To determine if there is an increase in the risk of seizure activity when patients experience recurrent alcohol detoxifications, we reviewed the detoxification and seizure histories of 256 men and 45 women voluntarily admitted to a 5-day in-patient detoxification program. Structural brain damage,
focal neurologic deficits, epileptogenic findings on electroencephalograms, and provocative
drug use were all considered pertinent variables for seizure risk.
Seizures did not occur during alcohol detoxification in any of the study patients, despite a high incidence of antecedent
seizures and provocative
drug use. Oral
chlordiazepoxide use during detoxification was associated with the elimination of withdrawal
seizures. Of all 301 patients, 64 had a history of
seizures, 42 had significantly abnormal electroencephalograms during detoxification, and 30 had focal slowing on the electroencephalogram. There was no correlation between the duration of
alcohol abuse or lifetime consumption of alcohol and seizure activity. There was, however, a significant correlation between the number of inpatient alcohol detoxifications and the prevalence of
seizure disorders. This correlation held true even when provocative
drug use was taken into consideration.