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Alcohol withdrawal - Overview

Alternative Names

Detoxification - alcohol; Detox - alcohol

Definition of Alcohol withdrawal:

Alcohol withdrawal refers to symptoms that may occur when a person who has been drinking too much alcohol every day suddenly stops drinking alcohol.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Alcohol withdrawal occurs most often in adults, but it may occur in teenagers or children.

The more you drink every day, the more likely you are to develop alcohol withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking.

You may have more severe withdrawal symptoms if you have certain other medical problems.

  • Reviewed last on: 3/20/2011
  • David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine.

References

O’Connor PG. Alcohol abuse and dependence. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 31.

In the clinic. Alcohol use. Ann Intern Med. 2009 Mar 3;150(5).

Schuckit MA. Alcohol-use disorders. Lancet. 2009;373:492-501.

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