{"id":1211,"date":"2021-07-22T12:15:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-22T16:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.therecoveryvillage.com\/?page_id=1211"},"modified":"2022-07-11T14:48:07","modified_gmt":"2022-07-11T18:48:07","slug":"delirium-tremens-dts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.therecoveryvillage.com\/alcohol-abuse\/delirium-tremens-dts\/","title":{"rendered":"Alcohol and Delirium Tremens"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the most serious complications of alcohol withdrawal may take days to show up.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you or a loved one struggle with alcohol abuse<\/a>, you might worry about alcohol withdrawal<\/a>. Withdrawal from alcohol is an uncomfortable process and can be dangerous or even deadly<\/a>. One of the dangerous complications of alcohol withdrawal is a condition known as delirium tremens, or DT, which can be life-threatening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Article at a Glance:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Delirium tremens, or DT, is a serious form of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left untreated, the chance of death from DT is 37%. Even if treated, the chance of death from DT is up to 15%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A hospital stay is usually required for DT because it can be serious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seek medical attention immediately if there are signs of DT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of DT can occur anywhere from 48 hours to 10 days after the last drink.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What Is Delirium Tremens?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you drink alcohol heavily<\/a> for a long time and then suddenly stop, you are at risk of a condition known as alcohol withdrawal syndrome, or AWS. This syndrome can cause a variety of symptoms. Some AWS symptoms are barely noticeable, but some are severe. Furthermore, some AWS symptoms will show up within a few hours, and some may take days to show up. The most severe form of AWS is DT, which combines serious psychological and nervous system changes. About five percent of people with AWS develop DT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Causes Delirium Tremens?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Drinking large amounts of alcohol over a long time harms your brain. In particular, alcohol interferes with your body\u2019s ability to regulate brain chemicals including gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate. These chemicals have opposite effects in the brain: glutamate excites the cells in the brain while GABA calms them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The effect of GABA in the brain is enhanced to match the quantity of alcohol consumed over time. Because brain activity becomes depressed with chronic drinking, the brain becomes highly sensitive to any glutamate produced. When you suddenly stop drinking alcohol<\/a>, the brain can easily become over-excited because it is overly sensitive to glutamate, and there is not enough GABA to calm the brain. This over-excitement can lead to the unpleasant effects of AWS, including DT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people who struggle with alcohol abuse<\/a> are more at risk for DT than other people. Risk factors include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n