| Alcohol is the drug of choice for many people who | | | | or "cold turkey", symptoms can be very intense and |
| feel lonely, disconnected or under stress. Alcohol | | | | severe, which makes professional intervention and |
| detoxification becomes necessary when continued | | | | supervision of the detox all the more important. Alcohol |
| use of alcohol leads to fractured social relationships | | | | withdrawal symptoms include headaches, nausea, |
| and a decline in the users health, including hallucinations | | | | depression, tremors, anxiety and hallucinations if the |
| and liver and kidney problems due to heavy drinking. | | | | alcoholism has been severe. |
| Most alcohol users for whom alcohol is contributing to | | | | Psychological counseling during alcohol detox goes |
| a decrease in quality of life cannot adequately do an | | | | hand in hand with medications to ease withdrawal |
| alcohol detox at home. In-patient alcohol detox at a | | | | symptoms as many patients not only need to uncover |
| recognized professional program is preferable, allowing | | | | what drives their craving for alcohol but also to provide |
| for medical supervision that provides the appropriate | | | | much needed understanding and support during a |
| prescriptive medications to help detoxify the body and | | | | difficult process. |
| wean the patient off the need to drink alcohol. | | | | Seizures and delirium are two major concerns during |
| In-patient alcohol detox programs can last up to six | | | | the detox process, so it is important that the patient be |
| weeks in length. During this time, the patient is provided | | | | constantly monitored as well as provided with any |
| with a protein-rich diet and numerous non-alcoholic | | | | necessary medications to alleviate the risk of seizures |
| beverages, including water, to consume on a daily | | | | and subsequent anxiety and depression. Once detox |
| basis as the withdrawal symptoms of alcohol subside. | | | | has been successfully completed, the patient still needs |
| Patients in alcohol detox must be kept very well | | | | medical and psychological support to prevent a |
| hydrated, preferably by drinking copious amounts of | | | | relapse, as well as to deal with the physical and |
| water and beverages providing necessary electrolytes. | | | | psychological damage that extensive alcohol use may |
| If stoppage of alcohol consumption has been sudden | | | | have caused for the long term. |