Alcoholism is among the most prevalent universal social problems, its effects on a par with poverty and drug abuse. The medical treatment for curing alcoholism consists of getting the body to rid itself of the accumulated toxins brought about by alcohol abuse. This is known as alcohol detoxification.
Withdrawal Definition
A body deprived of alcohol during detoxification treatment is going to crave a "daily fix." The sudden stoppage of the chemicals obtained in the alcoholic intake alters the physiological and biological setup of the body, thus producing withdrawal signs and symptoms.
Signs of Detox
A person undergoing alcohol detoxification experiences nausea, insomnia, headaches, anxiety, restlessness, sweating, fever, mood swings and low appetite. Many patients may also undergo personality changes, depression and show emotional instability during the different stages of detox treatment.
Duration
The duration of detox symptoms depends upon how long the patient has been abusing alcohol. Patients suffering from chronic alcoholism are going to find it more difficult to get their body to accept a complete withdrawal. These symptoms are going to last anywhere between 1 week and 15 days, depending upon the severity of the problem. These are going to be relatively less severe, in a person who has been drinking for a comparatively shorter period of time. It is also going to take about 3 to 5 days for the detoxed patient's body to get back on an even keel after going through withdrawal.
Treatments
A patient can be treated with anticonvulsants, so that some of the withdrawal symptoms are relieved. Detoxification might create problems, like seizures and convulsive fits in a chronic abuser's case. Anticonvulsants are thus used in detox treatment. Other drugs used so that the patient does not have to suffer much while undergoing the sudden deprivation of alcohol include Disulfiram (also known as Antabuse), Methadone, Naltrexone and Subutex.
Precautions
Alcohol detoxification must be done under medical supervision because sudden withdrawal can produce physiological complications that need immediate treatment. Close supervision of the patient and the regulated administration of drugs are necessary so that the withdrawal symptoms are not debilitating--or even, in some advanced cases, fatal.
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