| When an alcoholic is committed to becoming sober, | | | | Occasionally when a person is undergoing alcohol |
| one of the hardest things they will have to face is | | | | detox they will suffer kindling, which is an increased |
| detox from alcohol. Alcoholics' bodies become so | | | | severity of the withdrawal symptoms. This |
| dependent on the alcohol, that to quit drinking suddenly | | | | phenomenon will often occur when a person has had |
| would put themselves in grave danger from the | | | | previous alcohol detoxifications. Kindling is a |
| withdrawal symptoms. When a brain that has become | | | | neurochemical imbalance that occurs after a series of |
| dependent on alcohol no longer receives the alcohol, its | | | | alcohol abuse followed by withdrawals. Kindling can |
| receptors begin to fire quickly, leading to possible | | | | eventually cause delirium tremens, which are periods |
| seizures, tremors, agitation, and anxiety. Symptoms are | | | | of confusion and agitation along with physical |
| usually worse for individuals that have abused alcohol | | | | symptoms like fever or hypertension. Sometimes a |
| for a longer period of time, or have consumed greater | | | | patient going through delirium tremens will experience |
| amounts of alcohol. Symptoms are also worse in | | | | hallucinations, tremors, and panic attacks. These |
| those that have tried to detox from alcohol in the past. | | | | symptoms can be life threatening and are often |
| Hospital treatment | | | | treated with benzodiazepines. |
| Because of the possibility of severe withdrawal | | | | Long term care |
| symptoms, it is necessary for many patients to go | | | | A person that has gone through alcohol detox in a |
| through alcohol detox in the safety of a hospital detox. | | | | hospital will receive proper care and resources to help |
| First of all, the patient can be observed during detox | | | | them succeed in staying sober. It is necessary for an |
| by a professional to monitor the heart rate, | | | | alcoholic to continue with treatment even after the |
| temperature, and blood pressure. If a problem arises, | | | | hospital detox process is over. Recovering from |
| the patient can quickly be given sedatives or | | | | alcoholism often takes a lifetime, with AA meetings, |
| tranquilizers (benzodiazepines such as Valium) to | | | | support groups, and long-term therapy. Many people |
| depress the central nervous system and help with | | | | struggle with sobriety every day, and while the detox |
| symptoms and safety. It is possible for withdrawal to | | | | might be the most physically dangerous part of the |
| take a week or longer, during which time the patient | | | | process, it might be more mentally challenging to resist |
| should remain in the care of a hospital. After the detox | | | | the urge to drink. For most people, it involves a change |
| is over, medical staff will test for medical conditions | | | | in their lifestyle so that alcohol does not control their |
| and make sure the patient is not suffering any side | | | | lives and emotions. Through the help of loved ones |
| effects from the alcohol abuse and detox. | | | | and support groups, it is possible to successfully |
| Kindling | | | | overcome alcohol addiction. |