Alcoholism is a serious problem that not only families of patients, but also specialists – narcologists, therapists, psychologists – are trying to solve. It is a mental illness that is accompanied by dysfunction of internal organs with subsequent organic changes. Its cause is clear to everyone – excessive alcohol consumption. But if a drunkard can still stop and control himself, then an alcoholic falls into chemical and psychological dependence.
All currently known methods of treating alcoholism do not guarantee a complete cure. With their help, an addicted person can stop drinking alcohol, but he is no longer able to drink moderately. The essence of this disease is that a quitting alcoholic, having drunk at least one glass, will continue drinking until all the alcohol is gone.
He is mistaken about being able to drink “like everyone else”. And the task of doctors, psychologists and relatives is to create a long-term remission of the disease. Doctors with medication, psychologists with hypnosis and working on the attitude to drinking, working on the awareness of the dependence, and the family with support and the complete exclusion of alcohol from the “diet” of all family members.
Traditionally, treatment of alcoholism is carried out in several stages:
Stage 1. Conducting detoxification therapy. As a rule, it is carried out in a hospital. Withdrawal from binge drinking in Odessa is an intravenous or intramuscular injection of magnesium sulfate, unithiol, nootropics and vitamins of group B and C. Some, fearing publicity, put IVs at home. But this is ineffective, because a course of treatment is required.
Moreover, such self-medication can end in death due to the unpredictable reaction of the patient’s body to the substances administered and the impossibility of providing timely emergency care if the need suddenly arises.
If a mental disorder is obvious, tranquilizers or barbiturates are prescribed at this stage. The patient, during the entire first stage, should drink a lot, simultaneously taking diuretics. And also eat high-calorie and vitamin-rich food.
Stage 2. Anti-alcohol treatment. And at the same time, restoration of health and psyche. Drugs are taken that exclude accidental alcohol consumption. Let’s consider the most popular ones.
Coding from alcoholism is the suggestion of a prohibition.
There are various author’s methods. The basis of any coding is the fear of alcohol “if you drink – you will die”. The method is most effective when working with patients with high suggestibility.
Conditioned reflex therapy is effective in treating women and patients at stage 1. Its essence is to develop a reaction in the form of vomiting to the smell or taste of alcohol, using injections of apomorphine, a decoction of ram. 20-25 sessions are necessary daily or every other day.
Sensitizing therapy is the introduction of drugs that stop the liver from producing the enzyme that processes ethyl alcohol. As a result, when the patient drinks alcohol, the concentration of ethanol breakdown products increases, which affects the physical condition – nausea, malaise, vomiting, decreased blood pressure, tachycardia, temporary blindness, coma and death are possible.
Such drugs do not provide the physical ability to drink alcohol. The most popular in our country are Torpedo and Esperal. The patient is always warned about the possible consequences of drinking and gives the doctor a receipt. These drugs must be administered periodically, because over time they are excreted from the body and become ineffective.
Stage 3 is family, social and work rehabilitation of alcoholics. It is important that the “tied up” person has a permanent job that will discipline and fill free time. On weekends, various hobbies can perform this function – a summer house, fishing, collecting, embroidery and any others. It is important that loved ones completely give up drinking alcohol – otherwise the patient will feel envy and consider himself deprived.
The craving for alcohol can persist for a long time, so it is necessary to undergo preventive treatment courses, if necessary, take sedatives. With the support of the family, correctly selected treatment methods and, most importantly, their own desire, the patient can lead a full life without alcohol.