| On any given day, close to a million Americans are | | | | well. Several times during detox, the individual will be |
| treated for alcohol addiction. Part of the treatment | | | | checked on by a medical practitioner. The individual will |
| many problem drinkers go through is alcohol | | | | most likely experience some withdrawal symptoms |
| detoxification. Alcohol detoxification is described as the | | | | during this sobering up process, but nothing as severe |
| immediate termination of alcohol intake coupled with | | | | as if he had no medication. |
| the ingestion of medicines that help to assuage the | | | | Although the individual can be weaned from physical |
| withdrawal symptoms that accompany prolonged | | | | dependence in a matter of days, the behavioral and |
| drinking. | | | | psychological and effects of alcohol abuse are long |
| Withdrawal symptoms include insomnia, headaches, | | | | term. For this reason, alcohol rehab centers offer |
| palpitations, shaking of the hands, profuse sweating, | | | | psychological and behavioral therapy as part of their |
| clammy skin, pallor, dilated pupils, involuntary | | | | alcohol addiction treatment programs. The individual is |
| movements of the eyelids, spasms, loss of appetite, | | | | helped to identify the circumstances that trigger him to |
| nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and a general awful feeling. | | | | drink and is motivated to find ways to handle and |
| These physical symptoms are accompanied by | | | | avoid such feelings and situations. If the individual has a |
| feelings of anxiety or nervousness, depression, | | | | life partner, the partner is often brought into the |
| irritability, excitability, emotional volatility, confusion, and | | | | therapy process as studies have shown that the |
| disturbed sleep. Approximately one in twenty people | | | | participation of a spouse is a main factor contributing |
| suffer from more severe symptoms known as | | | | to an individual's quitting alcohol and getting sober. |
| delirium tremens (or DTs) that can entail fever, tremors | | | | Alcohol treatment centers are all too aware of the |
| and convulsions, extreme agitation, deep confusion, and | | | | craving for alcohol that an individual will continue to |
| auditory and visual hallucinations. People who have | | | | face for a long time. Upon leaving the alcohol rehab, |
| DTs need immediate treatment. Untreated delirium | | | | the individual is encouraged to continue with alcoholism |
| tremens may lead to serious physical complications | | | | counseling and to join support groups to reinforce |
| resulting in death. | | | | behavioral and lifestyle changes he's made and to |
| Prior to treatment for alcohol dependency, the individual | | | | prevent relapse. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), with its |
| first undergoes physical and medical assessment by a | | | | 12-step program, has helped many to maintain a sober |
| medical practitioner. A determination is made as to | | | | lifestyle. For those who do not adhere to AA's |
| whether the individual may proceed with alcohol | | | | profession that alcohol addiction is a permanent curse |
| detoxification at home or whether it is advisable to | | | | one needs to permanently keep at bay, there are |
| refer him to an alcohol detox center. | | | | other recovery programs that view alcohol addiction |
| On the first day of getting sober, a high dosage of the | | | | as a treatable condition. |
| prescribed drug is usually given. The most commonly | | | | To help the recovering addict, medicines are available |
| used drug in treatment for alcohol dependency is | | | | that alleviate alcohol cravings as well as drugs that |
| chlordiazepoxide, which is used to manage the anxiety | | | | deter alcohol drinking by causing unpleasant symptoms |
| associated with acute alcohol withdrawal. The dosage | | | | upon alcohol ingestion. However, there is no substitute |
| is gradually reduced in the following days. Vitamin | | | | as effective as will power and a firm determination. |
| supplements, particularly B1, are normally prescribed as | | | | |