Treatment for Alcoholism

All alcoholics need counselling, lifestyle and metabolic balancing therapies through all four stages of alcoholism, active alcohol consumption, withdrawal – sometimes called detoxification, recovery and recovered. A total symptomatic medical examination is also essential because of the high risk that the alcoholic individual will develop a broad diversity of diseases.

Recovery is often difficult to maintain because withdrawal does not stop craving. For an individual in an early stage of alcoholism, withdrawal brings anxiety and poor quality of sleep. Individuals with a history of long-term consumption may experience shaking out of control, panic, spasms and hallucinations of delirium tremens (DT). Alcoholics with DT should be treated professionally as the mortality rate for DT sufferers without treatment is up to 35%, much higher than of those receiving treatment of 5%.

Nutrition and Diet

For some therapists the stabilisation of blood sugar levels is key to a successful treatment. They recommend the elimination of all dietary sugars (sucrose, fructose or glucose, fruit juice, dried fruit including low-fibre fruits such as grapes and citrus fruits), the reduction of processed carbohydrates in the diet (such as white flour, white rice and instant potatoes) and the increase of complex carbohydrates and vegetable protein (whole grains, beans and vegetables).

Most alcoholics have a poor nutrition level and are often recommended the following nutritional supplements: Vitamin A, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Magnesium, Selenium, Zinc, Carnitine, Glutamine, essential fatty acids and antioxidants . The restoration of these nutrients, especially thiamine or B1, can help withdrawal and recovery.

Exercise

It is recommended that the alcoholic patient exercises about seven times per week for 20 minutes to half hour to bring the heart rate to 60-80 percent of maximum for the age group.

Prevention

And since alcoholics remain susceptible to becoming dependent again, total abstinence is the key to recovery. It may be hard to prevent it, but it can be supported by an ongoing treatment, optimistic incentive and a strong support from family and friends.

Some ways to consider to prevent relapsing include avoiding people or places who drink alcohol, changing daily habits and having a new insight about life. It is important that the emotional, spiritual and social needs of the alcoholic patient are fulfilled during the treatment. Self-help books can be of great help, as they are based on the simple proposition of taking responsibility of your own life, health and reality. Joining a self-help group may help with the withdrawal effects and the craving for alcohol.