Alcoholism– 

• Liver cancer and Liver Cirrhosis
• Fracture and injury

2. Social complications of Alcoholism –

• Social withdrawal
• Financial crisis
• Violence
• Divorce and family broken
• Loss the self-status in society
• Economic crisis and loss of job.

3. Psychological Complication- 

• 6^th cranial nerve palsy
• 3^rd Cranial nerve palsy

4. Wernicke Korsakoff Syndrome – 

These syndromes occur due to deficiency of Vitamin B₁ (Thiamine) and chronic alcoholic patients.

• a). Wernicke Encephalopathy Symptoms are Alexia, Motor activity Disturb, Slurred Speech, Numbness
• b). Korsakoff syndrome symptoms are Confabulation, Amnesia, Recent and immediate memory loss.
• 5. Marchia fava Bignami Disease- Neurological Disorder
• 6. Alcoholic Hallucination – Visual, tactile and auditory hallucination are present.
• Auditory hallucination is most commonly present in withdrawal of Alcohol.
• 7. Alcoholic Fits – Occurs due to intake of excessive alcohol.
• 8. Delirium Tremor – Most common psychological complication. The symptoms seen are Confusion, Disorientation, Tachycardia, Hypertension, Visual Hallucination, and Tremor.

how to prevent alcoholism

Primary Prevention of Alcoholism

• Identify the substance abusers.
• Motivational and encourage the all abuser to stop alcohol use
• Health Educational Provide
• Improve family condition and socio- economic status

2. Secondary prevention of Alcoholism

• Early Detection and Counselling.
• Motivation interviewing
• Full assessment done – Medical, psychological and Social problems.
• Detoxification with Benzodiazepines
• Psychological therapy provides.
• Treat the complication of treatment.

3. Tertiary Prevention of Alcholism

• Disulfiram or Antabuse provide.
• Alcoholics anonymous
• Identify High risk situation and deal with them.
• Family counselling to reduce interpersonal conflicts
• Stress management
• Develop the work habit and capacity
• Finical management

How to Prevent a Hangover:-

• Tack A water Bottel:- Sip water or fruit juice to prevent Dehydration and reduce the Quantity of Alcohol.
• Have a light Snakes:- eat some food like snakes, lemon juice, etc.
• tack Bed Rest

Related Topic:-

Psychotherapy definition

Electro Convulsive Therapy(ECT)

Key points of Alcoholism:-

• Physiological and psychological dependence on alcohol is known – Alcohol abuse
• After alcohol use, feel happy and better is known as – Euphoria
• Excessive Drinking of Alcohol is known – Dypsomnia
• Drug of choice of alcohol withdrawal symptom – Benzodiazepines
• Drug use for aversion therapy in alcohol abuse – Disulfiram
• Most common psychological complication of alcohol abuse – Delirium Tremor
• Wernicke Korsakoff syndrome occur due to – Thiamine deficiency and chronic alcohol use.