Many people are known as a specialist alcohol and drug unit for detox. Normally, this is better for the people with little home or social support, those with a history of extreme withdrawal symptoms, those with physical illness caused by alcohol, and those where past attempts to stop alcohol have failed. The medications used to detox in professional units are a lot the same as GPs prescribe, aside from clomethiazole which should just be used in hospitals. Hospital units have more employees and knowledge for giving aid 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 need determination to quit. The medication simply helps you to feel better whilst your body readjusts to not having alcohol. Even after the period of detoxification you may still have a little craving for alcohol. Thus you will still need willpower and coping strategies for when you feel tempted to drink. Other medication sometimes used for alcohol issues * 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 most common. A lack of this vitamin can cause severe brain conditions known as 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. When you take disulfiram you get extremely unpleasant symptoms if you drink any alcohol (like palpitations, headache, flushing and vomiting). Therefore, in effect, the medicine acts as a discouraging factor for when you're lured to drink. It may help some people to stay off alcohol. * Olanzapine, haloperidol and lorazepam 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 at some point. There are various reasons why this might occur. It's thought that you are less likely to return to drinking heavily if you've counselling, or other support to aid you to stay off alcohol. Your physician, practice nurse, or local drug and alcohol unit might provide ongoing support when you're trying to stay off alcohol. Self help groups like Alcoholics Anonymous have also helped many people to stay off alcohol. If you do return to heavy drinking, you can 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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