31st January 2024

Background

Delirium tremens is a form of severe and acute withdrawal from alcohol and can be considered a medical emergency. The condition develops approximately two to three days after sudden cessation of alcohol altogether or reduction in drinking quantity. Long-term, heavy alcohol intake causes a compensated GABA and NMDA (glutamate) neurotransmitter imbalance. However, when alcohol use is suddenly stopped, glutamate neural pathways become hyper-excitable with unregulated activity, leading to the symptoms of delirium tremens.