Alcohol and Opioid Withdrawal: What You Need to Know

Have you ever wondered about the difference between alcohol withdrawal and drug withdrawal? In this episode, Dr. Ferghal Armstrong breaks down alcohol withdrawal vs drug withdrawal, shedding light on the unique signs and timelines of each.

Explore the world of intoxication and withdrawal—from pinpoint pupils in opioid intoxication to cerebellar signs in alcohol intoxication. Learn to recognize the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, including seizures, hallucinations, autonomic hyperarousal, delirium tremens, insomnia, and agitation.

Discover how these differ from opioid withdrawal, which presents with flu-like symptoms, yawning, and anxiety.Dr. Armstrong walks you through the alcohol withdrawal timeline, compares it to opioid withdrawal, and explains the neurobiology behind neuroexcitation and psychiatric arousal.

This is essential knowledge for understanding substance use, whether you're a health professional or simply curious about the human brain.

This video also touches on the role of medications like benzodiazepines and tramadol, and how respiratory depression can be a critical concern in certain types of intoxication.

00:00:00 Introduction to Intoxication and Withdrawal

00:00:50 Intoxication: Pupils and Seizures

00:02:37 Intoxication and Bowel Sounds

00:03:37 Alcohol and Opioid Intoxication Differences

00:03:37 Withdrawal: General Phenomena

00:04:27 Alcohol vs. Opioid Withdrawal

00:05:16 Summary and Conclusion