Delirium tremens are severe hallucinations that are caused by an alcoholic's withdrawal from alcohol. Also known as the "DTs." This condition may also be caused by excessive overuse of benzodiazepines.

The hallucinations that accompany delirium tremens may be auditory, visual, or even tactile. One terrifying form of a tactile hallucination is formication, in which the person feels as if insects are crawling in or underneath the skin. Alcoholics experiencing delirium tremens are in urgent need of medical care, and they should be treated in a hospital or rehabilitative center staffed with physicians. Some medications, such as sedatives such as benzodiazepines, may enable the patient who has delirium tremens to be more comfortable while undergoing withdrawal from alcohol.

Individuals who have delirium tremens are extremely ill, and they can die if they are not treated by experienced physicians and nurses in an inpatient environment. They should not be treated as outpatients.

The symptoms of delirium tremens are clear to most physicians. Even those who do not recognize delirium tremens clearly see that there is something wrong with the individual.

Common symptoms are

- mental confusion

- severe tremor

- hallucinations

- extreme sweating

- seizures

- nausea and vomiting

- insomnia

- fever

Detoxification from alcohol is usually best accomplished in an inpatient rehabilitative center. Delirium tremens is a relatively uncommon degree of withdrawal, and generally this problem only occurs with severe alcoholic usage: more than a fifth of hard liquor daily for lengthy periods or substantial doses of benzodiazepines far exceeding what is commonly prescribed.

If severe delirium tremens occurs, permanent brain damage may result from seizures and fever, and coma may occur. However, if it is appropriately treated, other long-term problems related to alcohol abuse may occur, but those connected specifically to delirium tremens should not.

Long-term alcoholism or benzodiazepine abuse has the greatest risk for producing delirium tremens. Preventing delirium tremens involves the use of appropriate medications to manage alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal. Avoiding the use of excessive doses of alcohol or benzodiazepines prevents the development of the tolerance and dependence that are required to develop delirium tremens.

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