Seizures occur in about 3% cases of alcohol withdrawal. They usually appear within 48 hours after abrupt cessation, and are characterized by a reduction in seizure threshold secondary to adaptation to alcohol. More than 50% of individuals will experience a new seizure and in 5% of these cases, progression to a sustained epilepticus status can occur.

The aim is to do a review of the literature on alcohol withdrawal and the onset of seizures in individuals with alcohol addiction.

A literature review was conducted using the PubMed search database.

Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant and chronic consumption causes neuroadaptation in order to maintain homeostasis. This adaptation involves the upregulation of excitatory neurotransmitters systems and the downregulation of inhibitory ones. When consumption is abruptly discontinued, the depressive contribution of alcohol to a previously established balance is disrupted, resulting in withdrawal symptoms associated to a generalized CNS’ hyperexcitability state.Critical episodes increase the risk of delirium tremens, a fatal condition in 20% of untreated cases. Thus, the treatment and prevention of seizure recurrences is essential: the clinical guidelines of the American Society of Addiction Medicine 2020, offer an action proposal. Pharmacological therapy after seizures is the preferential treatment: intravenous administration of fast-acting benzodiazepines (lorazepam and diazepam) is the first line treatment.

It is essential to monitor signs and symptoms that alert us to the appearance of seizures associated to alcohol withdrawal, effectively treat these cases, prevent recurrences, and provide a quality follow-up for these patients.

No significant relationships.

Alcohol abuse can be the cause for psychotic disorders. In the International Classification of Diseases (ICD10) they are coded F10.4-F10.9. One of the potentially life-threatening complications is the development of alcohol delirium. Mortality rates in patients with untreated alcohol delirium reach 15%. It is extremely important to identify the risk factors that contribute to the development of delirium in time to ensure the most effective treatment and to ensure the patient’s potential survival in the hospitalization and post-hospitalization phase.

To analyze and evaluate the risk factors that have coused alcohol withdrawal with the development of delirium in patients admitted at the department of Narcology of the Riga Psychiatry and Narcology Center in 2018.

This study is a retrospectively conducted cohort study based on data from inpatient medical records for patients diagnosed with alcohol-induced delirium at the Department of Narcology of the Riga Psychiatry and Narcology Center in Year 2018.

In the Riga Psychiatry and Narcology Center 113 patients were diagnosed alcohol caused delirium. That makes up to 8% of all inpatients in year 2018. Summary of the prevalence of the most significant risk factors in 2018 inpatients with alcohol delirium.

The study indicated that some easily determined parameters are potential clinical predictors for the development of delirium tremens.

No significant relationships.

Delirium tremens (DT) is one of the most serious complications of alcohol withdrawal, affecting 5–10% of in-patients with a mortality rate up to 15%. DT, characterised by delirium and tremors, appears within 48–72 h of abstinence and persists for about 5–10 days.

We report a case of DT in a young man with delayed onset on the 15th day after the cessation of alcohol use, despite an uncomplicated detoxification with benzodiazepine treatment.

We hypothesise that the intake of country liquor in our patient, which contains higher percentages of alcohol, causes a prolonged imbalance of N-methyl-d-aspartic acid and glutamate receptor activity, leading to the picture of delayed-onset DT and that an atypical presentation at the time of admission and atypicality in early course are clinical pointers to the subsequent development of delayed-onset DT.