Alcohol Detox
What to Expect and Do When the Alcohol Addiction Treatment Starts
Every day, hundreds of brave souls decide to beat their alcohol addiction. The first step in this lengthy process is to admit that there is a problem. Once this happens, there is a period where the alcoholic will have to go through an alcohol detox. This is not an easy process and it should be done under the close supervision of a doctor and those willing to support the individual through this alcohol intervention.
Symptoms of Alcohol Detox
Everyone who stops drinking will have unpleasant symptoms during the detox and withdrawal phase. It is important that the person going through the detox phase is not left alone so that they do not inadvertently harm themselves or others. Some of the symptoms of an alcohol detox can include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Inability to sleep
- Nightmares when they can sleep
- Anxiety
- Seizures
- Headaches
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Hand tremors
- Trouble thinking
Not everyone will experience these symptoms. It will depend on the person and the extent of their addiction.
Treatment and Alcohol Intervention
Most of the time, the treatment during an alcohol detox should be done in a facility with trained medical staff on hand in case there is a medical emergency such as a seizure. Being in an alcohol treatment facility will also increase the chances for success since the patient will not have easy access to alcohol or means of escape. In some cases, however, the doctor will allow the patient to go through the detox and withdrawal process at home. If you are the patient or the person helping with the alcohol addiction treatment, be sure to ask the doctor about medications that might help during this process. According to the Prescription for Nutritional Healing, glutathione will help to protect the liver and take away some of the craving for alcohol. Also ask about vitamin and mineral supplements, especially the B vitamins, to replace those that were depleted due to the alcohol consumption. B5 will aid with the alcohol detox process and B12 could help with the anxiety.
Time Line for Alcohol Detox
The time line for the detox will vary from person to person. It could last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Only a professional will be able to tell when it is time for the next step in treatment.
Continued Alcohol Treatment
Alcoholism is a disease that will be battled for a life time. You cannot go through detox and not have help afterwards. A stay in an alcohol abuse treatment facility may be in order, along with counseling from an organization such as Alcoholics Anonymous. There are usually problems that run deeper than the alcohol addiction and if they are not addressed the alcoholism intervention and the harsh detox will have been in vain.
Sources:
- The American Family Physician
- Alcoholics Info
- Balch, Phyllis A. The Prescription for Nutritional Healing. New York: Avery, 2006 (172-173)
People can go through alcohol detox with help
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