The kindling effect of alcohol refers to a phenomenon where repeated episodes of alcohol withdrawal become progressively more severe and dangerous over time.
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.
What is Alcoholism?
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.
Alcohol is a widely available, legal substance in the US. Although there are laws restricting children under the age of 18 from purchasing alcohol, alcohol can be procured pretty much anywhere. Many adults do not enjoy drinking at all, and some enjoy drinking in moderation.
The problem is that some people use alcohol in dangerous amounts. The main reason people abuse alcohol is to block out negative emotions and experience a euphoric ‘high’ instead. Negative emotions include stress, hurt, frustration, guilt, loneliness, depression, anxiety, and overwhelm.
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 effect of this is that every time an alcoholic abstains from alcohol- for any amount of time- the body has to adjust to surviving without the substance in the body. The way it works is that 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 drinks again, 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.
Who is At Risk of The Alcohol 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 kindling effect during alcohol withdrawal.
Withdrawal Effects of Alcohol
Withdrawal effects can start just 6 hours after the last drink. Although early 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.
Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol include:
- Mild depression
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Nausea
More severe symptoms, which usually occur after a day or two of the last dose, 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 d 3 days after the last drink of alcohol. 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?
Alcoholic kindling is an unfortunate result of too many relapses. A relapse is when an alcoholic goes sober for a certain period of time but then starts drinking again.
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, which is relapse.
- 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- Other than a strong support system, there are many factors to a recovery plan after rehab. This could include weekly therapy sessions, attending 12-step meetings, and caring for physical and emotional health. Part of the long-term recovery plan would also be practicing a healthy diet, proper sleep hygiene, personal hygiene, maintaining a job, and having a safe place to live. Failure to engage in a strong recovery plan can lead to relapse.
- Triggers- A trigger could be a smell, a person, a video clip- anything. It could remind a person of something that happened a long time ago that may be at the root of the addictive behaviors today. Reliving traumas is a very disturbing occurrence that, 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. Taking care of the mental health issue with a competent therapist/psychiatrist makes it very 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 obvious way to avoid the kindling effect is by retaining your sobriety with a strong support system and a solid recovery plan. Because relapse is part of the recovery process for most recovery alcoholics, avoiding too many relapses may not be feasible. In that case, it is imperative for the alcoholic to receive treatment as early as possible after each relapse to prevent further damage.
Help for Alcohol Addiction at Avenues Recovery
If you or your loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, you may be concerned about the kindling effect. You’re likely feeling lonely, misunderstood, and isolated from the rest of the world. At Avenues Recovery, we want you to know you are not alone.
We’ve seen hundreds of alcoholics enter recovery in a state of hopelessness and despair and then emerge after in-patient rehab serene, secure, and free. We have incredibly devoted and professional staff who have guided alcoholics like you until they got their lives back under control.
Take action today to start your journey to recovery. Join hundreds of alcoholics who support each other, cheer each other on, and help each other stay sober. You don’t have to be alone, and you don’t have to be in despair. Reach out today to start your path to serenity.