Alcohol withdrawal occurs when a person has been drinking excessive alcohol on a regular basis but then suddenly stops. Symptoms of withdrawal may range from mild to severe. Mild symptoms include headache and tremor, while severe symptoms such as delerium tremens and seizures, may become life threatening. Often patients experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms require hospitalization for the detoxification process. Part of detoxification includes replenishing certain vitamins, which are often lacking in the diets of alcoholic patients.
Thiamine
Vitamin B1 is also known as thiamine. Patients with alcoholism often have very low levels of this vitamin, which is found in foods such as meats and eggs as well as green, leafy vegetables. It Patients can also receive thiamine via an intravenous line or by mouth as a pill. As explained in the National Institutes of Health website, MedlinePlus, the concern with thiamine deficiency is that too little thiamine can lead to a condition called Wernicke's encephalopathy, in which the brain itself becomes damaged by the lack of thiamine. In such cases, symptoms such as confusion, lack of coordination, and abnormal eye movements will arise. If the thiamine deficiency continues, Wernicke encephalopathy can worsen, leading to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. This is a progression of the Wernicke encephalopathy and results in damage to the structures of the brain associated with memory formation. Patients who have developed Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome become unable to form new memories and make up stories to help deal with this inability; this is called confabulation. While Wernicke encephalopathy is potentially reversible, patients who have developed Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome will have irreversible damage; their memory will not improve from treatment with thiamine.
Folate
Folate is a B vitamin found in many breakfast cereals, which are fortified with it; leafy green vegetables, such as spinach; and citrus fruits, such as oranges. According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, symptoms of folate deficiency may include fatigue, weakness, irritability or diarrhea. Those with a folate deficiency have the potential of developing a certain type of anemia called macrocytic anemia, in which the red blood cells become larger than usual. These abnormal red blood cells cannot carry as much oxygen to the tissues of the body, and result in symptoms such as a sore tongue or mouth, paleness and headaches.
Multivitamin with B12
Alcoholic patients often become deficient in many vitamins -- as the alcoholism worsens, a healthy diet becomes less of a concern than drinking enough alcohol to stave off withdrawal symptoms. Because of this, another standard part of alcohol withdrawal treatment includes offering patients a multivitamin, to help replenish the low stores of vitamins. One vitamin often lacking is vitamin B12. Similar to folate, B12 is a B vitamin required for normal red blood cell formation. Low levels of B12 can result in the development of macrocytic anemia; according to MedlinePlus, symptoms that may occur include headaches, pallor, and tongue soreness. In severe cases of B12 deficiency, nerve damage may occur, leading to patients experiencing numbness or tingling in the hands and feet as well as problems with balance. Psychiatric indications of a severe B12 deficiency include confusion or dementia as well as depression. Treatment of B12 deficiency-related symptoms includes taking B12 supplements, eating a balanced diet that contains adequate amounts of B12 and, if necessary, receiving injections of vitamin B12 to ensure that the deficiency does not recur.
