Related symptoms Depression , anxiety, sleeplessness, and malnutrition often precede the DTs. There may be fever , increased heart rate, sweating, and pain in the stomach or chest. In severe cases the brain function is so impaired that death results. Associations Often chronic alcoholism has weakened the liver , which can lead to cirrhosis. Malnutrition connected to alcohol abuse contributes to alcoholic dementia , which stems largely from a lack of B vitamins and is initially reversible.
Permanent dementia can result as well.
If addiction to alcohol is stopped before it causes permanent changes in the brain , ceasing to drink will not lead to delirium tremens. If a person is having an attack of the DTs, call an ambulance or 911. Do not let the person eat or drink anything, since doctors may have to pump the stomach . Never leave a delirious person alone, even if he or she seems suddenly rational. Relapses into delirium occur suddenly and the person may wander away.