alcohol-induced seizures

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My DS (18) was found in the street in the early hours this morning, having a seizure. he had two more and needed CPR. Miraculously, he appears fine now, after spending much of the day in A&E.
How common are alcohol-induced seizures? he doesn't ordinarily have them (apart from as a newborn, he had a couple of 'odd' moments, but had an EEG and all was ok). I'm worried that he has - or will develop - epilepsy. I've never heard of anyone having seizures through alcohol (I know it's common in withdrawal, but this was after a night's drinking, from what I can understand). I know that he drinks too much, but I wonder just how much he's drinking to trigger a seizure (he's very cagey about amounts).
I'd be really grateful if someone has any knowledge or advice on this.

bump

in my experience, they tend to happen (as you say yourself) only after withdrawals set in - usually a chronic drinker. However, if you son has had episodes of some sort in the past then maybe he’s more prone to them. Sorry, not a huge help but I would recommend speaking to your gp. I have 2 family members who both used to experience seizures but they were heavy long term drinkers and one also had other health issues.

I hope you’re ok and your son is recovering.

would he consider seeking help with his drinking?

I really don't know OP but bumping for you and hope all is ok x

I'm hoping someone with more medical knowledge will come along but it doesn't seem like withdrawal if he was on a night out. I'm not sure that helps at all, sorry. It could definitely be due to the amount though and if he's being cagey then it probably is a lot. I say this as an ex- alcoholic who has spent time in rehab. I think a serious discussion is on the cards.

Most unusual if not related to withdrawals.

I would be pushing GP for neurological screening.

it’s not just withdrawal that causes seizures - acutely intoxication can too.

OP it sounds like you’d be better asking the team looking after him as they’ll have a better idea of the exact sequence of events. There are a few scenarios that spring to mind and the icu team/physicians looking after him should be able to explain what seems like the most likely one for him. Hope it all turns out well. (Doi: anaesth/icu doc).

Alcohol can reduce seizure threshold so it isn't just something that can happen through withdrawal. This does need to be followed up however and I would have thought a referral to neurology will have been made, especially if your health board holds 'first seizure clinic'.

Thank you so much for your replies.
He knows he drinks too much and always promises not to, but he gets swept away with others. I'm marching him down to the gps next week anyway & will include my concerns over the seizures.

Pseudo seizure more than likely

What's that?

A pseudo seizure is something that looks and behaves like a seizure, but isn't epilepsy related.

Ultimately, it's hard to tell what's going on without further investigation. I have known seizures to develop in early adulthood, initially triggered through heavy alcohol usage.

But requiring CPR is very serious and resuscitation comes with its own set of risks.

My DD started having seizures when she was 18. Usually whilst she was on a night out.

She was eventually diagnosed with epilepsy.

Apparently it is common to develop it in late teens.

Her triggers are alcohol and strobe/flashing lighting (nightclub lighting).

She now doesn't drink or go to places with strobe lighting.

She is medicated and rarely has seizures.

Are you sure it was just alcohol involved and no drugs?

My DD1 had a couple of seizures after too much booze (as a medical student!!!! so fellow medics took care of her and didn't get help!)
Then after a tonsilectomy at 22 she had a series of massive tonic clonic seizures while in recovery so still in hospital... saw a neuro and she wasn't diagnosed with epilepsy, but warned that she has a low seizure threshold and anything sedating was a risk.
Doesn't drink any more, and touch wood no seizures for a few years.