Alcohol Detox.

Alcohol withdrawal protocol is set of guidelines sanctioned for use in District Withdrawal Management Units of Addiction Services. It involves examining the history of the alcohol dependent patient, evaluation of his/her alcohol withdrawal symptoms and administration of medication and other aspects of treatment of alcohol withdrawal.

Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal.

How to detox from alcohol is an immediate concern when treating alcohol withdrawal. The aim of treating alcohol withdrawal syndrome is threefold:

• Treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms,
• Prevent and treating the complications of alcohol withdrawal,
• An extended therapy to help with alcohol abstinence.

Inpatient Alcohol Treatment.

It becomes necessary to admit the alcohol withdrawal patient in a facility particularly one, which specializes in alcohol detoxification. Withdrawal symptoms can worsen rapidly and therefore the patient is closely watched for the following:

• Body temperature,
• Blood pressure,
• Pulse,
• Respiratory rate,
• Heart rate and
• Fluid and electrolyte levels in the blood. ( sodium, potassium, etc)
• Any onset of serious alcohol withdrawal signs and symptoms especially delirium tremens.

Medications for Alcohol Withdrawal.

1) Intravenous fluids are initiated to prevent dehydration.

2) Benzodiazapines or Chlordiazepoxide for alcohol withdrawal are the most commonly used drugs for alcohol withdrawal. The commonly known are diazepam or lorazepam. They are tranquilizers and are considered safe and effective in suppressing the withdrawal symptoms. Diazepam has a longer duration of activity. Benzodiazapines are also given to treat delirium tremens and can be life saving at times like these. Alcohol is never to be taken when on these drugs as it can depress the person and can cause suicidal tendencies. Lorazepam is preferred in the elderly persons above 70 years of age and in patients of liver disease.

3) Anticonvulsants are used in case of seizures.

4)  Barbiturates are also effective and are sometimes used in place of benzodiazapines.

5) Ethanol is also used but in weaning doses. It has a higher success rate and reduces the severity of the withdrawal symptoms.

6) Vitamins, especially vitamin B1 or thiamine and folic acid are given as a prophylactic measure because alcoholics are deficient in nutrients. Multi vitamins therefore form an important part of therapy. This does help to put off the onset of  Wernicke–Kosakoff Syndrome, which is one of the  effects of alcohol and which is due to vitamin deficiency.

Alcohol Rehab.

As the alcohol detox becomes manageable, alcohol withdrawal therapy is extended to the following:

• Patient and family counseling.
• Treatment of alcohol complications that may have occurred as a result of drinking alcohol.
• Psychiatric evaluation and treatment, as psychiatric imbalance is common in such cases.
• The patient of alcohol withdrawal is encouraged to join alcohol support groups, such as the alcoholic anonymous, to help him further and later, to abstain from alcohol.

This is to help and mentally gear up the patient to abstain from drinking alcohol for life.

Alcohol Withdrawal Recovery and Prognosis.

Most patients recover fully after the treatment for alcohol withdrawal in an alcohol rehab center. A few patients succumb specially those with severe delirium tremens. Those who have developed complications of alcohol are treated for the same. Some complications which turn out to be serious like liver cirrhosis can turn out to be fatal.

Our other related posts on Alcohol.

1) What is Alcohol.2) Alcohol Statistics.3) Alcohol units.4) Alcoholic and Alcoholism.5) Effects of alcohol.6) Alcohol Poisoning.7) Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome. Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal.9) Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.10) Treatment for Alcohol.11)Alcoholism Rehab.

Previous: Alcohol Withdrawal.

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