Alcohol Detox Symptoms

Writen by Jimmy Sturo

Alcohol detox is a process by which the addictive substances in the body of an alcoholic are purged for a certain period of time. This period is extremely difficult for some patients since they are made to do a “cold turkey” and go without the alcoholic drink that they have been used to for a long period of time. As a result of this, alcoholic patients experience withdrawal symptoms, which can cause complications and can even become fatal, which is why alcohol detox should only be done under medical supervision. These symptoms add to the difficulty of alcohol detox since some of them can be debilitating. However, patients can expect to take medication and undergo certain medical procedures, by which they can overcome these symptoms.

Common withdrawal symptoms

The signs and symptoms of withdrawal appear between six to 48 hours after the patient “stops” drinking alcohol. Some of the most common symptoms include tremors, mild headaches, cold sweat, vomiting, loss of appetite, insomnia, restlessness, rapid pulse, anxiety and auditory hallucinations. On the other hand, some of the most severe withdrawal symptoms include Delirium Tremors, grand mal seizures and autonomic hyperactivity. The severity of the physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms depends on the patient’s history of alcohol abuse.

Treatment of symptoms

To treat these symptoms, patients are given medication such as anti-convulsants and benzodiazepines, which can help relive some physical symptoms. In some cases, certain medical procedures are also administered to the patient to relieve the symptoms.

Alcohol detox is a painful process because patients who undergo detox exhibit a wide range of withdrawal symptoms, which can lead to more complications. What’s more, some of these symptoms can even be fatal. Given this, detox should only be done under medical supervision, which also ensures that the patient will be given medications. Proper medical attention can help relieve the symptoms and make the whole detox process a little bit more bearable.

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Are You An Addict? Take the Quiz

Writen by Jay Bartels

Are You an Addict? You might think if anyone knew the answer to that question, then surely it would be you. Right? What we don’t realize is the addict is usually the last one to find out he has addictions and always the last to admit that they need help. Denial is the work our addictions plan to keep us sick and using. Let’s take a small quiz and be sure to answer honestly. Remember, your life may depend on it.

1)Do you feel you could function properly if you didn’t take your medication or other drugs at all today?

2)Do you believe that you can stop any time you choose, just on your will power alone?

3)When you are running low on your medication or drug of choice do you become consumed with how you are going to get more before you run out?

4) Has a friend or relative ever expressed their concern over your usage and how they saw it affecting you? Did you feel defensive and express denial or even resentment?

5)Do you feel the medicine or your drug of choice was made for people like you in pain, or anxious, or for any other reason

6)Do you feel that people wouldn’t like you as much if they knew you without your medicine or drug of choice? (Sense of humor, confident, relaxed etc.)

7)Would you be depressed or unhappy if not for your medication or drug of choice?

It is so important to answer these questions honestly to your self more than anything else. If you answered yes to even 1 question then chances are very high that you have an addiction, or at the least a chemical dependency. Either way it is up to you to make the next move. What is the first thing required from you to save your self and find true peace? Admitting to your self that YES, “I’m an addict”. Once you can honestly say this and see this, then you can start on your path to recovery.

If you answered YES to 1 or more of the questions above and still think that you’re not an addict, then history would suggest that you’re not only an addict, but also an addict in denial.

This is not random consensus, it comes from decades of addicts who have found recovery, denounced their addiction, or the millions who have come before you and lost their lives to the disease of addiction.

The recovering community wants to help you. Yes, there are millions of us across the globe, as well as right down the street from you who want to love you, guide you, support you, and see you set free. They were right where you are now. They know you, they are you. ARE YOU AN ADDICT? Don’t be afraid. There’s a wonderful life that awaits you, and wonderful addicts in recovery that will be at your side through out every step of the way.

I felt compelled to add an excerpt from my journal. This entry was made shortly after I admitted I had a problem and I surrendered my will. After all it was MY will that brought me to this mere state of existence.

