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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]As PP noted, seizures aren't usually caused by withdrawal from opiates, so that doctor was correct to do further testing. Alcohol and benzo withdrawal can cause seizures, and patients in rehab would be transferred to a hospital for further observation/testing/medical care.

It seems as though you want to judge your friends instead of actually understand acute substance withdrawal. Were you in the room with them and their doctor? I'm guessing not. So you don't know what their doctors actually said. You mention 'lies and subterfuge and manipulation' - those behaviors can be consistent with active addiction. But I don't think you actually have a health related question or concern. [/quote]

My friend was withdrawing from alcohol, benzos, and opiates.

I'm trying to understand how seizures affect rehab efforts. I'm trying to understand why (or if) doctors really do ignore the most likely cause of the seizures thereby delaying rehab. And I'm commenting on the phenomenon I see of addicts using their mystery seizures to deflect from the real problem. 
[/quote]

So the opioid problem is separate. I mean it's a different medical problem. What kills opioid addicts first is that fentanyl is in everything and it's very easy to OD. Secondly, what kills them is that after they've detoxed, they often go back out and use again. However, now they have no tolerance at all, and then it's really easy to OD. But the withdrawal itself isn't a big problem. It's super uncomfortable, but nothing really serious happens to the human body as they go through it.

Alcohol and benzos are the bigger problem when it comes to withdrawal. And it is very common. Every emergency room in America is familiar with the alcoholics in particular. If you walk into any ER and say hi, I'm in alcoholic in withdrawal, and I experience seizures, you will immediately be treated regardless of your insurance situation. Most ERs will use a CIWA scale - it's a protocol to treat alcohol withdrawal. If it's severe, you will immediately have IVs running into both arms and you will be a high priority patient. Word of advice - don't show up drunk. Hospital staff hate that. Wait until symptoms of withdrawal are kicking in and they'll know what to do.

Substance abuse rehabs also typically have a detox ward. They treat it everyday so they are usually very competent. Occasionally, of course, there will be patients that belong in intensive care - and that's where they will be sent before admittance to the rest of the rehab program, which is usually a 30-90 day stay. Though unfortunately insurance sometimes kicks people out after a mere 7-14 days. Which is too bad.

Regular GPs, however, are often woefully ill-informed about addiction, the effects of the various drugs, and treatment protocols for withdrawal. Urgent Cares too. And both generally don't want to deal with alcohol withdrawal at all, because it can be very serious. And benzo withdrawal is even more complicated since it has a much longer timeline.

So, the hospital or detox at a rehab are usually the only options for addicts needing medical assistance to get through withdrawal. The seizures your friends are experiencing are no doubt related to withdrawal. But as long as they are honest with the nurses and doctors at any hospital or rehab, it's nothing unusual. It's treated every single day in every hospital in America.

But if they are lying about their substance abuse, then yes, the cause of seizures might be perplexing for doctors. But tell them there's a history of alcohol or benzos, then it's not a mystery at all. Frankly, it sounds like your friends don't want to clean up. In which case, nothing can be done. [/quote]

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