Alcohol is a dangerous substance when used in excess. It affects many of your bodily organs including liver, heart, and brain. That said, does alcohol cause seizures? The short answer is yes! Learning the connection between the two might can be beneficial for people who drink on a regular basis, as well as those who are fearful of seizures (possible hereditary concerns).
Here, we’ll discuss the dangers of alcohol use and seizures to provide a better knowledge base. In the end, you’ll have a better grasp of how alcohol is associated with seizures and what prevention techniques you can take to reduce your probability of developing them.
Does Alcohol Trigger Seizures?
Alcohol can be the cause of a variety of side-effects. Consequently, when alcohol is consumed, it translates into the brain sending the body a altered message than the one that it should be receiving. This can interfere with the normal functioning of the brain and manifest itself in indications such as seizures.
What happens if you drink alcohol while taking seizure medication?
Seizure medications such as clonazepam, lorazepam, diazepam, and other benzodiazepines can lead to serious central nervous system problems when used with alcohol. They will intensify dizziness, confusion, and shallow breathing.
Connection Between Alcohol and Seizures
Alcohol disrupts the balance of the chemicals in your brain that are essential for the cognitive activity of the brain. Heavy drinking and sudden stoppage from alcohol can cause seizures. The most common seizures related to alcohol are Grand Mal seizures, which affect the entire brain and body. In fact, any chronic, extreme consumption and an abrupt stop of alcohol can produce seizures. Moreover, being informed of the risks is vital for you to the understand the implications drinking. For anyone considering getting help for their alcoholism, it is generally not advised to stop drinking unless you have consulted with a doctor or entered a hospital / medical detox.
What are the Risks Associated with Grand Mal Seizures?
Alcohol research shows that seizures can occur as early as seven hours after the last drink and can continue for 36 hours with maintained abstinence. At the same time, about 10% of chronic drinkers (consuming three or more drinks daily) are affected by Grand Mal (aka tonic-clonic) seizures. Alcohol seizures are the most prevalent in people who drink alcoholically over a protracted period of time.
Additional risk factors for tonic-clonic seizures include:
- A family history of seizures
- History of stroke
- Insomnia
- Illegal substance use
Long-Term Effects of Alcohol & Seizure Risk
The greatest long-term risk of drinking prompting seizures is developing epilepsy, a condition where you are susceptible to having regular seizures. While the cause is not fully known, alcohol does create changes in the brain that affect your probability of having a Grand Mal seizure.
- Persistent alcohol may inflict damage to the brain affecting the area that is under the control of electricity. This damage can trigger seizures even after someone is no longer drinking.
- Alcohol use may also interfere with crucial anti-seizure medication.
Treatment of Seizures Related to Alcohol Withdrawal
The primary defense medication utilized for alcohol withdrawal seizures is Benzodiazepines, particularly Ativan, known for prolonged effectiveness. However, Benzodiazepines are highly addictive and may (over time) create additional substance use problems. For this reason, an array of non-controlled anticonvulsants are prescribed that include:
- Carbamazepine / Oxcarbazepine
- Valproic Acid / Divalproex
- Gabapentin and Pregabalin
- Levetiracetam
- Topiramate
About Celadon Recovery
Celadon is comprehensive addiction and mental health treatment center located along the shores of the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers, Florida. With a full-continuum of care including detox, residential, and outpatient programs, we are committed to quality substance use and co-occurring disorder care. Call us today at 239-266-2141.
