Alcohol Detox And Withdrawal Treatment In Pennsylvania

It can be extremely difficult for people to stop drinking even if they want to because of withdrawal symptoms

. The more a person has been drinking, the more severe the withdrawal symptoms in most cases; although, certain health conditions can make withdrawal symptoms worse as well. Alcohol treatment programs PAoften have to start out by helping patients detox safely before counseling and other support programs can begin.

What is Alcohol Withdrawal?

Withdrawal occurs because chemical changes have occurred in the body due to the constant presence of alcohol. When the alcohol is removed, it takes some time for the body to return to normal function. Withdrawal may occur as early as 2 hours after an alcoholic stops drinking and can last up to a week, but the symptoms are usually worst between 5 and 48 hours after the last drink.

Alcohol withdrawal treatment PAaims to help patients through the symptoms that may occur including:

- Anxiety

- Depression

- Jumpiness

- Mood swings

- Fatigue

- Sweating

- Nausea

Most alcohol withdrawal symptoms are not dangerous but merely unpleasant. However, the risk of a severe form of alcohol withdrawal called delirium tremens means that it is important for alcoholics to detox in an experienced alcohol withdrawal treatment PA facility. If a patient starts showing signs of symptoms of this more severe form of withdrawal the Pennsylvania facility can provide medical help. Symptoms of delirium tremens include all of the same symptoms of alcohol withdrawal as well as:

- Agitation

- Seizures

- Extreme confusion

- Hallucinations

- Fever

Treatment for Withdrawal Symptoms

A set of prescription drugs that target various symptoms can be used to help patients in alcohol treatment programs PA. Benzodiazepines, which are drugs like Valium, can help reduce the symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. Beta-blockers can be used to help patients who experience an increase in heart rate due to withdrawal. Antipsychotic drugs can be used to help patients avoid hallucinations and agitation. Not only do these prescription drugs help patients be more comfortable during the process of alcohol withdrawal but they also decrease the risk of serious symptoms.

Typical Treatment Plan

Some treatment centers provide both the medical detox portion of treatment and the counseling and rehabilitation portion. However, more and more these two areas are being separated. Detox typically takes place at a facility that specializes in helping people through this part of treatment on an inpatient basis over a period of five to seven days or so.

The detox portion of treatment may take place at a hospital, a special facility specializing in drug and alcohol detoxification, or an alcohol treatment center with the appropriate facilities and staff. Although minor symptoms of alcohol withdrawal may persist for longer, the majority of the detox process is complete within one week. After this time treatment centers tend to focus on helping alcoholics make lifestyle changes and develop strategies to deal with their lives without alcohol. This is usually done with the help of a counselor or psychologist in the form of group or individual therapy.

by: William Hauselberg

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