Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) Practice

During Stage 3 alcohol withdrawal, grand mal seizures can occur as a result of the body’s adjustment to the absence of alcohol. This stage, also known as severe withdrawal, can be particularly dangerous and typically includes a variety of symptoms that result from the central nervous system experiencing significant dysregulation after prolonged alcohol use. Grand mal seizures happen due to the hyperexcitability of the nervous system when alcohol, a depressant, is suddenly removed. It is essential to recognize that these seizures are a medical emergency, and immediate intervention is necessary to prevent further complications or injury. The symptoms associated with earlier stages of withdrawal can include intense tremors, nausea, profound confusion, hallucinations, increased heart rate, and elevated blood pressure, but these are more characteristic of the initial stages, rather than the severe manifestations that are typically seen in Stage 3. Understanding the severity of symptoms at different stages of withdrawal is crucial for appropriate assessment and management in patients undergoing alcohol detoxification.