Millions of people in the U.S. struggle with drug and alcohol use disorders. Drug and alcohol addictions are serious diseases that require intense, customized treatment for each case. Without ongoing, tailored treatment, patients are at high risk of relapsing. Up to 60% of all recovering addicts will experience a relapse.
Unfortunately, relapsing can have marked effects on the brain and worsen the severity of relapse rates and addiction with each successive relapse incident. This is referred to as the “kindling effect” in addiction treatment.
What is the Kindling Effect?
Every time a person gets high or drunk, neurotransmitters in the brain are significantly impacted. (1) The substance can dull or excite the brain’s neurotransmitters. This process becomes more pronounced as the person falls further into addiction. (2)
When the individual finally attempts to quit and get treatment for their addiction, those neurotransmitters go haywire without drugs or alcohol in the body. This process, where neurotransmitters and other functions attempt to turn back to baseline levels, is one of the leading causes of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. (2)
Withdrawal symptoms vary for each drug and from person to person. In most cases, withdrawal symptoms begin within 48 hours after the last use. At this time, withdrawal symptoms enter the acute stage, which is the most severe. After that, the patient returns to baseline for several days. (3)
They may feel a sense of normalcy and will not experience cravings for drugs or alcohol. However, after this stage, patients will enter the post-acute withdrawal timeline. Cravings for the substance, anxiety, and depression can occur.
If a person in recovery experiences a trigger or stressor, they can easily relapse back into drug addiction.
It is during the process of withdrawal, no matter the severity of withdrawal, recovery, and relapse, that the kindling effect takes place. With every withdrawal, sobriety, and relapse cycle, the addiction process intensifies.
Every time a person relapses, they will experience worsening withdrawal symptoms when they attempt to quit again.
Right now, there is no definitive cause for the kindling effect. Scientists and medical professionals believe it is caused by overly sensitive neurotransmitters that have been stressed from multiple withdrawal processes. (4)
The Kindling Effect in Alcohol and Drug Addiction
Neurons in the brain that specifically cause addictive behavior can become more and more active as the disease of addiction progresses. These neurons produce powerful cravings that can be difficult for those in recovery to handle. (4)
Each progressive relapse a patient goes through will make those neurons more sensitive and hyperactive. Even small triggers can cause a quick return to drug or alcohol consumption. (5)
When someone relapses, the kindling effect makes each acute and post-acute withdrawal episode more painful and longer-lasting because of neuron hypersensitivity. Individuals who experience the kindling effect are at risk of more quickly relapsing and returning to more aggressive drug use.
Kindling is most likely to occur with hypnotic-sedative drugs. These include alcohol, benzodiazepines, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers. Severe withdrawal symptoms made worse by the kindling effect are most pronounced and dangerous with alcohol addiction. (4)
Kindling can cause the following: (6)
- Delirium tremens
- psychological symptoms
- Withdrawal Seizures
- Central nervous system shut down
- Cardiac problems
- Death
What Causes the Kindling Phenomenon?
The kindling phenomenon, a complex aspect of addiction, is under the microscope of recent studies and evolving theories. Researchers are discovering that the key players are neurons in the brain governing addictive behaviors.
As addiction progresses, these neurons become more active, creating strong cravings that make recovery difficult. (7)
Recent studies suggest that how long someone has been dealing with addiction matters. (8) The longer it lasts, the more these specific neurons intensify, making cravings stronger and recovery harder. Also, how often someone relapses contributes to the kindling effect.
Each relapse acts like a boost, making the neurons even more sensitive and active. This means even small triggers can quickly lead someone back to using drugs or alcohol.
However, as a disclaimer, genetics may also be part of the picture. Some people might have genes that make their neurons more likely to become hyperactive, making the kindling effect stronger for them. (9) In simple terms, ongoing research points to a mix of factors, like the length of addiction, how often someone relapses, and genetics, as possible causes of the kindling phenomenon.
Who is at Risk for the Kindling Effect?
Certain factors increase the risk of the kindling effect, where neurons driving addictive behavior become increasingly active as addiction advances. (4) The longer someone has been addicted, the more likely these neurons are to intensify cravings, posing challenges for those in recovery.
Each progressive relapse a patient goes through will make those neurons more sensitive and hyperactive. Even small triggers can cause a quick return to drug or alcohol consumption. (4)
When someone relapses, the kindling effect makes each acute and post-acute withdrawal episode more painful and longer-lasting because of neuron hypersensitivity. (10) Individuals who experience the kindling effect are at risk of more quickly relapsing and returning to more aggressive drug use.