My Name is Jay and I’m an Addict

LIFE IS GOOD TODAY
Today was another successful day. Any time we make it through a day without using, that day is a great success. Anything else that happens positive for us is just an extra bonus. When you spend so many years as I did not being able to get through a single day without drugs, just to stay clean is a miracle in itself. In recovery we receive one miracle after another, and it’s our gratitude that keeps us clean.
What right do I have to complain about trivial things today, when not very long ago I was homeless and hopeless? Whatever my needs are today, my higher power provides for me, everything. We must have faith that our lives can change for the better; otherwise we’re doomed to stay in the uncomfortable situations we are in. As our lives begin to change for the better, we must continue to turn our will over to God and have the same faith that he will provide for us, just as he pulled us from the ashes, yet we must continue to do the right things as well as do the foot work. It’s important to remember that Faith without works is dead, but when you start believing that life is getting better all the time, then you will truly believe, That Life Is Good Today. To your health and your happiness. Jay Bartels (Clean and Serene since August, 6th 2002)

For Help Visit Narcotics Anonymous - Help Is Here

If you enjoyed this article, please visit Jay’s Family sites at Jays Plan - Secrets of a Single Dad and Family Health With Mister Mom.

Jay Bartels is the author of many human interest stories. Jay’s own story of hope and inspiration can be found on his highly resourceful family sites. Jay is a single father raising two young girls and shares his experiences in several journals that can be found on his web sites. If you would like to contact Jay, he will be happy to accept your email to him at BOCABOYJAY@aol.com

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So Who Exactly is an "Addict" or "Alcoholic" Anyway?

Writen by Carl-Peter Lehmann

It’s a common question many people have. Am I really an addict? ( or How do I know if someone I care about is addicted?) What’s the difference between an alcoholic and drug addict? Is there a difference between a cocaine heroin or even a marijuana addict?

A lot of people today drink alcohol and a fair number use drugs. (Does that make them all alcoholics or drug addicts?) Of course not!

So how do you know for sure?

The difference between someone who is addicted and someone who simply uses or abuses a particular substance is the “compulsion to use” (whatever the substance may be)

And what do I mean by “compulsion to use”?

Simply that most people who for example drink, know when to stop or have the power to say, “enough is enough.” (not always, but most of the time)

Whereas the alcoholic or drug addict can’t say no or simply walk away like most people can. As an addict or alcoholic - once you start it becomes almost impossible to stop - to control your using because the compulsion to use or drink is just too strong.

When you become addicted you almost lose the power to choose. That might sound flimsy or wish-washy, but it’s not and I’ll tell you why in the next part of this course

The other big question is what’s the difference between being an alcoholic or drug addict, whatever your drug of choice may be?

If you look at it carefully not a lot actually. Yes your drug (or drink) of choice may be different create a different form of high (or feeling), but the end result is still pretty much the same, i.e. “addiction,” which leads to “destruction” - or call it what you will - (mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally) and which can ultimately lead to the heaviest price that anyone can pay death.

So as a heroin addict that process might happen fairly quickly, whereas for the alcoholic it may happen far more gradually over a number of years, yet the consequences (no matter what the substance), of addiction will be very similar.

That’s why it’s a good idea to start thinking in terms of “addict” rather than “alcoholic,” “drug addict,” “junkie” or whatever you’ve been thinking of or using to describe such a person up to now. (Addicts like to think of themselves as “special and different” and that their problems are unique - but in actual fact they are no different to any other “addict”). I know I’ve been there

Why do you think most major rehab facilities treat alcoholism, drug addiction and even things like gambling and sex addiction pretty much the same way?

Addicts even refer to alcohol as a drug because they know that even though for most people it can be enjoyed in moderation - for them it can’t - and that’s why it’s viewed in the same light (even though it may legal and regarded as socially acceptable.)

Carl-Peter has spent the last 10 years researching and trying to understand the nature of addiction … and what it takes to successfully create a fulfilling life … free from drugs and alcohol

This article is from Part 1 of a Free 10 Part e-Course that discusses:
“The Truth behind Addiction,” “How the worst of Addictions be Overcome”
and “What needs to be done to Stay Clean and Sober Forever.”
The full e-Course can be accessed (plus a Bonus Free Report how 3 people
- an addict, a parent and lover of an addict - Survived Addiction )at:
http://www.addition-uncovered.com/

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