Final answer:
Ophelia's terrifying visual hallucinations during alcohol withdrawal are known as delirium tremens, a severe and potentially life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention.
Step-by-step explanation:
The terrifying visual hallucinations experienced by Ophelia during withdrawal from long-term serious drinking are known as delirium tremens. This condition is commonly associated with abrupt cessation or reduction of alcohol consumption in individuals who have been drinking heavily for an extended period.
Delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that presents with symptoms such as hallucinations, severe confusion, tremors, and agitation. This state represents a medical emergency and requires immediate attention. It is distinct from Korsakoff's syndrome, which involves memory deficits and confabulation, anxiolysis, which refers to the reduction of anxiety typically induced by central nervous system depressants, and cirrhosis, which is scarring of the liver due to long-term liver damage.
Due to the physiological changes in the brain associated with chronic alcohol consumption, sudden discontinuation can lead to an imbalance in neurotransmitter activity, primarily between the inhibitory and excitatory systems, causing excessive excitatory neurotransmission and leading to symptoms of withdrawal.