Everything in moderation is supposedly the key to living a healthy lifestyle and this goes for consuming alcohol since it is so easy to get addicted. Drinking is considered pretty normal in the U.S. From college parties to weddings; it is popular and a part of a lot of social activities. But just like everything else, you should only enjoy in moderation. Drinking too much can lead to health problems, dependency, and alcohol addiction.
Using Ativan for Dependency on Alcohol
Alcoholics become dependent on alcohol when they mentally obsess and physically cannot abstain from drinking due to the fears and pains of withdrawal. This can happen after continuous heavy drinking for years, months, and even weeks, depending on how much and how often alcohol is being consumed. One medication used to minimize alcohol withdrawal symptoms in a clinical setting under the supervision of physicians is Ativan, also known as lorazepam. This benzodiazepine minimizes many of the most dangerous and painful alcohol withdrawal symptoms that we will shortly go over.
Coming off alcohol is considered one of the most difficult and dangerous. According to The National Library of Medicine:
Alcohol withdrawal or detox symptoms usually occur within 8 hours after the last drink but can occur days later. Symptoms usually peak by 24 to 72 hours but may go on for weeks.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Anxiety or nervousness
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Jumpiness or shakiness
- Mood swings
- Nightmares
- Not thinking clearly
- Sweating, clammy skin
- Enlarged (dilated) pupils
- Headache
- Insomnia (sleeping difficulty)
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rapid heart rate
- Tremor of the hands or other body parts
- Agitation
- Fever
- Seeing or feeling things that aren’t there (hallucinations)
- Seizures
Detoxing From Alcohol at Allure Detox
When you have reached the point of withdrawals and you want to quit drinking, unfortunately, you can’t just quit cold turkey. It can be deadly to not medically detox with professional supervision.
There are many medicines used to treat alcoholism, such as disulfiram and naltrexone, but benzodiazepines can be used during the detox phase of recovery. The detox process can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the severity of the alcohol use disorder (AUD). Treatment of AUD begins with staff administering prescription drugs, such as benzos, to help. We At Allure Detox are here to help.