| An alcoholic becomes dependent on alcohol and | | | | drinking it, no matter what it takes during the course of |
| therefore craves it. As time passes by, the body of | | | | the treatment. The doctor also uses a breathalyzer to |
| the alcoholic becomes more and more addicted to | | | | check if the patient has taken alcohol without his |
| alcohol. Alcohol becomes difficult to resist as the body | | | | knowledge. He has to perform regular check ups. The |
| is so addicted that it starts to develop withdrawal | | | | support of family and friends are also very important |
| symptoms within three to eight hours after the last | | | | and they can also accompany the patient for the |
| drink. Alcohol detox includes taking medication to | | | | treatment. |
| prevent these withdrawal symptoms once the patient | | | | Different people respond differently to the treatment. |
| stops drinking. | | | | While some get through it really well, others may face |
| There are certain signs of alcohol withdrawal that you | | | | nervousness or anxiety which can last for a couple of |
| have to look out for before choosing alcohol detox | | | | days. Some also have sleeping problems and mild |
| treatment. Symptoms may include a craving to drink, | | | | withdrawal symptoms. Even after the treatment is |
| feeling sick, sweating, trembling, and feeling lifeless or | | | | over, the craving for alcohol may continue to trouble |
| generally terrible. The most difficult to endure is the | | | | some. A strong will and determination is required to |
| craving for alcohol, as the other symptoms usually | | | | endure this craving and cope with it. |
| disappear after a week after giving up drinking, but the | | | | Once the treatment is over, there are chances that |
| desire for alcohol lingers on. One out of twenty people | | | | the patient may have a relapse. So, for a few months |
| who give up alcohol usually suffer from delirium | | | | the patient has to be put on special medication. Popular |
| tremens, which is a condition that involves shaking and | | | | medicines used are acamprosate, that helps to ease |
| even convulsions. Sometimes people even become | | | | the cravings, and disulfiram acamprosate. The latter |
| badly dehydrated and suffer other physical problems | | | | causes very disturbing effects, if alcohol is taken in |
| as well. | | | | combination with this medicine. This way, the patient |
| The most commonly used medicine in an alcohol detox | | | | has the fear of suffering from such effects and this |
| program is Chlordiazepoxide, a benzodiazepine | | | | acts as a deterrent to stay away from alcohol. |
| medicine. It is also used by patients suffering from | | | | Regular counseling has to be given to the patient while |
| anxiety, nervousness and tension. | | | | going through the treatment and also the support of |
| A high dose of the detox medicine is usually given on | | | | family, friends and the physician is also crucial. There |
| the first day of the treatment by the primary physician. | | | | are a number of self-help groups that can assist the |
| The dose is then reduced gradually over the week. | | | | patient on the road to recovery. |
| The patient may crave alcohol but is prohibited from | | | | |