| Alcohol is a drink that is often taken socially, | | | | reaction to withdrawal, occurring in five percent of |
| recreationally and at mealtimes. It is consumed for the | | | | people who have withdrawal symptoms 2 to 3 days |
| pleasant feelings that it generates in the body. In fact, | | | | after their last drink. Alcohol dependency also causes |
| alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. It acts | | | | inflammation of the pancreas, coronary heart disease, |
| as a biochemical inhibitor of activity in the central | | | | neuropathy, brain degeneration, cirrhosis of the liver, |
| nervous system, and thus induces sedation and | | | | high blood pressure and other health problems in the |
| lessening of anxiety. | | | | long run. |
| However, alcohol dependence or alcoholism is a | | | | In the de-addiction programs for alcoholics, the first |
| chronic pattern of alcohol abuse resulting in | | | | step is detoxification. Detoxification in alcohol treatment |
| physiological, physical, behavioral and cognitive effects. | | | | refers to a short course of medication to free the |
| Consuming alcohol for a long period of time results in | | | | body of withdrawal symptoms while trying to quit |
| alcohol dependence. | | | | drinking. The most commonly used medication in |
| If you become alcohol dependent you have a strong | | | | detoxification is chlordiazepoxide, which is a |
| craving for alcohol all the time. The body becomes | | | | benzodiazepine medicine. |
| used to plenty of alcohol and starts showing | | | | Alcohol detoxification has basically four goals: |
| withdrawal symptoms 3 to 4 hours after the last drink. | | | | 1) to provide the patient a safe withdrawal from |
| Hence, a person who wants to stop drinking finds it | | | | alcohol dependence |
| difficult because of the withdrawal symptoms. | | | | 2) to provide a treatment that is humane and protects |
| The signs and symptoms of withdrawal are the | | | | the patient's dignity |
| opposite of that of alcohol. In the central nervous | | | | 3) to provide for recovery of affective and cognitive |
| system, excitory processes are increased and | | | | faculties, and |
| inhibitory processes are slowed. The withdrawal | | | | 4) to prepare patient for continued treatment in his |
| symptoms are the main barriers in treatment for | | | | new life. |
| alcoholism. Normally, withdrawal symptoms appear | | | | Alcohol detoxification is a long, drawn-out and difficult |
| within hours of the patient's drink and generally peak | | | | process involving rehabilitatory medicine, in-patient |
| 24 to 36 hours after stopping. | | | | treatment in a de-addiction facility, and support from |
| Some withdrawal symptoms are anxiety, headache, | | | | doctors, nurses, family, and the community. Ultimately, it |
| auditory disturbances, trembling, sweating, and craving | | | | also depends on the determination of the patient. |
| for alcohol. Delirium and tremors are a more severe | | | | |