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Alcoholism Withdrawal Treatment

Alcohol detoxification is the most physically difficult part of the recovery process. Detoxing off of alcohol carries several withdrawal symptoms, such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and insomnia. More severe symptoms such as seizures and delirium are common with repeated attempts at recovery. Other withdrawal symptoms can include depression and cravings, which can be addressed with mental therapy.

  1. Detox

    • Diarrhea, insomnia and nausea are the most common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, but those symptoms can be controlled with over-the-counter medication. Immodium helps lower the diarrhea incidents and helps with abdominal cramping and nausea. Insomnia is more difficult to treat because the use of prescription medication needs to be avoided. However, the insomnia weakens the body and mind, making it more difficult to continue recovery. Some doctors prescribe benzodiazepines such as Xanax or Valium to help the patient sleep. Those drugs also increase the seizure threshold, lowering the risk of seizure withdrawals.

    Depression

    • Depression lasts the longest, and it can last for months, even years. The best treatment is psychiatric methods in a private and group setting. One-on-one sessions with a private practitioner help recovering addicts cope with underlying problems that likely contributed to the alcoholism. Psychiatrists also prescribe medication for those patients who need help for mental issues such as bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder or other conditions that exacerbate depression during recovery. Group therapy is beneficial for most addicts.

    Cravings

    • Recovery is an ongoing process in which cravings continue even after years of being sober. Exercise, a healthful diet and vitamins curb the effects of craving. These practices also help the recovering addicts who struggle with depression. The vitamins and diet also helps the liver recover after severe damage from long-term alcohol abuse. Exercise increases the brain's "happy" neurotransmitters such as serotonin.

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