Substance Use Disorder: A Case of Alcohol Withdrawal in a 40 Year Old Man

Abstract

Alcohol withdrawal is a clinical state characterized by symptoms such as tremors, tachycardia, sweating, nausea and vomiting, headache, malaise, insomnia, grand mal convulsions amongst others. Patients typically present acutely with a history of recent cessation or reduction of heavy alcohol use after a long period of repeated, persistent use. It may feature perceptual disturbances such as illusions or hallucinations. It may present with delirium in a condition known as delirium tremens, which typically occurs after recent cessation or reduction of very heavy alcohol use in patients with a long-standing history of alcohol dependence syndrome, who may also have coexisting medical conditions. We herein report a case of a 40 year old man, with a 12-month history of persistent alcohol use, who presented with classical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal including inability to sleep, excessive sweating, tachycardia, vomiting, and hallucinations. There is no associated history of convulsions or co-morbid medical conditions. Features of this case are discussed, as well as evaluation and treatment of alcohol withdrawal.