Alcohol-Induced Seizures: Why Does Alcohol Cause Seizures

Alcohol-induced seizures are a critical complication linked to alcohol misuse and withdrawal. Both the direct and indirect effects of alcohol on the brain can disrupt normal neurological function, increasing the likelihood of seizures. This guide will explain the causes, risk factors, and how alcohol impacts brain activity, leading to seizures.

These changes have a kindling effect, meaning they act as a kindle and trigger seizures during subsequent withdrawal episodes. Early symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include tremors, headache, insomnia, palpitations, irritability, anxiety, nausea, loss of appetite, excessive sweating, high blood pressure, and rapid heart rate. More serious symptoms include confusion, hallucinations, seizures, and delirium. As discussed above, some studies have found links between chronic alcohol use and the risk of developing epilepsy. This may be due to neuroadaptive changes in the brain because of prolonged drinking. Withdrawal is the body’s way of readjusting to the absence of alcohol.

Can Alcohol Poisoning Cause Seizures?

Alcohol may also affect anti-seizure medications, which could trigger seizures. Further significant correlations were emergency hospital admission, Alcohol Withdrawal Scale ≥  5, lower potassium, elevated bilirubin, increased Gamma-GT, thrombocytopenia, previous WS, and previous DT. In multivariate binary regression analysis, odds ratio for SAWS was 5.4 for emergency admission, 3.5 for previous DT and 2.2 for ILS, even if the significance level for the last parameter was missed. Most alcohol abusers who are having withdrawal symptoms have a shortage of several vitamins and minerals and can benefit from nutritional supplements. In particular, alcohol abuse can create a shortage of folate, thiamine, magnesium, zinc, and phosphate.

Levetiracetam has become the standard in our department for every alcohol detoxification since July 2017. Alternatively, valproic acid was used for patients without LC as the standard regimen before July 2017. In 2017 a “Dear Doctor Letter” was issued against Valproic acid in Germany, necessitating the switch to levetiracetam. The change in anticonvulsant therapy during the study period may have influenced the occurrence of SAWS, but no significant association between anticonvulsant therapy and SAWS was found in our cohort. The calculated E-values for emergency admission were 10.4 for OR and 3.82 for its CI, for previous DT 6.46 for OR and 2.37 for its CI, and for ILS 3.82 for OR and 1 for its CI. If you have an alcohol dependency problem and have decided to stop drinking, call your doctor for help.

• This article explores how alcohol affects people with epilepsy and provides recommendations for how much alcohol is best to consume.
• Fear of having a seizure in public or social stigma may lead to social isolation, while the need for constant monitoring can erode personal independence.
• This may be due to alcohol’s effect on the brain, sleep, and anti-seizure medications.
• Alcohol poisoning is a consequence of extreme binge drinking and can reduce blood sugar levels and alter concentrations of ions like magnesium and calcium in the brain.

Addiction Treatment

People with epilepsy should consult their doctor before using alcohol, as alcohol can affect epilepsy medications. Alcohol use can also trigger seizures in people with epilepsy if withdrawal symptoms begin to occur. Epilepsy can cause seizures to occur with more mild levels of alcohol withdrawal than would occur in most people. Moderate alcohol intake does not alcohol related seizure usually cause seizures in otherwise healthy individuals. However, research has found that the effects of long-term alcohol use on the human brain may increase the risk of developing seizure disorders. In other words, there may be a link between chronic alcohol use (alcoholism) and epilepsy risk.

A fact sheet about how alcohol misuse can cause memory blackouts

Certain gene polymorphisms, like those in the dopamine transporter gene, have been linked to a higher risk of seizures during alcohol withdrawal. The Recovery Village Columbus offers a 5–10 day medical alcohol detox program that ensures seizures are quickly detected and treated during withdrawal. Our program provides comprehensive follow-up care after medical detox to help maintain long-term sobriety. We are also an in-network provider for a range of insurance companies, including Cigna, BCBS and Humana. Alcohol affects the brain in many ways over the short and long term. People who use alcohol often wonder if alcohol can cause seizures and what the risks are.

Alcohol-related seizures in those with epilepsy mostly occur due to alcohol withdrawal rather than the act of drinking itself. According to older research, alcohol consumption may have a causal relationship with seizures, and people who drink 200 g or more of alcohol daily may have up to a 20-fold increase in seizure risk. It is also possible to experience seizures as a result of alcohol withdrawal. This can happen after someone who has misused alcohol for a long time stops consuming it.

How Do Seizures Occur?

Written informed consent was obtained from all patients before inclusion in the study. Data collection for this paper was between 1st October 2013 and 31st November 2021. The authors had access to information that could identify individual participants during or after data collection. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. There are two different categories of seizures, and within the categories nestle several subcategories. Choosing recovery close to home means your support system is just a few miles away.

Your doctor will assess your nutritional status and check for vitamin deficiencies. Alcohol has a slowing effect (also called a sedating effect or depressant effect) on the brain. In a heavy, long-term drinker, the brain is almost continually exposed to the depressant effect of alcohol. Over time, the brain adjusts its own chemistry to compensate for the effect of the alcohol.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) works best when combined with counseling and peer support, as part of a comprehensive approach to recovery. A personalized medication plan can help mitigate withdrawal risks, alleviate cravings and create a safer environment for therapy to be most effective. Managing alcohol-induced seizures requires a comprehensive treatment approach to break the cycle of alcohol use and seizure recurrence.

Diagnosing alcohol withdrawal

Alcohol acts by stimulating receptors in your brain that cause brain activity to be suppressed. Alcohol itself does not normally cause seizures, but during withdrawal, when the suppressive activity of alcohol is removed, your brain will be more susceptible to seizures than it normally would. There are some specific considerations that may affect your risk of seizures when using alcohol. We have an experienced team of healthcare providers who can manage alcohol-related seizures during the withdrawal phase and keep you safe and comfortable. Call us today to find out more about our alcohol detoxification programs. A person’s previous experiences with repeated alcohol withdrawals cause neurochemical imbalances in their brain.

These medications can reduce the risk of seizures occurring and treat active seizures that do happen. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. When this effect occurs deeply or over a long period of time, brain activity can rebound during alcohol withdrawal, exceeding normal levels and creating the risk of a seizure.

If you or a loved one are struggling with alcoholism and need help safely detoxing, we are here for you. We are committed to helping you medically detox safely and maintain long-term sobriety. Contact us today to learn how we can help you start your journey to lasting freedom from addiction.

Understanding the Co-Occurrence of PTSD and Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol withdrawal seizures are more likely to occur in those who have used alcohol heavily over prolonged periods. Those with an underlying health risk for seizures, a history of diabetes or who have experienced alcohol withdrawal seizures are most at risk. Most people who drink lightly or even moderately are at low risk of alcohol withdrawal seizures. Alcohol poisoning can increase the risk of seizures beyond what simply using too much alcohol would. Alcohol poisoning can severely reduce your blood sugar levels, leading to hypoglycemia.

“What to know about alcohol poisoning.” Medical News Today, December 2017. Bråthen, Geir; et al. “Alcohol-related seizures.” European Handbook of Neurological Management, 2011. It is followed by the clonic phase in which the person’s limbs jerk rhythmically and rapidly with bending of the large joints such as the elbows and knees. Join our supportive sober community where each day becomes a step towards personal growth and lasting positive change.

Alcohol-related blackouts can be dangerous and increase a person’s risk of injury and other harms. During an alcohol-related blackout, a person is conscious, but later they realize that they don’t remember what happened while they were intoxicated. Blackouts can have consequences, including social, physical, and health effects.