Detox Bliss

There are a lot of critical symptoms associated with withdrawal from alcoholism, and recommended alcohol detox protocol should always be followed. Many of the symptoms may result in complications and may even result in death if not closely monitored and supervised.

It is important to note that medical professionals assigned to work at detox facilities undergo many years of training in alcohol detox protocol, so those who are not trained in the performance of these procedures should not even attempt to take matters into their own hands.

Withdrawal symptoms

When alcohol is suddenly cut off after years of dependence, the body goes through several withdrawal symptoms. Just a few examples of these symptoms are anxiety, nausea, headaches, mild to severe seizures, and changes in temperament. Professionals trained in detoxification are adept at alcohol detox protocol and know how to properly handle these symptoms.

Which alcohol detox protocol should be used?

Doctors make their choice depending on the type of substance that was abused and the duration of the dependence. In order for them to determine the appropriate type of treatment to use, the patient’s condition is first thoroughly assessed.

Initially, doctors may administer the CIWA-Ar test, or the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol test. This is a type of questionnaire based on the most common symptoms of AWS, or alcohol withdrawal syndrome. After the administration of this test, the specialists then proceed to an established alcohol detox protocol.

One example of this protocol is as follows:

The patient is first diagnosed and the findings stated on the record. The types of activities that the patient is allowed to undergo are then determined and are put down on the record as well. If, for instance, the diagnosis indicates that the patient needs to have complete bedrest, then the doctor would once again administer the CIWA-Ar test until the patient registers a score below within a day.

Other assessments may also be undertaken, and at this point, the patient should be diligently monitored. Afterwards, the physicians give any of three instructions for the patient’s medication.

For the prevention of withdrawal symptoms, doctors are likely to prescribe any of these three treatments:

-Lorazepam (Ativan), 8 mg during the first 24 hours, split into four equal doses; then eight doses of 1 mg each every six hours.
-Diazepam (Valium), 10 mg four times daily, with the dosage reduced to eight doses of 5 mg each, given in 6-hour intervals.
-Chlordiazepoxide (Librium), 4 doses of 200 mg each, administered within the first 24 hours, followed by eight successive doses of 25 mg each given in 6-hour intervals.

The following are the alcohol detox protocol choices for the treatment of withdrawal symptoms:

-Lorazepam (Ativan), an hourly dose of 3 to 6 mg.
-Diazepam (Valium), an hourly dose of 10 to 20 mg.
-Chlordiazepoxide (Librium), an hourly dose of 50 to 100 mg.

These medications have been proven to be highly effective in alleviating the debilitating symptoms brought about by the sudden cessation of alcohol intake, and their administration is undoubtedly a compulsory action in detoxification. Normally, large doses are given for the first 24 hours and the doses are subsequently reduced as the patient slowly recovers.

Failure to administer the proper alcohol detox protocol may result in a medical emergency. The patient may experience what is known as alcohol hallucinosis – this involves visual and auditory, even tactile hallucinations, which occur just a few hours after the patient’s last drink.

If, despite the medications, withdrawal symptoms still remain to be unmanageable, a different alcohol detox protocol is used: A 2 to 5 mg intramuscular (IM) or intravenous (IV) injection of Haloperidol, or Haldol, is administered; or a similar dose of Haldol is given together with an IM or IV injection of 2 to 4 mg of Activa or Lorazepam.