In alcohol withdrawal syndrome, a person's nervous system goes into hyperactivity mode, a result of the "brain's attempt to function normally despite the inhibitory effect of chronic alcohol consumption," according to a National Institute of Health study.

In other words, if you're an alcoholic and stop drinking abruptly, your body and mind could pay a heavy price with seizures, hallucinations and even death as possible consequences.

That's why it's important to seek medical help if you plan to quit cold turkey. You can get help in an alcohol treatment center, hospital and/or a specialized detoxification center.

Causes
If you consume excessive amounts of alcohol and then suddenly stop drinking, you may experience alcohol withdrawal syndrome. According to an article in the New York Times, the following is considered excessive alcohol use:

  • More than 15 drinks per week for men or 8 drinks per week for women
  • More than 5 drinks per day for men or 4 drinks per day for women
  • Habitual use of alcohol that disrupts a person's life and routines, regardless of amount consumed

One drink is equal to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 90 proof spirits.

Also according to the article, "the more heavily you drink every day, the more likely you will develop alcohol withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking. The likelihood of developing severe withdrawal symptoms also increases if you have other medical problems."

Other factors that increase the chance for bad withdrawal symptoms are having had withdrawal symptoms in the past as well as having other health problems such heart disease, lung disease, infections and a history of seizures. Also, people who quit using drugs such as tobacco or cocaine have a higher risk of severe withdrawal problems.

Symptoms
Symptoms can be mild or severe, and may include the following, according to an article published in American Family Physician:

Minor withdrawal symptoms in 6 to 12 hours: insomnia, tremulousness, mild anxiety, gastrointestinal upset, headache, diaphoresis, palpitations, anorexia. These symptoms follow the cessation of drinking and sometimes before the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) has returned to zero.

Alcoholic hallucinosis in 12 to 24 hours: visual, auditory, or tactile hallucinations

Withdrawal seizures in 24 to 48 hours: generalized tonic-clonic seizures. These are more common in people with a history of multiple episodes of detox. But they can occur in people who have no history of detox. If that's the case, the patient may have a history of fever or trauma.

Alcohol withdrawal delirium (delirium tremens) in 48 to 72 hours: hallucinations (predominately visual), disorientation, tachycardia, hypertension, low-grade fever, agitation, diaphoresis.

Testing for Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
If you are a heavy drinker, never quit cold turkey without first consulting a doctor. If you do quit and are concerned about withdrawal, see a doctor immediately. Their examination will look at these health issues:

  • Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
  • Rapid breathing (tachypnea)
  • Elevated temperature
  • Shaky eye movements
  • Shaky hands
  • General body shaking
  • Internal bleeding
  • Liver failure
  • Dehydration

Treatment
The immediate goals are to treat the symptoms and prevent complications of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Long-term rehab is the secondary process with abstinence as the ultimate goal.
In treatment, whether it's a detox facility or hospital, the following patient health signs will be monitored:

  • Heart rate
  • Blood pressure
  • Body temperature
  • Breathing
  • Fluid and electrolyte levels

Patients will often be given fluids (vitamins and minerals) or medication through an IV. Because the central nervous system goes into high gear, sedatives like benzodiazepines are often used to reduce symptoms, in particular, seizures. Anti-psychotic medicines are used to treat hallucinations.

The patient is usually placed in a sedated state for about a week until the withdrawal symptoms disappear. Once withdrawal is complete, alcohol rehabilitation is the next step. This can be accomplished at a treatment center or with outpatient therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, medications and support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART recovery.

Conclusion
With an abrupt cessation of drinking comes alcohol withdrawal syndrome and a potentially long list of mild to severe symptoms ranging from sweating to shaky hands to seizures. In the worst cases, death is an end result. If you want to quit alcohol cold turkey, talk to a doctor first. In a detox facility, the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be safely managed.

Sources:
http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh21-2/149.pdf
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/addictions/alcohol/007.html
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/0315/p1443.html
http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/alcohol-withdrawal/overview.html
http://www2.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab005063.html