Alcohol Detoxification

The process which involves cutting down on alcohol consumption coupled with treatment by cross-tolerant drugs is termed as detoxification. It is the first step in the rehabilitation of an alcohol addict. The purpose of detoxification is to remove any kind of toxins present in the patient's body. The cross-tolerant drugs given to the patient reduce the painful effects of withdrawal. Withdrawal is the symptom or after effect of detoxification. The commonly observed withdrawal symptoms are convulsions, seizures, hallucinations, tremors and high fever.

Detoxification needs to be carried out under strict medical supervision. To control withdrawal symptoms, various drugs categorized under 'Benzodizepines' are used. Chlordiazepoxide is the commonly used benzodizepine. Benzodizepines are sedative, psychoactive and hypnotic drugs. These drugs are also amnesic and anticonvulsant in their property.

A General Practitioner prescribes the following course of detoxification. It is a general or common plan followed for detox.

• The patient is given a high dose of medicine on the first day of the detoxification process.
• Over the next week the dose is lower in comparison with the first day. Medication helps the patient in overcoming the unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal.
• The patient is advised not to consume alcohol during detoxification.
• The person undergoing detoxification is under constant supervision.
• The family members of the patient are advised to support the patient during the detox. This is because, the presence of family members and their words of encouragement can bring about a significant change in the patient's health.

Vitamin Supplements
Along with benzodizepines, the patients may be prescribed some vitamin supplements. This is because the patient may lose his appetite while under an alcohol detox. Vitamin B1 is the commonly prescribed vitamin during detoxification.

Care After Detoxification
Even after the completion of a successful detox, there is a possibility of the patient relapsing to addiction. It may be difficult to give up alcoholism for some people. Medication may help in reducing the withdrawal symptoms after detoxification. The following two medicines are generally prescribed by doctors to help the patient staying away from alcohol.

• Disulfiram: The patient is treated with disulfiram after completing a detox successfully. Whenever the patient consumes alcohol, the effect of the drug leads to unpleasant symptoms such as palpitations, headache, vomiting and flushing.
• Acamprosate: It reduces the withdrawal symptoms such as the craving for alcohol.

Detox At Home
The detoxification process at home is carried out after consulting a General Practitioner. For home treatment, a care taker is needed to keep track of the patient's medication and to provide mental support. The doctor has to keep a track of the patient's health. For the first 2-3 days, the doctor visits the patient at his house in the mornings and later can just communicate over the telephone.

Since detoxification is the first step in treating alcoholism, the success of this process has significant effects on the recovery of alcohol addicts. The patient may face withdrawal symptoms occasionally, even after the detox. However, it helps in cutting down the alcohol consumption to a great extent. Following the alcohol detox program sincerely and honestly, helps in overcoming alcoholism.