All I know is that alcohol is a depressant, and when one abuses it for long enough, the body/brain becomes accustomed to equilibrating itself in the presence of this depressant by becoming over-excitatory. This is why a person going through alcohol withdrawal may experience anxiety and may be at risk for seizures, etc.
I would definitely see a doctor, but know that your own a hyper-vigilance may be exaggerating the situation.
From experience it can take a while for the body to heal itself. I would read the stickies on PAWS.
M