Seizures may be more likely in people with a seizure disorder, such as epilepsy; however, even those who have never had a seizure can experience one after drinking alcohol. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. Binge drinking and alcohol withdrawal together can cause seizures, even in people not previously diagnosed with epilepsy. Binge drinking refers to a scenario where you drink a lot in a short period of time, and the seizures related to binge drinking can stem from withdrawal. Even if you’re not a chronic drinker, in some cases, you may also experience withdrawal seizures after binge drinking.
Can alcohol trigger seizures in epilepsy?
For delirium tremens, treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU) is often required. In an ICU, your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing can be monitored closely in case emergency life-support (such as artificial breathing by a machine) is needed. Alcohol withdrawal is easy to diagnose if you have typical symptoms that occur after you stop heavy, habitual drinking. If you have a past experience of withdrawal symptoms, you are likely to have them return if you start and stop heavy drinking again.
Another thing to keep in mind is that alcohol and anti-seizure medications can cause similar side effects, such as fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness, and blurred vision. Therefore, drinking alcohol while on antiepileptic drugs can make these adverse effects more severe. For the same reason, anti-seizure drugs can also lower alcohol threshold, meaning a smaller amount of alcohol than usual can cause intoxication, when alcohol intake is combined with antiepileptic treatment. When people binge drink (consume a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time), the subsequent alcohol withdrawal can trigger seizures. For those seeking addiction or mental health treatment, The Recovery Village Indianapolis Drug and Alcohol Rehab stands as a beacon of hope. Located within the heart of Indy, we offer an array of treatment options, including medical detox and inpatient rehab for substance abuse and a residential rehab program for mental health disorders.
What to Know About Epilepsy Seizures and Alcohol
In a 2022 review of 8 studies, researchers found that the risk of epilepsy was 1.7 times higher (95% confidence intervals from 1.16 to 2.49) in people who consumed alcohol compared to non-drinkers. Unprovoked seizures that occur more than 48 hours after a person’s last drink may be due to another cause, such as head injury or withdrawal from other drugs. Heavy alcohol consumption is a common trigger for seizures in those who already have epilepsy.
Treatments
- The greatest risk of a seizure during a hangover is not due to the hangover itself but to the long-term blood sugar effects of alcohol.
- Moreover, family therapy offers loved ones an opportunity to learn healthy boundaries, cope with the emotional toll of a family member’s addiction and strengthen their own resiliency.
- Educational programs, support groups, and ongoing medical care can further help individuals manage their alcohol consumption and minimize seizure risks.
- For most people, the direct cause of alcohol seizures is not the alcohol itself.
- If you have severe vomiting, seizures, or delirium tremens, the safest place for you to be treated is in a hospital.
Additionally, if a seizure cannot be stopped or multiple seizures occur in rapid succession, it could result in permanent injury or prove fatal. Alcohol seizures may share symptoms with seizures that are not linked to alcohol. This section answers some frequently asked questions about alcohol and seizures. A person with epilepsy should speak with their doctor to determine how much alcohol, if any, is safe to consume with their condition. This may be due to alcohol’s effect on the brain, sleep, and anti-seizure medications.
Seizures often occur during delirium tremens but are not always a symptom of this condition. Withdrawal seizures also happen independently of delirium tremens, and having seizures during withdrawal doesn’t necessarily mean that delirium tremens is present. The GABA receptors that alcohol over-stimulates decrease the likelihood of seizures. When alcohol is gone, however, these receptors go from over-stimulated to temporarily under-stimulated as they try to adjust to normal. While under-stimulated, they create a reverse effect, making seizures more likely to occur until they readjust to the absence of alcohol, leading to alcohol withdrawal seizures. The authors report that over 90% of alcohol withdrawal seizures occur within 48 hours after the last drink.
Additionally, they may bite their tongue which may cause the saliva to be blood-tinged. The unpredictability of seizures, combined with the emotional toll of alcohol use, leads to high levels of anxiety, depression, and emotional instability. Many individuals with alcohol-induced seizures experience severe mental strain. Addressing AUD not only reduces the risk of future seizures but also improves overall mental and physical health, creating a foundation for lasting recovery.
