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Suggest Remedy For Alcohol Detoxification

Posted on Fri, 23 Oct 2015

Question: My son is going to detox from alchohol at home. He has no insurance and no job. The ER MD said he can't quit cold turkey. I will help him, but I need to know how much alchohol he should drink to weene himself off. Also, what kind of items should I have on hand for him to eat and drink. He lives in California and is coming to Tenn where I live because the waiting list for a county facility is too long.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
let me know his amount of intake ad which medicine he has

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

Yes it is very risky to stop alcohol cold turkey. It should be always stopped gradually. It is better to have indoor detoxification and deaddiction. I can understand limitation of indoor management in his case.

I want few answers to help you/him in right direction.

- Since when is he taking alcohol?

- What is the frequency of use and timing of the day?

- What is the quantity (ml) of alcohol and type of alcohol (whiskey, rum vodka)?

- Does he have any physical problem?

- What medicine does he have for help?

- With whom is he living right now?

I will be happy to help further after your response.

Regards,

Dr.Chintan Solanki.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (34 hours later)

4 months of alcohol abuse. a 750ml Vodka per day, no other drugs other than Lexipro for depression. Lives with his girlfriend and her 3 kids and has shared custody of his own 2 kids. He was admitted to the ER for elevated heart rate and chest pressure 2 weeks ago when he tried to self detox. The ER Dr prescribed him Librium. He has not started to take it yet. Advice appreciated on how to help him. He does get DT shakes in the morning until he has 1 -2 small doses of alcohol.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
reduce gradually as follows

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for information.

Vodka is not as strong as whiskey. He can reduce 50 ml every day until 400 ml. Then he can reduce 50 ml every alternate day until 150 ml. During second phase he may need librium if he feels tremors. After that reduce 25 ml every second day and stop. Doing this slowly reduction he would not have significant /no withdrawal and he can be well soon without medicine. However at any point if he feels more tremors and sleep disturbance he should go to ER for ativan or more librium.

Feel free to discuss further.

Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad