| If you love someone who is an alcoholic, or you are | | | | detoxification drugs help the body eliminate alcohol and |
| struggling with your own alcohol problem, you may be | | | | limit these uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous |
| interested in the process of alcohol detoxification. | | | | symptoms. |
| Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range from | | | | With the use of drugs like Chlordiazepoxide, withdrawal |
| uncomfortable to life threatening, depending on the | | | | is less dangerous and more comfortable than it would |
| severity of the addiction, and detoxification can help | | | | be without medicine. Most users still experience some |
| with this process. | | | | trouble sleeping, nervousness and irritability, though. |
| Alcohol detoxification is simply eliminating alcohol from | | | | Detoxification only addresses the physical issues of |
| the body and providing medical assistance for the | | | | alcoholism, though, and many professional endorse a |
| symptoms of withdrawal that accompany this | | | | combined therapy that includes counseling or a 12 step |
| process. Medical professionals will generally prescribe | | | | program to follow the detoxification process. Most |
| a limited course of treatment with one of several | | | | contend that the cravings for alcohol, both physical and |
| drugs developed for this purpose. The most common | | | | psychological, will remain long after it is out of the |
| is called Chlordiazepoxide. While I do not like the use of | | | | system. Counseling and continued treatment is required |
| drugs in most cases, I do concede that in certain | | | | to help the patient change their attitudes and resist |
| instances, such as this, they can be extremely helpful | | | | returning to alcohol use. |
| and effective in helping someone to recover from a | | | | In addition to counseling and support, there are several |
| harmful addiction. | | | | drugs that may be prescribed to help avoid a relapse |
| The treatment will usually last about a week. The | | | | and make recovery easier. Acamprosate helps |
| dosage is highest on the first day, with declining | | | | reduce cravings and another drug, Disulfiram, will make |
| amounts on the following days. This allows the highest | | | | the user sick if they ingest alcohol. |
| dosage to be used at the time when the effects of | | | | There is no shame in asking for assistance with an |
| withdrawal are strongest. Close supervision by a | | | | alcohol problem. Most family doctors and counselors |
| medical professional is usually required, and the patient | | | | can prescribe the detoxification treatment or make the |
| must agree to discontinue all alcohol use during the | | | | appropriate referrals. Take advantage of the |
| treatment time. | | | | assistance available; recovering from alcoholism is an |
| Without treatment, an alcoholic who suddenly | | | | often difficult road. |
| discontinues the use of alcohol can experience mild | | | | Using the help available can be the difference |
| symptoms like sweating, cravings for alcohol and | | | | between recovery and relapse, so ask your |
| trembling. More severe withdrawal symptoms can | | | | healthcare professional about detoxification programs |
| include delirium tremens, hallucinations and even | | | | today. |
| convulsions in a small percentage of patients. The | | | | |