Dallas DWI Lawyer – Articles

Alcohol Withdrawal

People who have been drinking long enough to develop a physical dependency on alcohol, also known as alcoholism, may experience symptoms of withdrawal when they abstain from drinking. This, of course, makes it even harder to make the decision not to drink, leading to increased social, financial, health and legal problems for the person suffering from alcoholism.

Common Symptoms

The symptoms of withdrawal vary greatly depending on individuals ‘ genetics, overall health, the amount of alcohol they regularly consume, and the previous number of times they have tried to quit. Some of the mostly commonly reported symptoms are:

• Irritability
• Sleep disturbances
• Tremors or shaking
• Sweating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Hallucinations

Types of Withdrawal Hallucination

Hallucinations can be caused by either a symptom of advanced alcoholism known as alcoholic hallucinosis, or a condition caused by severe alcoholism known as delirium tremens, or the DTs. The hallucinations associated with alcoholic hallucinosis are usually auditory and fade rapidly.

In contrast, the hallucinations associated with the DTs are usually visual and can develop into altered sensorium, a state in which a person has no recognition of the physical world; he or she is completely engulfed in the hallucination. The DTs also frequently consist of shaking, hypertension, paranoia and even seizures. This condition occurs in nearly 5% of all severe alcohol withdrawal patients and is fatal in 5% – 10% of treated cases and 35% of untreated cases.

Kindling

If a person experiences multiple episodes of withdrawal over the years, the symptoms can become worse each time. This process is known as kindling, and it does not only occur in people who have been to rehab multiple times. For example, a person who alternates between drinking binges and periods of abstinence can develop this problem.

Legal Help – Contact a Dallas DWI Attorney

People struggling with alcoholism often have a variety of legal problems adding to their stress levels and making it even more difficult to sustain sobriety. If you need a committed Dallas DWI attorney, contact Mark Lassiter at 214-651-1121.