ANSWERS: 1
  • Alcohol detox, or detoxification, is the process that someone who is addicted to alcohol must go through to break the addiction. There are several stages and levels of severity to an alcohol detoxification that will vary from person to person.

    Detoxification and Addiction

    All addictive drugs, including alcohol, will require a detox period to break the addiction. This period will include withdrawal symptoms.

    Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS)

    The painful symptoms that an alcoholic experiences during detoxification are collectively known as Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS).

    Severity of AWS

    The severity of the AWS that a recovering addict experiences will depend on the level and duration of alcohol use during the period of addiction. The longer the period of addiction and the higher the quantity of alcohol that was consumed, the more severe the AWS will be.

    Symptoms of AWS

    The symptoms of AWS include shaking or tremors, headaches, vomiting, sweating, restlessness, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, hyperactivity, and convulsions.

    Progression of Symptoms

    The initial symptoms of AWS are considered minor during the period known as "early withdrawal," then major during the period known as "late withdrawal."

    Duration of AWS

    AWS begins approximately 12 hours after the addict consumes his last drink and can last from 3 to 14 days. A detoxification is considered complete when the final signs of AWS have disappeared.

    Source:

    Addiction Search.com: Drug and Alcohol Detoxification

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