Warning: This article contains discussion of alcoholism which some readers may find distressing.
A doctor has revealed the type of drinker who is more susceptible to developing a 'terrifying' side effect of alcohol when going through withdrawal.
Enjoying a pint of beer or a glass of wine remains a popular way for Brits to spend their spare time, with Alcohol Change UK estimating that 10.7 litres of pure alcohol are consumed per person, per year, on average.
However, research does suggest that attitudes towards alcohol are changing nationally, with 82 per cent of UK adults now drinking within recommended guidelines. There has also been a rise in people even giving up alcohol for extended periods of time, with trends such as 'Dry January' and 'Sober October' growing in popularity.
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There has also been a rise in understanding about how alcohol can impact your body - particularly those who have an unhealthy or dependent relationship with drinking.
One alcohol withdrawal symptom which is considered particularly 'terrifying' is delirium tremens (DTs), believed to impact up to five per cent of alcohol addicts (via the American Addiction Centre).
Delirium Tremens (DTs) explained
Delirium tremens occurs when a person's body becomes physically dependent on alcohol. After being exposed to high levels of booze for an extended period of time, the body's central nervous system adapts; which can cause the body to go into overdrive when the depressant effect of alcohol is removed.
According to WebMD, DTs is a severe type of alcohol withdrawal which begins around two-to-three days after a person consumes their last drink before detoxing.
Symptoms associated with DTs include:
- Tremors
- Confusion
- Fever
- Agitation
- Rapid heartbeat
- Seizures
- Sensitivity to light
DTs is different from typical alcohol withdrawal due to the severity of the associated symptoms.
Left untreated, DTs can lead to conditions such as heart attacks, strokes and even death.
What type of drinker is more likely to develop Delirium Tremens (DTs)?
It's important to note that not everyone who drinks alcohol, or even everyone who has an unhealthy relationship with drinking, will develop DTs.
According to US physician Dr Andrew Kim, the complication is more likely to occur if a person meets a certain number of risk factors associated with problem drinking.
He notes that being older is a risk factor for developing DTs, as well as having ongoing medical conditions, which occur at the same time as an alcohol detox.
Another risk factor is patients who begin to experience alcohol withdrawal before the booze has fully left their system. "Even though you have a positive blood alcohol level and you start going into withdrawal, you are likely someone who is at higher risk," he explained in a recent YouTube video.
Patients who've also experienced DTs in the past are at a higher risk than those who haven't before.
"We haven't identified a specific gene or chromosome that can say definitively 'this person will or won't experience DTs," he added.
"So that's not something we have available."
Please drink responsibly. If you want to discuss any issues relating to alcohol in confidence, contact Drinkline on 0300 123 1110, 9am–8pm weekdays and 11am–4pm weekends for advice and support.
Brenna Cooper