Date Posted: 12/8/2012 2:29:59 AM
Posted By: mronjos Membership Level: Gold Total Points: 2234
Alcohol is a great menace to society. Several studies have revealed that excessive consumption of alcohol is harmful to one''s health. Alcohol adversely affects the liver, brain, digestive system, heart and immune system. Apart from health risks, alcohol has also been associated with negative social elements such as crime, car accidents, teenage pregnancies and marriage divorces. Alcohol is but a symptom of alcoholism, the real problem lies within the alcoholic. Alcoholism is a disease that is progressive and at times fatal. However, detox from alcohol followed by a good rehabilitation program is the most effective approach to curing alcoholism.Alcohol detox is a process of absolute withdrawal from alcohol. The aim of detoxification is to return a patient''s body to normal after his/her long use and dependence on alcohol. The ideal alcohol detoxification process is one that slowly ends the body''s addiction to alcohol with minimal adverse effects. Alcohol is a very addictive drug and stimulant. After an alcoholic abstains from alcohol, their body enters a state of withdrawal. The symptoms of detox from alcohol include physical and emotional factors that can cause great damage to a person''s psyche. Withdrawal symptoms are taxing on a patient''s body and can at times result to death. Some of the mild symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol include; trembling, sweating, muscle pain, upset stomach and headaches. These mild symptoms are common for a person who has lasted six hours from their last alcoholic drink. Alcoholics who have abstained from alcohol for 2-3 days experience serious symptoms. Advanced withdrawal symptoms include; hallucinations, seizures, delirium tremens (DTs), fever, high blood pressure, hypertension and increased heart rate.It is recommended that detox from alcohol be administered by a professional and licensed medical staff at a clinic or rehab centre. Before detoxification is initiated at a rehab center, patients undergo a fully fledged physical and clinical assessment. Based on this examination, the doctor determines whether the patient requires out patient or in patient alcohol detoxification. Out patient treatment allows individuals to undergo treatment while at home whereas the in patient program is conducted in the center. Patients receive detox treatment based on their age, history of alcohol use and medical history. In clinics and rehab centers, patients take drugs that mimic the effects of alcohol on the brain to control the process of withdrawal. On the first day of alcohol detoxification, a high dose of the prescribed drug is administered to the patient. One of the common drugs used in detox programs is chlordiazepoxide. This drug is particularly meant for anxiety management but it is also used to control other withdrawal symptoms of alcohol. The dosage of chlordiazepoxide given to patients is reduced with every passing day. The other medicines administered during detoxification include vitamin supplements, barbiturates and benzodiazepines.Management of withdrawal symptoms is one of the main reasons individuals should shun from home detoxification. Risks of trying to go it alone include fatal health conditions such as tonic clonic seizure /granmal seizure and heart attack. At alcohol treatment centers, there is constant monitoring of patients to ensure they don''t have elevated heart rates, blood pressure, temperature or other life threatening symptoms. The other benefit of clinic detoxification treatments is that patients receive behavioral and psychological therapy which helps them deal with the process of transition.Detox from alcohol can last for as short as three days or as long as a week. Cleansing does not end with detoxification. After detox, the patient enters into a phase known as rehabilitation. Rehabilitation could last for months and in some cases, it takes years. Indeed, a person recovering from alcoholism can relapse after a year of sobriety. Patients can either chose to rehabilitate on their own or to enroll in an alcohol treatment program. The latter is more successful with success in self-rehabilitation dependent on one''s strength and resolve.Alcohol is an addictive drug associated with negative health and social conditions. The solution to alcoholism is detoxification and rehabilitation. Detox from alcohol is the best way to start your campaign against alcoholism. A quality detoxification program will ensure a smooth transition for the patient. It is advisable that individuals undergo detoxification at licensed clinics or rehabilitation centers. After detoxification, one should complete their treatment by enrolling in an effective recovery program.
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