When The Alcohol Stops Flowing: Treatment Of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
There are many addictions that people can be enslaved by. Some of those addictions can be to gambling, pornography, sex, nicotine, over eating, etc. Unfortunately, the list can go on and on.
Additionally, an addiction can be caused by a number of reasons. Some of those reasons can be due to a chemical imbalance within the brain, a learned behavior, addictive personality, a coping mechanism to deal with the stresses and struggles of life, genetics, etc.
One additional addictive substance that can affect an individual is alcohol. When an individual becomes dependent upon alcohol they are known as an alcoholic. In addition, like other addictive behaviors, an alcoholic has difficulty with relationships and living a productive life. In addition, the health of the alcoholic is impacted due to the negative effects of alcohol placed upon the liver and other organs within the body.
Therefore, it is important that addictive behaviors are treated. Unfortunately for the addict, this requires that the substance contributing to the addiction be eliminated. This negative aspect of treatment can be a painful experience both physically and mentally due to the withdrawal of the addictive substance.
Subsequently, there are side effects associated with the withdrawal of alcohol. Specifically, this is called alcohol withdrawal system syndrome. Therefore, it is important to know what alcohol withdrawal system syndrome is and what the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome is.
What Is Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome?
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is the condition that an alcoholic experiences when they are withdrawing from the use of alcohol over a period of time. That period of time can be measured in hours or days.
Generally, this condition manifests itself through various associated symptoms. Some of those symptoms can range in severity from mild manifestations of alcohol withdrawal to severe symptoms. Specifically, a mild symptom of alcohol withdrawal could be insomnia and a severe symptom could be seizures or hallucinations.
The Treatment Of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
The treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome can be accomplished in a number of ways. Specifically, two of those methods can be accomplished within the privacy of an individual’s own home. Generally, this option is best utilized by an individual who has a mild alcoholic problem. On the other hand, an individual who is a chronic long-term alcoholic may require a lengthy stay at a medical facility or other professional treatment center.
In addition, the mild treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome usually begins with the step of detoxifying the body of alcohol. This can be accomplished by stopping all alcohol consumption. In addition, treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome is combined with a proper diet. Usually that diet consists of drinking copious amounts of water to help flush the system. In addition, the process incorporates the eating of large amounts of protein.
For an individual who is undergoing an acute alcohol withdrawal treatment program there are other processes that may be involved. One of those specific treatment methods is through the use of medications. One specific medication that is used is Benzodiazepines.