A patient undergoing alcohol withdrawal may develop hypotension, the cause of which must be identified.
Causes of shock in a patient with alcohol withdrawal include:
(1) hypovolemia
(1a) after severe diarrhea
(1b) with severe diaphoresis
(1c) gastrointestinal bleeding
(1d) trauma
(2) anaphylaxis
(3) sepsis
(4) alcoholic cardiomyopathy
(5) myocardial infarction
(6) thiamine deficiency (Shoshin Beri Beri)
(7) adrenal insufficiency, including hepatoadrenal syndrome
(8) hypothermia
(9) adverse drug effect
