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What is the most important information I should know about DT?

Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous and potentially fatal.

Alcohol is a depressant, which slows down the central nervous system.

Sick woman lying in bed

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Chronic, heavy alcohol use can change how the brain works, including how chemical messengers function.

Delirium tremens is serious and potentially fatal.

DTs are even more probable when food consumption is lower too.

Delirium Tremens Symptoms

Delirium tremens symptoms can be both physical and psychological.

If you or someone you know has signs of delirium tremens, seek medical care immediately.

This assessment can help them gauge the nature andseverity of symptoms.

This involves implementing both acute care (short-term) and long-term delirium tremens treatment strategies.

In the past, the mortality rate for people with DTs was around 35%.

These medicines can help relieve the anxiety associated with severe, acute alcohol withdrawal.

Heavy alcohol use can also result innutritional deficiencies.

These treatments can includegroup therapy,cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT), and sobriety support groups.

If you need help to stop drinking, there are resources that can help you.

Groups such asAlcoholics AnonymousandAl-Anoncan provide information and offer social support as you go through this process.

you could evenattend meetings online.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

They include:

Grover S, Ghosh A.Delirium tremens: Assessment and management.J Clin Experim Hepatol.

2018;8(4):460-470. doi:10.1016/j.jceh.2018.04.012

Day E, Daly C.Clinical management of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome.Addiction.

2014;371(22):2109-13. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1407298

U.S. National Library of Medicine.Delirium tremens.

Elliott D.Caring for hospitalized patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome.Nurs Critic Care.

2018;53(3):118-122. doi:10.1708/2925.29413

Gray R, Kouadio A, Daeppen JB.

[Nutrition disorders and alcohol use disorder].Rev Med Suisse.

2019;15(654):1177-1180.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol’s effects on the body.

U.S. National Library of Medicine.Alcoholic neuropathy.

National Organization for Rare Disorders.Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Alcohol use and your health.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Detoxification and substance abuse treatment [Internet].