What is Delirium Tremens?

In the latest government annual report in the UK, 87,308 people entered treatment to deal with an alcohol addiction or alcoholism alongside another addiction.

Many people are scared to get sober because they will go through withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal can be distressing, and it’s difficult to predict how severe it will be for you.

Some complications can occur, and one of them is known as delirium tremens. This is a very serious medical issue that may prove fatal, which is why, if it does develop, having access to care is essential.

This article will explain the causes of delirium tremens, its signs, and how you can lessen the risks.

What is Delirium Tremens?

Delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal. You could develop delirium tremens if you have a long history of drinking and begin an alcohol detox.

This condition tends to be more common in those who attempt to stop consuming alcohol completely and very suddenly, causing the body to go into withdrawal – which is your body’s reaction to a toxic substance no longer being in your body after you have become used to it.

The condition develops in roughly 5 to 10% of people, though there are factors that make it more likely. Delirium tremens differs from normal alcohol withdrawal as the symptoms are different and can be life-threatening. Whilst normal withdrawal will be an uncomfortable experience, you can get through it unscathed without professional help – delirium tremens is considered a medical emergency.

Common Symptoms of Delirium Tremens

Spotting the signs of delirium tremens is very important to keep you or someone you know safe. Without a doctor’s help, DTs can be deadly. So, knowing the symptoms can help you get ready if things get worse.

Look out for these common signs:

• Very confused and not thinking clearly
• Seeing or hearing things that aren’t real (hallucinations)
• Very restless and upset
• Sudden bursts of energy
• Feeling very tired
• Mood changes quickly

Physical signs to watch for:

• Shaking or trembling
• Sweating a lot
• Fast heartbeat
• Seizures
• High fever
• Chest pain

An Overview of How Delirium Tremens Symptoms May Develop

You should know how the symptoms normally progress. For the majority of detox experiences, the first mild symptoms (headaches, insomnia) are likely to start 6 to 24 hours after your last drink.

The symptoms will continue to get more intense within 2 to 3 days, and you may start to experience hallucinations. Increased blood pressure and sweating are also common symptoms at this time.

If someone develops delirium tremens during their detox stage, it’ll typically occur 2 to 4 days after the last drink. All these symptoms can persist for days, as many as 10, and could result in seizures or falling into a coma.

Key Causes of Delirium Tremens

You will only experience delirium tremens if you have a long history of alcohol abuse and that you often consume a large amount of alcohol. It can occur if you have this history with alcohol and then severely reduce your intake all of a sudden.

Delirium tremens happens as your body becomes used to the toxic presence of alcohol. Alcohol interferes in the regulation of brain chemical messengers, including gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate. GABA slows down your brain, having a calming effect, while GABA excites the brain cells.

Drinking heavily suppresses brain activity and if you suddenly stop, glutamate production goes back up and GABA goes down, your body goes into overdrive to try and cope with the change. This is what brings on delirium tremens.

Risk Factors for Delirium Tremens

Not everyone with an alcohol addiction will go through delirium tremens. There are, however, certain factors that make it more likely.

Other Addictions

Having addictions to other substances, especially ones that depress the central nervous system, can increase the risk of delirium tremens. Addiction to opioids or benzodiazepines can intensify withdrawal symptoms.

Alcohol Withdrawal History

If you have had multiple attempts at withdrawal, this can increase the risk of delirium tremens as the effects build up. Also, if you have experienced symptoms of delirium tremens in past withdrawal episodes, then you might be more prone to severe withdrawal.

Pre-existing Medical Conditions

Co-occurring health conditions can increase the risk. If you suffer from nutritional deficiencies, this can impair brain function and make withdrawal symptoms worse. Also, if you suffer from heart problems or liver diseases, then your body is less likely to be able to handle the stress of alcohol withdrawal, increasing the chance of delirium tremens happening.

How Dangerous is Delirium Tremens?

Delirium tremens is an incredibly dangerous condition. Research suggests that even though only 5 to 10% of people go on to develop delirium tremens, without treatment, there’s a 35% mortality rate. With treatment, it’s 15%.

In the short term, you can have seizures and die, fall into a coma, suffer from hyperthermia and die from that too. Complications may also arise, including alcoholic cardiomyopathy, aspiration pneumonia, hypertension and global confusion.

If you get through delirium tremens, there can be longer-term consequences to your health. You may suffer from cognitive impairment and memory problems – developing Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Delirium tremens can also affect you psychologically. Mental health problems are common with withdrawal and can persist long after you have gotten sober.

How to Recognise the Warning Signs

Spotting early signs such as tremors, excessive sweating, dizziness, and sleeplessness can be important for getting help before the situation worsens.

These symptoms may just be a sign of common withdrawal. What sets delirium tremens apart is hallucinations, confusion and extreme change in body temperature. If you are suffering from these, then it is much more likely to be delirium tremens.

If you are in an alcohol rehab, they can complete tests to determine if you are at risk. An MRI scan, EEG brain test, toxicology report and testing blood magnesium levels can all help professionals figure out if you are suffering from delirium tremens early on.

Treatment Options for Delirium Tremens

Delirium tremens should be considered a medical emergency, and specialised treatment is needed if it occurs outside of a rehab setting. Anti-seizure and blood pressure medication may be given to help alleviate symptoms.

Suffering from delirium tremens may help you realise how serious the situation is or be the last straw for an intervention to occur. In rehab, you can go through detox carefully, cared for by medical professionals in a safe environment.

Managing DTs is important, and healthcare professionals will help you through it, providing you with a comprehensive treatment plan that lessens the dangers of getting sober.

Can Delirium Tremens be Prevented?

If you are worried about delirium tremens, please know that it can be prevented.

The only sure way to prevent it is to stop drinking. However, if your addiction is serious, do not suddenly stop consuming alcohol. If you are going through detox at home, you should taper off slowly, ensure that people know what is happening, stay hydrated and well-fed, and if you feel that delirium tremens is inevitable, then seek medical attention.

At rehab, medical supervision is vital as you can have medication to ease symptoms and be carefully monitored to ensure you are safe.

With a medically assisted detox completed and beginning to deal with the psychological reasons behind your addiction, you can prevent delirium tremens in the long term. Having support around you, continuing to work on your sobriety and never giving up will help prevent delirium tremens from occurring.

Need Help for Alcohol Addiction? Get Support from Step 1 Now

Hopefully, the question of “What is delirium tremens?” has been sufficiently answered.

A severe form of withdrawal, it is dangerous and can have fatal consequences. Knowing the signs and how to recognise them is especially important. To lessen the risk of it happening or curb the effects, you must get professional help in the form of medical intervention and then addiction treatment.

At Step 1, we can help you deal with your alcohol problems. To learn more about our treatments and the Step 1 experience, call us now at 03301072950.