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Suggest Ways To Manage Alcohol Detoxification
Question: I am with an alcoholic who is attempting to self-detox. They have been through detox before and had stays at both in-patient and out-patient treatment centers ($10,000 worth of out of pocket expense so far). This individual is shaking pretty bad and suffering from dry heaves. By trying to detox at home they have no access to meds which assist with this process. Is there anything I can get or do to help get them through this ordeal?
Brief Answer:
no probably nothing will help, please take him to doctoror or wait
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
Alcohol detoxification requires replacement therapy with benzodiazepine drugs like chlordizepoxide(librium) or lorazepam(ativan) to prevent/treat withdrawal features.These are prescription medicines and you wont get without legal prescription of a doctor.
Shaking is part of alcohol withdrawal features.
Severity and duration of symptoms depend on quantity, quality and duration of intake of alcohol before.
No medicine can treat such symptoms except benzo or alcohol itself. If severity of symptoms are less, symptoms reduce gradually in a week itself.
If it is not feasible to visit doctor only thing which can help him now is some amount of alcohol. Otherwise take him to doctor.
Peopranolol may help to reduce tremors if you can get it over the counter until he reaches to doctor. But give it with some food in 20mg dose as it may reduce blood pressure.
Main concern is relapse. Aversion therapy like disufiram or acamprosate and continuous regular follow up with doctor are important things to prevent relapse of alcohol intake after complete detoxification.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
no probably nothing will help, please take him to doctoror or wait
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
Alcohol detoxification requires replacement therapy with benzodiazepine drugs like chlordizepoxide(librium) or lorazepam(ativan) to prevent/treat withdrawal features.These are prescription medicines and you wont get without legal prescription of a doctor.
Shaking is part of alcohol withdrawal features.
Severity and duration of symptoms depend on quantity, quality and duration of intake of alcohol before.
No medicine can treat such symptoms except benzo or alcohol itself. If severity of symptoms are less, symptoms reduce gradually in a week itself.
If it is not feasible to visit doctor only thing which can help him now is some amount of alcohol. Otherwise take him to doctor.
Peopranolol may help to reduce tremors if you can get it over the counter until he reaches to doctor. But give it with some food in 20mg dose as it may reduce blood pressure.
Main concern is relapse. Aversion therapy like disufiram or acamprosate and continuous regular follow up with doctor are important things to prevent relapse of alcohol intake after complete detoxification.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the quick response and the information was indeed helpful. Thanks again!
Brief Answer:
you are welcome , take care
Detailed Answer:
Hi ,
Thanks for feedback.
Hope your near one get well soon.
take care.
You can close the query with rating and feedback if no more question.
you are welcome , take care
Detailed Answer:
Hi ,
Thanks for feedback.
Hope your near one get well soon.
take care.
You can close the query with rating and feedback if no more question.
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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