Symptoms and Progression of Kindling
- Early Stages (Months to a Year):
- In the initial stages of kindling, individuals may experience heightened sensitivity to withdrawal symptoms during periods of abstinence.
- Cravings may become more pronounced, and individuals may find it increasingly challenging to resist the urge to use drugs or alcohol.
- Intermediate Stages (1-2 Years):
- The hypersensitivity of neurons intensifies, leading to a faster and more severe return of withdrawal symptoms after relapses.
- Cravings become persistent, making sustained abstinence more difficult.
- Individuals may notice an escalation in the severity and duration of acute and post-acute withdrawal episodes.
- Advanced Stages (Beyond 2 Years):
- Neurons governing addictive behavior reach a heightened state of hyperactivity and excitability.
- Withdrawal symptoms, both acute and post-acute, become more intense, potentially leading to severe physical and psychological distress.
- Relapses are more likely to result in a quick return to aggressive drug or alcohol use.
Knowing all you need to know about the kindling progression timeline will make it easier to determine the symptoms individuals may face at different stages of addiction.
Preventing the Kindling Effect During Detox
Avoiding the kindling effect means avoiding successive relapses. Kindling effects usually don’t happen unless someone has relapsed several times. The most effective way to prevent relapse is through ongoing, tailored treatment and support from trained doctors and therapists.
Additionally, treatment for mental health disorders can help with further impairments from alcohol.
This is why people who suffer from substance and alcohol abuse disorders often need help from a multidisciplinary team, including therapists, counselors, social workers, medical doctors, and support from friends and family.
It’s very important that those in recovery can have access to treatment throughout their lifetime to prevent a relapse or to stop a relapse from getting worse. Prevention or quick treatment of relapse are the most effective methods for avoiding kindling effects.
How to Treat and Manage the Effects of Kindling
Inpatient rehab treatment is usually recommended for people who’ve relapsed from drugs or alcohol before. Kindling effect symptoms must be aggressively treated so withdrawal symptoms do not worsen and become potentially deadly.
Because the kindling effect can lead to seizures, coma, and death, an inpatient rehab center is the best environment for safely monitoring and assisting patients with suspected kindling effect symptoms. This can also help with behavioral health.
Patients can receive the following at a healthcare center:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Participate in support groups
- Take anticonvulsants to treat seizures
Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment Options
Quitting drugs or alcohol can be harder each time, thanks to something called the kindling effect. But there’s hope with medical detox centers. (11) They have doctors and nurses around 24/7 to keep you safe during withdrawal, which can be more severe each time you try to quit.
In these centers, some doctors and nurses are available all the time to keep an eye on how you’re doing. They can give you medications to make the withdrawal symptoms less intense. It’s like having a safety net during a challenging time.
In alcohol detox, they treat you based on what you need. They consider things like what substance you’re addicted to, how bad it is, and if you have any health issues. This personalized care makes the process more effective and safer.
They personalize the care to fit your needs and may give you medicines to ease the process. Medical detox is just the beginning; after that, other programs help with your recovery. The effects of alcohol should not ruin your life.
Need Help With Substance Use Treatment? Contact Zinnia
It’s vital to reach out to a qualified, trained rehabilitation counselor and get addiction treatment as soon as possible. Trained medical professionals are equipped to help patients prevent relapse and handle any adverse consequences of the kindling effect.
Therapy, detox, and medications can help people manage the discomfort of acute and post-acute withdrawal symptoms. Also, people in recovery must receive ongoing addiction help and treatment to prevent relapse and the kindling effect.
If you or a loved one is suffering from drug addiction and the kindling effect, do not hesitate to reach out to our drug addiction hotline today at (855) 430-9439.
Citations
- https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/alcohol-and-brain-overview
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4065474/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310652/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6761822/
- https://www.experiencerecovery.com/blog/identifying-addiction-triggers/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6761822/#:~:text=The%20changes%20result%20in%20increasingly,and%20vulnerability%20to%20brain%20damage.
- https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article/49/7/513/236613
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/does-addiction-last-a-lifetime-2018100814962
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0920121102000712
- https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/articles/post-acute-withdrawal-syndrome
- https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/treatment/alcohol-detox/
Related Articles
- Alcohol Abuse Treatments
- Concurrent Alcohol and Amphetamine Use: Know the Risks
- Am I a High-Functioning Alcoholic? Risk Factors and Warning Signs