Why alcohol detoxification is the best alcoholism treatment

Alcohol detoxification implies the removal of alcohol from the body of an alcohol addict. Alcohol detoxification is brought about by abstinence from alcohol, medication, and altering the diet of the patient. Detox is not possible without support from friends and family and a commitment on the part of the patient to cone out of alcohol damages for successful alcohol recovery.

The liver and kidneys normally carry out alcohol detoxification in the body. However incase of alcohol addiction, alternative alcohol detoxification processes become necessary to nullify alcohol damages and alcohol causes. There are several general practitioners, nurses, and pharmacists who volunteer in alcohol detoxification centers for alcoholics.

In most cases, alcohol detoxification can be done at home for complete alcohol recovery. This is when the alcohol consumption is moderate, but in complicated cases that involve alcohol symptoms such as hallucinations, severe withdrawal and alcohol symptoms, and multi-substance misuse, inpatient detoxification becomes necessary. Volunteers even conduct community detox programs, usually in compliance with the Alcoholics Anonymous. Alcoholics attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are stressed upon the need to be determined to give up alcohol during alcohol treatment.

In extreme cases, medication is used to detoxify heavy drinkers. This is also termed pharmacological alcohol detoxification. Here, the patients are forewarned that they may suffer anxiety and insomnia for a couple of days. The most common drugs used for alcohol detoxification are benzodiazepines, with Chlordiazepoxide being the most preferred benzodiazepine used. Diazepam is also widely used, but fatal effects may occur if it is mixed with huge doses of alcohol. Hence, supervision is necessary for use of diazepam as a detoxifier.

Alcohol detoxification session usually lasts 5 to 6 weeks. The diet is to be protein-rich and with a generous amount of fiber and fluids, and the person should consume water throughout the day. Since most alcoholics have sugar problems, hypoglycemic substances should be consumed. Parsley and chamomile teas are effective alkaloids which stimulate kidney elimination processes.

Inpatient alcohol detoxification is carried out in alcohol rehabilitation centers, but there is a social stigma attached to being admitted in such an alcohol rehabilitation centers. Usually, such centers are located in the lesser-developed areas of the country, causing people from affluent classes to be reluctant to be admitted in them. Also, the ratio of workers to patients is generally 1:4, meaning that there is an emphasis on self-care.