Alcohol withdrawal treatment
In some cases, when alcohol withdrawal symptoms are severe and do not disappear after a certain period of time, it is necessary to administer adjuvant medication, detoxification.
Psychological counseling, integration into a group of support, proper education and sometimes taking certain medications, are used throughout the recovery. At this time, relapses are most commonly found. Although relapses occur often with feelings of guilt, abandonment is not considered a treatment option. Maintaining abstinence from alcohol is a process that lasts a lifetime.
In most cases, family members of alcoholic persons are affected. They may also participate in various education programs or family therapy. Counselling is useful because it helps the alcoholic to understand that this is a serious flaw. Counseling also helps in developing positive relationships with family members and people in his company.
Initial treatment for alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence, include the following:
- Special screening tests to identify alcoholism;
- Re-evaluation of lifestyle and the effect which alcohol has on it;
- Stop drinking;
- Treatment of withdrawal symptoms in chronic alcoholics (symptoms that occur after stopping drinking), this treatment is recommended to be conducted under strict medical supervision;
- Abstinence from alcohol throughout the recovery (and thereafter).
The doctor may prescribe various medications to help patients during alcohol withdrawal treatment, and then other drugs that it will help them maintain abstinence from alcohol throughout the recovery. Treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms is easier and safer if the patient resorts to specialized medical help.
In case of serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms (tremor, hallucinations), hospitalization is recommended in a specialized center for treatment of these patients (detoxification centers).
Drugs recommended in alcohol withdrawal treatment are:
- anxiolytic medication (anxiety control), and diazepam, are used in alcohol withdrawal treatment, especially for those with delirium tremens
- Antiepileptic medication are used during detoxification to treat seizures.
Medicines that are used during recovery and to help the patient to remain abstinent from alcohol are:
- Disulfiram, is a drug that reduces the effects of the alcohol that induces also some unpleasant symptoms (nausea) installed with alcohol;
- Naltrexone, which reduces the secondary pleasure of alcohol;
- Acamprosate decreases the desire to consume alcohol;
- Topiramate, is a drug used to treat seizures, various recent medical studies have shown that it helps in the treatment of secondary symptoms of alcohol.
Excessive alcohol consumption adversely affects the whole body metabolism and fluid and electrolyte imbalances occur. Doctors often identify deficiencies in vitamins and minerals (especially vitamin B1 - thiamine). It is recommended to use nutritional supplements containing thiamine, throughout the recovery.
After the detoxification program and the proper treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms is complete, find effective ways to help the patient to remain abstinent.
Maintenance therapy includes:
- Appropriate education related to alcohol;
- Individual and group psychological counseling, to review issues related to alcohol abuse;
- Cognitive behavioral therapy;
- Motivational therapy (establishing an appropriate plan to avoid alcohol;
- 12-step recovery program provides the necessary support of a full recovery;
If a person manifests severe vomiting, seizures or delirium tremens, the safest place you can get the right treatment is the hospital. Often, in cases of delirium tremens, the patient may require medical intervention alcohol withdrawal treatment in the intensive care unit. Drugs such as benzodiazepines can relieve alcohol withdrawal symptoms (most commonly used diazepam, lorazepam and cloradiazepoxide). Most people addicted to alcohol withdrawal symptoms have a deficit of vitamins and minerals (especially folic acid, thiamine, vitamin B12, magnesium, zinc and phosphate), which is why it is necessary to administer nutritional supplements.
