The withdrawal an alcoholic must go through can be fatal. Other drug addictions can cause a fatality as the withdrawal can effect other health issues, but alcoholism is unique in killing the victim directly. Excessive intake of alcohol reduces the production of GABA, a vital neuroinhibitor.

A sudden stop of alcohol intake creates a situation where there are insufficient amounts of alcohol and GABA in the blood causing the synapses to fire uncontrollably. This condition, causing convulsions, seizures, hallucinations and possibly heart failure, is known as delirium tremens. Without a medical supervision, an alcoholic can cause great harm to himself.

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