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Alcohol Treatment |
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Alcohol treatment involves the
evaluation and management of acute alcohol withdrawal, treatment of nutritional
deficiencies, detoxification, and the maintenance of abstinence. Alcohol
treatment is needed for children, women, and college students, all of whom are
drinking alcohol at increasing rates. Approximately 10% of people who regularly
drink alcohol will develop alcohol dependence. People who repeatedly drink large
volumes of alcohol will develop tolerance. Some of those will also develop
physical dependence.
Alcohol treatment, initially involves the management of alcohol withdrawal.
Alcohol treatment for withdrawal involves the administration, intravenous fluids
and vitamins. Alcohol treatment includes the use of thiamine and folate to
prevent the development of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Alcohol treatment for
seizures, often requires the use of benzodiazepines. Delirium tremens is not
uncommon. Alcohol treatment for detoxification is primarily supportive. Alcohol
treatment once detoxification is complete, involves the use of psychotherapy and
group therapy. Alcoholics anonymous is one effective well-known alcohol
treatment. Medications can be used for alcohol treatment, specifically
disulfiram. Alcohol treatment with disulfiram results in accumulation of a
breakdown product of alcohol, known as acetaldehyde. Patients who drink alcohol
within 12 hours of taking disulfiram for alcohol treatment, generally will
develop flushing, headache, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate, sweating,
dizziness, weakness. Another medication used for alcohol treatment is naltrexone.
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