Kindling in Alcohol Withdrawal Howard C. Becker, Ph.D.

In many alcoholics, the severity of withdrawal symptoms increases after repeated withdrawal
episodes. This exacerbation may be attributable to a kindling process. Kindling is a
phenomenon in which a weak electrical or chemical stimulus, which initially causes no overt
behavioral responses, results in the appearance of behavioral effects, such as seizures, when
it is administered repeatedly. Both clinical and experimental evidence support the existence
of a kindling mechanism during alcohol withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures,
result from neurochemical imbalances in the brain of alcoholics who suddenly reduce or
cease alcohol consumption. These imbalances may be exacerbated after repeated withdrawal
experiences. The existence of kindling during withdrawal suggests that even patients
experiencing mild withdrawal should be treated aggressively to prevent the increase in
severity of subsequent withdrawal episodes. Kindling also may contribute to a patient’s
relapse risk and to alcohol-related brain damage and cognitive impairment. KEY WORDS: AOD
withdrawal syndrome;

more...