Final answer:
The brain adapts to the presence of alcohol in the blood, causing changes in how the organs operate. When alcohol is removed, withdrawal symptoms can occur due to the brain functioning abnormally. Trembling, anger, confusion, fear, hallucinations, seizures, and even death are possible during alcohol withdrawal.
Step-by-step explanation:
The presence of alcohol in the blood can have various effects on the brain and other organs. Over time, the brain adapts to the continued presence of alcohol and adjusts how the organs operate to compensate for its effects. However, when alcohol is removed from the system, the brain functions abnormally, leading to withdrawal symptoms such as trembling, anger, confusion, fear, hallucinations, hypertension, insomnia, nausea and vomiting, seizures, and even death.
This imbalance in brain functioning during withdrawal is caused by the brain's compensatory adaptations to alcohol. Chronic exposure to alcohol leads to changes in the reward circuitry, tolerance, and hyperactive adaptations. When alcohol is no longer present, the increase in glutamatergic activity can result in toxicity and cell death. Similarly, the GABAergic component of the reward system is also affected, disrupting the frontal cortical circuits and increasing the salience of drug-associated stimuli.
Overall, alcohol can have significant impacts on the brain and its functioning, leading to withdrawal symptoms when alcohol is removed from the system.