Many people are known as a specialist drug and alcohol unit for detox. This is usually better for the people with little home or social support, those with a history of extreme withdrawal symptoms, people with physical illness caused by alcohol, and people where previous attempts to stop alcohol have failed. The medicines used to detox in professional units are a lot the same as GPs prescribe, apart from clomethiazole which should just be used in hospitals. Hospital units have a lot more employees and expertise for giving support and counselling than GPs have. People with serious alcohol related issues might be better off being admitted to hospital for detox. The medication does not make you quit drinking. You require determination to stop. The medicine just helps you to feel better whilst your body readjusts to not having alcohol. Even after the time of detox you might still have a little craving for alcohol. Thus you will still need commitment and coping strategies for when you feel tempted to drink. Other medication sometimes used for alcohol problems * Vitamins, particularly vitamin B1 (thiamine), are often prescribed if you are alcohol dependent - particularly at the time of detoxification. This is because a lot of people who are relying on alcohol do not eat properly and can lack certain vitamins. A lack of vitamin B1 is the commonest. A lack of this vitamin can cause severe brain conditions called Korsakoff's psychosis and Wernicke's encephalopathy. * Naltrexone and acamprosate are medicines that can help to relieve alcohol craving. Either of these may be prescribed to some people after a successful detoxification to assist them to stay off alcohol. * Disulfiram is another medicine that's sometimes used following a successful detox. Once you take disulfiram you get very unpleasant symptoms if you drink any alcohol (like flushing, vomiting, palpitations and headache). Therefore, ultimately, the medicine acts as a discouraging factor for when you are lured to drink. It can help some people to stay off alcohol. * Lorazepam, olanzapine and haloperidol are all used in the treatment of delirium tremens. After detoxification and staying off alcohol Many people who successfully detox return to drinking heavily again eventually. There are various reasons why this may occur. It's thought that you're less likely to return to drinking heavily if you've counselling, or other support to aid you to stay off alcohol. Your doctor, practice nurse, or local drug and alcohol unit might provide ongoing support when you're trying to stay off alcohol. Self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous have also helped a lot of people to stay off alcohol. If you do go back to heavy drinking, you may always try again to stop or reduce. Some people take numerous attempts before they stop drinking, or keep within the safe limits, for good.
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