Complications of alcohol withdrawal - Pathophysiological insights

Disease processes or events that accompany acute alcohol withdrawal (AW) ca n cause significant illness and death. Some patients experience seizures, w hich may increase in severity with subsequent AW episodes. Another potentia l AW complication is delirium tremens, characterized by hallucinations, men tal confusion, and disorientation. Cognitive impairment and delirium may le ad to a chronic memory disorder (i.e., Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome). Psychi atric problems associated with withdrawal include anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance. In addition, alterations in physiology, mood, and behavi or may persist after acute withdrawal has subsided, motivating relapse to h eavy drinking. Recent advances in neurobiology may support the development of improved medications to decrease the risk of AW complications and suppor t long-term sobriety.