The alcohol withdrawal syndrome is the set of symptoms that arise when a person who has the habit of ingesting large amounts of alcohol every day stops suddenly from doing so.
This disease is common in people with alcoholism - the physical and psychic dependence on alcohol - who begin the process of rehabilitation.
In 2012, according to the World Health Organization, 3.3 million people died worldwide due to the exacerbated consumption of alcoholic beverages. This number corresponds to 5.7% of the total deaths that year. In addition, several studies show that alcohol contributes to the development of more than 200 diseases, and can often lead to death.
Alcohol is also considered to be the fifth major risk factor for leading a person to early death or permanent disability. Among people aged 15 to 49, alcohol is the first on the list.
Alcohol Abstinence Syndrome Treatment
There are three main goals for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome:
- Decrease the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal
- Preventing possible health complications
- Make the patient no longer feel like drinking and prepares him to continue the treatment on his own, without the need for any medical interventions.
Some patients with severe symptoms may need hospital admission or in rehabilitation clinics. At these sites, treatment usually includes the use of intravenous medications, monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate and constant analysis of levels of substances in the blood.
However, if the doctor feels confident in the patient and realizes that the symptoms manifested by him are not serious, he may follow the treatment out of hospitals or rehabilitation clinics. In such cases, the patient should commit to following the treatment as indicated and attending all medical appointments. Routine blood tests and treatments of other health conditions that are involved with alcoholism may be done.
Counseling from family and friends is a key part of treatment in both cases.
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