Alcohol and the Resulting Consequences of Delirium Tremens
Faculty Mentor
Kayleen Islam-Zwart
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
5-8-2024 9:00 AM
End Date
5-8-2024 10:45 AM
Location
PUB NCR
Primary Discipline of Presentation
Psychology
Abstract
Alcohol is a depressant drug that inhibits the function of the central nervous system (CNS) and neurons in the mind. This results in physiological effects typical of an inhibited CNS, slowing the heartbeat and breathing and decreasing blood pressure. However, this inhibition of both the CNS and the neural chemistry develops a tolerance and, in turn, withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms are the inverse of the inhibition caused by the depressant effects of alcohol. In extreme cases, one can develop delirium tremens (DT). DT is a debilitating condition caused by a sudden cut in alcohol after consistent, intense drinking. Because their CNS and neural chemistry have adapted to the fierce drinking, this sudden decrease in alcohol consumption results in violent withdrawal symptoms found a significant increase in the risk of cultivating DT if individuals had a daily alcohol intake of at least 20 alcoholic drinks.
Additionally, drinking spirits were found to be more impactful in the development of DT, contrary to mixed alcohol. Finally, males were more susceptible to the risk of developing DT. Further attention to the precipitating factors (e.g., age of starting consumption, comorbidity with other substance use, etc.) involved in the development of DT is necessary and will be proposed.
Recommended Citation
Santos, Nicasio L., "Alcohol and the Resulting Consequences of Delirium Tremens" (2024). 2024 Symposium. 25.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2024/ps_2024/p1_2024/25
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Alcohol and the Resulting Consequences of Delirium Tremens
PUB NCR
Alcohol is a depressant drug that inhibits the function of the central nervous system (CNS) and neurons in the mind. This results in physiological effects typical of an inhibited CNS, slowing the heartbeat and breathing and decreasing blood pressure. However, this inhibition of both the CNS and the neural chemistry develops a tolerance and, in turn, withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms are the inverse of the inhibition caused by the depressant effects of alcohol. In extreme cases, one can develop delirium tremens (DT). DT is a debilitating condition caused by a sudden cut in alcohol after consistent, intense drinking. Because their CNS and neural chemistry have adapted to the fierce drinking, this sudden decrease in alcohol consumption results in violent withdrawal symptoms found a significant increase in the risk of cultivating DT if individuals had a daily alcohol intake of at least 20 alcoholic drinks.
Additionally, drinking spirits were found to be more impactful in the development of DT, contrary to mixed alcohol. Finally, males were more susceptible to the risk of developing DT. Further attention to the precipitating factors (e.g., age of starting consumption, comorbidity with other substance use, etc.) involved in the development of DT is necessary and will be proposed.
