Alcohol abuse is one of the most common forms of substance abuse. Patients who suffer from alcohol abuse have become both physically and psychologically dependent on alcohol, causing problems in the patient's life and health. Alcohol abuse can also lead to tolerance to the effects of alcohol, requiring the patient to drink more and more to achieve the desired effect. Detoxification from alcohol abuse is one aspect of treating alcoholism.
Step 1
Identify your level of alcohol abuse. Milder cases of alcoholism may not require prescription medications to help with the alcohol withdrawal symptoms. In some cases patients simply need to modify their drinking behaviors.
Step 2
Begin the detox process. The detox process involves strict abstinence from alcohol. The detoxification process typically takes four to six days as the alcohol gets out of the patient's system.
Step 3
Check for medical problems. Alcoholism can lead to a number of other health problems, including liver disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, and vitamin deficiencies. Some of these problems (especially the vitamin deficiencies) can cause problems with the detoxification process and require immediate attention.
Step 4
Use sedatives. The detoxification process can lead to withdrawal symptoms, including shaking, seizures, and a condition known as delirium tremens. Sedatives can help prevent these symptoms.
Step 5
Utilize other medications for continued abstinence. There are a variety of medications that can be used to help patients abstain. Disulfiram is a medication that will cause patients to experience severe nausea and vomit after consuming alcohol. Naltrexone and acamprosate can also be used to reduce the urge to drink.
