| Hundreds and thousands of Americans seek an | | | | condition is left untreated, there are very good |
| effective solution for alcohol addiction every single day. | | | | chances that it will result in some serious fatal |
| An important part of the treatment or alcohol recovery | | | | complications which can eventually lead to even death. |
| process that all problem drinkers need to go through is | | | | |
| that of detoxification. The process of detoxification | | | | Before treatment for alcohol dependency is initiated at |
| that is carried out at alcoholism treatment centers can | | | | the alcoholism treatment centers, the patient is |
| be defined as the instant cut of the access to the | | | | expected to undergo a full fledged clinical and physical |
| consumption of alcohol or any mood altering | | | | assessment by a certified doctor. On the basis of that, |
| substance. Detoxification is also combined with | | | | it is determined whether the individual can be treated |
| ingestion of pharmaceuticals which effectively lessen | | | | with an outpatient alcohol detoxification program, which |
| the withdrawal symptoms that accompany the habit | | | | allows the patient to undergo treatment while staying |
| of alcohol abuse. Some of the common withdrawal | | | | at home or whether it would be better to send him or |
| symptoms that may surface are: | | | | her to the alcoholism treatment centers for a full |
| | | | | fledged detox program. |
| - Shaking of the legs and hands | | | | |
| - Headaches | | | | Progress of the Sobriety Plan: On the very first day, a |
| - Insomnia | | | | very high dose of the prescribed drug is administered |
| - Palpitation | | | | to the patient. One of the most common drugs that |
| - Excessive perspiration | | | | are used in the treatment of alcohol abuse is |
| - Pallor | | | | chlordiazepoxide. This is a drug that is particularly used |
| - Clammy looking skin | | | | for anxiety management which generally takes place |
| - Involuntary motions of the eyelids | | | | along with the other symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. |
| - Dilated pupils | | | | Thereon the dosage of the drug is gradually reduced |
| - Loss of appetite | | | | with every passing day. Some of the other medicines |
| - Spasms | | | | that are also prescribed while the detox is in session |
| - Vomiting and nausea | | | | are vitamin supplements like B1. Moreover, during the |
| - Fatigue | | | | course of the detoxification, the patient is medically |
| - An overall appalling feeling | | | | checked on a number of occasions. Mild withdrawal |
| | | | | symptoms are common in this phase; these are not as |
| Other than these physical symptoms there are a set | | | | severe as the ones he would have to go through if |
| of other elements that might surface as well like | | | | the patient went without proper medication. |
| irritability, nervousness, depression, emotional instability, | | | | |
| volatility, disturbed sleep and confusion. | | | | Though the level of substance dependence can be |
| | | | | reduced through detoxification, the resultant |
| Other than these, most alcoholics suffer from another | | | | psychological and behavioral effects are long term. |
| rather serious symptom that is known as delirium | | | | This is why most of the alcoholism treatment centers |
| tremens which leads to fever, convulsions and tremors, | | | | offer a combination of behavioral and psychological |
| confusion and agitation, and visual and auditory | | | | therapy to help the patients deal with their mood |
| hallucinations. People who suffer from DTs need to be | | | | swings and anxiety. |
| taken care of with immediate treatment. In case the | | | | |