Changes

==Alcohol withdrawal==

==Alcohol withdrawal==

As noted above, alcohol withdrawal is a primary feature of alcoholism.  Withdrawal can occur when a person who is normally a heavy drinker tries to quit or is unable to obtain alcohol.  Unlike withdrawal from other drugs, alcohol withdrawal can lead directly to death.  Heavy drinking reduces the brain's supply of [[GABA]].  Both alcohol and GABA limit the firing of [[synapse]]s in the brain.  When neither is present in sufficient amounts, uncontrolled firing of synapses may occur, causing [[delirium tremens]] ("the DTs").  Symptoms of delirium tremens include hallucinations, convulsions, seizures, and heart failure.  Delirium tremens can be controlled fairly easily with medical supervision, often with the use of [[benzodiazepine]]s.

As noted above, alcohol withdrawal is a primary feature of alcoholism.  Withdrawal can occur when a person who is normally a heavy drinker tries to quit or is unable to obtain alcohol.  Alcohol withdrawal can lead directly to death.  Heavy drinking reduces the brain's supply of [[GABA]].  Both alcohol and GABA limit the firing of [[synapse]]s in the brain.  When neither is present in sufficient amounts, uncontrolled firing of synapses may occur, causing [[delirium tremens]] ("the DTs").  Symptoms of delirium tremens include hallucinations, convulsions, seizures, and heart failure.  Delirium tremens can be controlled fairly easily with medical supervision, often with the use of [[benzodiazepine]]s.

==Treatment==

==Treatment==