Kindling in alcohol withdrawal

In many alcoholics, the severity of withdrawal symptoms increases after rep eated withdrawal episodes. This exacerbation may be attributable to a kindl ing process. Kindling is a phenomenon in which a weak electrical or chemica l stimulus, which initially causes no overt behavioral responses, results i n the appearance of behavioral effects, such as seizures, when it is admini stered repeatedly. Both clinical and experimental evidence support the exis tence of a kindling mechanism during alcohol withdrawal. Withdrawal symptom s, such as seizures, result from neurochemical imbalances in the brain of a lcoholics who suddenly reduce or cease alcohol consumption. These imbalance s may be exacerbated after repeated withdrawal experiences. The existence o f kindling during withdrawal suggests that even patients experiencing mild withdrawal should be treated aggressively to prevent the increase in severi ty of subsequent withdrawal episodes. Kindling also may contribute to a pat ient's relapse risk and to alcohol-related brain damage and cognitive impai rment.