Alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a medical condition characterized by an individual's inability to control or stop drinking alcohol, despite negative consequences. It involves both physical and psychological dependence on alcohol and can severely impact a person's health, relationships, and daily life. Withdrawing from alcohol repeatedly can lead to a dangerous phenomenon known as the kindling effect.
Join Avenues Recovery, leaders in addiction recovery, as we define the kindling effect, explore why it happens, and learn how to avoid it.
What Is Kindling in Alcoholism?
Kindling in alcoholism refers to the worsening of alcohol withdrawal symptoms with each repeated detox episode. As withdrawal occurs more frequently, the brain becomes more sensitive, leading to more severe symptoms like seizures, anxiety, and tremors. This makes repeated relapses increasingly dangerous.
People who are addicted to alcohol may attempt, at some point or another, to quit alcohol completely. Like drugs, quitting alcohol triggers unpleasant and intense withdrawal symptoms.
People who stop using alcohol, then relapse, and try to become sober again will experience the kindling effect. This means that every time they attempt to sober up and stop using alcohol, the withdrawal effects intensify until they become dangerous.
Why Alcohol Withdrawal Kindling Happens
As an alcoholic consistently abuses alcohol, the body develops an increasing dependence on the substance. This means that, with time, the body cannot function optimally without its usual fix of alcohol. After a period of time, the amount of alcohol needed for the body to function increases because the body develops tolerance to the alcohol. This causes the alcoholic to increase the dose to experience the same effects as previously.
The impact of this is that every time an alcoholic abstains from alcohol, the body has to adjust to surviving without the substance present in the body. The flood of GABA neurons in the brain that are activated when alcohol is consumed becomes sensitive when the alcoholic abstains from drinking.
When the alcoholic then relapses and drinks, the neurotransmitters are suddenly bombarded again, causing a stark imbalance in the brain and body. Every time the stop and start of neurons in the brain occurs (due to sobriety and relapse), the toll is worse on the brain and body, eventually leading to the kindling effect of alcohol.
Who Is At Risk of the Alcoholic Kindling Effect?
Alcoholics who have entered recovery but relapsed several times are at risk of experiencing the kindling effect. In addiction recovery, relapse is normal - it’s part of the process. However, it’s imperative that recovered alcoholics put a solid plan in place to maintain their sobriety so that they are not at risk of developing the kindling effect after multiple relapses.
It’s important to mention that not every alcoholic with a history of several relapses will experience the kindling effect. Alcohol, like any other substance, has a different effect on every person, so although recovered alcoholics who have relapsed multiple times are at risk, not every case will experience the alcohol withdrawal kindling effect.
Symptoms of the Kindling Effect of Alcohol Withdrawal
Kindling effects can start after only one or two relapses. Although early alcohol withdrawal symptoms aren’t too severe, some people find them too difficult to handle, prompting them to drink again to relieve themselves of the discomfort.
As the kindling effect progresses, the following symptoms tend to worsen.
Mild symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Tremors (shaking hands)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating
- Headache
- Palpitations
Severe symptoms include:
- Seizures
- Confusion
- High blood pressure
- Unusually heavy sweating
- Fever
- Increased heart rate
Delirium Tremens
Delirium tremens (DT) is a severe withdrawal symptom that can occur around 3 days after the last drink of alcohol, with an 8% mortality rate. The kindling effect increases the risk of delirium tremens, which can be fatal if not treated properly. Symptoms of DT mirror those of mental illness, including hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, body tremors, irritability, severe fatigue, rapid mood swings, fever, loss of appetite, and chest pain.
Kindling Alcohol: Why Do People Relapse?
There are many reasons why people relapse, including:
- Withdrawal symptoms: As mentioned previously, the withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol sobriety are uncomfortable at best and dangerous at worst. Many people feel as though the withdrawal symptoms, which can last up to a few weeks after the last dose, are too difficult to manage. Taking another fix of alcohol relieves them of the intense withdrawal symptoms.
- Support system: After attending rehab, recovered alcoholics need a strong support system in place to help them retain their recovery. Spending time with toxic or unhealthy people, especially those who have been a part of their previous addicted lives, can trigger a relapse.
- Recovery plan: A recovery plan after rehab could include weekly therapy sessions, attending 12-step meetings, and caring for physical and emotional health, including practicing a healthy diet, proper sleep hygiene, personal hygiene, maintaining a job, and having a safe place to live.
- Triggers: A trigger could be a smell, a person, a video clip, or anything that reminds a person of something from the past that may be at the root of their addictive behaviors. Reliving traumas is very disturbing, and, if not dealt with correctly, can cause a relapse.
- Mental health: Some alcoholics struggle with co-occurring mental health issues such as bipolar disorder, depression, or schizophrenia. Treating the mental health issue with a competent therapist/psychiatrist makes it possible to retain sobriety. However, without addressing their mental health conditions, many people end up relapsing.
- Overconfidence: An addict, as they say, is always an addict. An alcoholic who becomes too confident in their ability to stay sober may stop using the tools of recovery needed to stay sober. In other words, recovered alcoholics who aren’t humble and accepting of the fact that they need to constantly work on staying sober could relapse.
How to Avoid the Kindling Effect
The best way to avoid the kindling effect is by retaining your sobriety with a strong support system and a solid recovery plan. Since relapse is part of the recovery process for most alcoholics, it may be difficult to avoid too many relapses. If relapses do occur, it is imperative for the alcoholic to receive treatment as early as possible after each relapse to prevent further damage.
Treat Alcohol Addiction at Avenues Recovery
If you or your loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, you may be concerned about the kindling effect. As explained above, putting a strong support system and a feasible recovery plan in place can help prevent relapse and avoid alcoholic kindling. At Avenues Recovery, our devoted and professional staff are experienced in guiding alcoholics toward recovery. Our community of recovering and recovered addicts support each other, cheer each other on, and help each other stay sober. Reach out to one of our guidance counselors to discover how you or your loved one can also benefit from our strong support system and tried-and-tested recovery plans.