The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 6.9 percent of Americans were heavy drinkers of alcohol in 2008. There can be health dangers during the detoxification ("detox") period after heaving drinking. During this time, the body processes and excretes alcohol from the body and readjusts to operating without alcohol in the system. MedlinePlus reports that the symptoms of alcohol detox usually occur 5 to 10 hours after the last drink, but can occur days later.
Convulsions
One serious danger during alcohol detox is convulsions (seizures) that may occur within the first 2 days of abstinence, according to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). NIAAA also reports that convulsions may affect up to 5 to 10 percent of patients undergoing medical detox. Convulsions are characterized by a rapid uncontrollable shaking of the body caused by repeated contraction and relaxation of the muscles. Additionally, convulsions can include a period of blackout followed by confusion, drooling, rapid eye movement, grunting, loss of bladder or bowel control, clenching of teeth and/or a temporary halt in breathing. MedlinePlus advises seeking immediate medical attention if this is the first time a person has had a seizure or if the seizure lasts more than 2 to 5 minutes.
Delirium Tremens
Another alcohol detox danger is delirium, which The Merck Manual, an online medical library, describes as a severe state of confusion that often includes hallucinations. Delirium is in common older people who are not heavy drinkers of alcohol. However, the specific delirium that occurs during alcohol detox is termed delirium tremens or DT. NIAAA offers more information about DT, reporting that people with DT become agitated, disoriented, confused, and often have delusions and vivid hallucinations. DAT may last for up to 96 hours after drinking is stopped.
Other Dangers
Alcohol detox is often associated with other symptoms that can represent dangers to health. These dangers affect about 10 percent of alcoholics undergoing detox. Symptoms result from elevated body temperature and hyperactivity of the nervous system. They include very high blood pressure, heart rate and breathing rate. A class of drugs called benzodiazepines is often described during medical detox to reduce the level of nerve system hyperactivation. Changes in body fluid levels and changes in the body's electrolytes may also lead to serious health problems. For example, it is important that sodium and potassium (types of electrolytes) remain at appropriate levels in the body for bodily functions to operate normally. If the levels of these electrolytes get too unbalanced, body systems may not operate normally.