Neurological examination of the patient, laboratory tests, computerized tomography with contrast enhancement and electroencephalography did not detect any abnormalities. Up to the last consultation, six months after admission, the patient has reported no recurrence of the seizure. Quinolone antibiotics vary in their ability to induce seizures, with ofloxacin having one of the least potentials. Of reported cases of seizures in patients treated with fluoroquinolones, none concerned patients with alcohol dependence or patients treated with benzodiazepines. The present case alerts us to the possibility that seizures may occur in alcohol dependent patients treated with benzodiazepines who concomitantly prescribed a fluoroquinolone. Excessive alcohol consumption over prolonged periods is toxic to the central nervous system and may lead to structural and functional changes.
NMDA, on the other hand, interacts with its receptor to excite cells in the brain. An alcohol withdrawal seizure may feel like a loss of consciousness, which you are slow to wake up from. If you are conscious during an alcohol withdrawal seizure, you may experience repetitive, uncontrolled movements of part or all of your body. Prior to the seizure, you may also experience an “aura,” consisting of an unusual visual change, smell, taste, or sound caused by abnormal brain activity.
Alcohol-Related Epilepsy
Seizures may occur in around 5% of people with alcohol withdrawal syndrome. It is possible for chronic alcohol consumption to cause seizures in people without a history of seizures. Heavy drinking, particularly withdrawal from heavy drinking, may trigger seizures in those with epilepsy.
The Causes of Alcohol-Induced Seizures
While many people consider alcohol to be a “safe drug,” it can induce seizures. What counts here is not alcohol consumption, per se, but the quantity of alcohol consumed. It’s important to know that alcohol effects the brain, acting as a depressant to the central nervous system. Most studies show that alcohol-related seizures often occur when a chronic drinker abruptly stops consuming alcohol. These seizures are primarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures and can be single episodes or occur in a series. The best way to prevent alcohol-induced seizures is by preventing alcohol abuse.
Alcohol can cause seizures; however, seizures from alcohol use are most likely to occur during alcohol withdrawal. alcohol related seizure Tell the person you’ll help them find the right treatment program for alcohol abuse. Together, you can address this issue properly and help the person build a happier and healthier life in recovery. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, some studies have linked chronic alcohol misuse to the development of epilepsy.
Differences from Other Seizures
Looking for addiction treatment in Columbus, Ohio or the surrounding areas? We have inpatient and outpatient facilities nearby and across the country ready to help. Before taking your medications, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor or your pharmacist to see if it’s safe to mix with alcohol. The leaflet that comes with your medications can advise you on whether it’s safe to mix your medication with alcohol. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, seizures by themselves typically are not fatal.
To learn more about handling liquor use and understanding how it affects your general health, simply call Calusa. We are always ready to assist you in dealing with these challenges thereby enabling you to build a healthier tomorrow. Contact us today for personal advice and support on the way to recovery.
From a functional perspective, ethanol inhibits neuronal excitability by facilitating inhibitory GABAergic transmission. In alcohol dependence, tolerance develops to this facilitatory action, involving an increased sensitivity to the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate and reduced sensitivity to GABA. Around half of alcohol-dependent patients present a withdrawal syndrome when they stop drinking, and seizures occur in around five percent of cases.
Medications To Prevent Seizures
Researchers say there are two main reasons people drink – they turn to alcohol to cope with stress, or because of influences from their social circle. Below is a collection of FAQs based on what we do know about this subject. The brain functions by creating electrical impulses or messages that tell the body what to do. If you’re going to walk or talk, neurons send messages to the areas of the brain responsible for those actions. When you or a loved one are ready to embark on the path to recovery, our Recovery Advocates are here, ready to assist.
While epilepsy can develop on its own in people who do not use alcohol, long-term alcohol use will increase the risk of epilepsy developing in some people. Most alcohol withdrawal seizures are generalized tonic-clonic seizures, commonly referred to as “grand mal” seizures. These involve a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions throughout the body. Seizures typically happen within 6 to 48 hours after the last drink, but the exact timing can vary based on the individual’s drinking history and other health factors. Withdrawal seizures can begin within just a few hours after stopping drinking, or they can take up to 72 hours to start.
You should also call 911 and get emergency medical help as soon as possible, even if the seizure has stopped. After the seizure, you should position them on their side and ensure that their airway is clear while waiting for emergency assistance. At Discover Recovery, we offer personalized alcohol addiction treatment programs to help you get sober and stay sober. Our holistic approach to alcohol rehab includes addressing the physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of your recovery. Our goal is to give you the best chance of kicking the habit and reclaiming your life. Studies show that multiple prior alcohol detoxifications predispose a person to withdrawal seizures more than the severity of their drinking history, which implies a kindling effect.
