| Alcoholics often need alcohol detox in order to rid their | | | | become addicted to the drugs. |
| bodies of the substance. Unlike detox for other | | | | There have been many hours and dollars put into |
| substances such as opioids, alcohol detox is a | | | | developing new medications to help those struggling |
| dangerous thing and can be fatal. The dependence a | | | | with alcoholism and alcohol detox. Baclofen has been |
| body develops on alcohol cannot be reversed quickly | | | | shown to relieve severe withdrawal symptoms, and |
| without side effects, so it is important that it is done | | | | gabapentin and vigabatrin also have been used to |
| under the watchfulness of a professional. | | | | improve withdrawal symptoms. While these drugs |
| Alcohol detoxification | | | | have been successfully used to treat other ailments, |
| Many people that abuse alcohol do so on an irregular | | | | there is much research that will need to occur for |
| basis, and these people may not need detoxification. If | | | | these and any other medications before we know just |
| a person can go a week in between binge drinking | | | | how successful they will be to treat alcoholism. |
| episodes, their body is probably not dependent on | | | | Other treatments |
| alcohol. But someone who drinks multiple drinks daily is | | | | Other medications can help a person stay sober, such |
| very likely to have severe withdrawal symptoms, and | | | | as antabuse or naltrexone. Antabuse causes a strong, |
| should seek professional help. | | | | long lasting hangover immediately after consuming |
| When a person becomes dependent on alcohol, their | | | | alcohol, which deters a person from drinking. |
| brain shows an overall decrease in excitability. If that | | | | Naltrexone is an antagonist for opioid receptors and it |
| person would stop drinking, the brain receptors that | | | | is used to decrease cravings for alcohol. |
| were inhibited by alcohol are no longer affected, and | | | | Continued treatment |
| the result is brain hyperexcitability, which is shown by | | | | Once a person has gotten through the alcohol detox |
| tremors, seizures, anxiety, and irritability. Other | | | | safely and is sober, it is important for the person to go |
| symptoms of alcohol detox include hallucinations, | | | | through treatment for alcohol abuse. This may involve |
| shakes, and possible heart failure. | | | | daily therapy to give them ways to deal with stress |
| Medications for withdrawal symptoms | | | | and the temptation to use alcohol. It may mean learning |
| There are some medications that are commonly used | | | | life skills to find a good job and hobbies that keep them |
| to suppress alcohol withdrawal symptoms. These are | | | | busy and away from alcohol. Many people have found |
| benzodiazepines, such as Valium and Ativan, that are | | | | help in Alcoholics Anonymous and their 12 step |
| given to reduce unpleasant symptoms, and in some | | | | program which emphasizes the importance of taking |
| cases, save the life of the patient if delirium tremens | | | | care of yourself and finding your inner strength. |
| occur. The thing physicians need to be careful about | | | | Whatever method a person chooses, staying sober |
| with benzodiazepines is that the alcoholic does not | | | | will take much encouragement and support. |