ALCOHOL DETOXIFICATION

Transcription

1 East Sssex Drg & Alcohol Service ALCOHOL DETOXIFICATION WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW CALL OUR 24-HOUR NUMBER:

2 INTRODUCTION TO ALCOHOL DETOXIFICATION Detoxification from alcohol is a recognised medical procedre that will assist yo to stop drinking in a safe and spported way. Yo may experience withdrawal effects if yo stop drinking alcohol after a time of drinking too mch. These withdrawal effects may inclde the shakes, sweating, anxiety, nasea, retching in the mornings, agitation, having fits, seeing things which are not there (hallcinations) and feeling low in mood. Yo may also feel wond-p and find it difficlt to sleep. These withdrawal effects can be very ncomfortable and in extreme cases can be dangeros if they persist into DTs (delirim tremens). Dring an alcohol detoxification yo will be provided with prescribed medication to help redce these withdrawal symptoms. This medication relieves anxiety and tension, aids sleep and also prevents fits. Medication controls the withdrawal symptoms ntil the body is free of alcohol and has settled down. This sally takes three to seven days from the time yo stop drinking. In some circmstances alcohol detoxification can be given at home. The preferred method of detoxification - which is called amblatory detoxification - takes place at East Sssex Recovery Service clinics. In-patient detoxification in hospital can be arranged when reqired. PREPARATION FOR ALCOHOL DETOXIFICATION Yor key worker will discss with yo whether yo reqire a detoxification from alcohol. If yo are to have a detoxification yo will first be asked to have some blood tests and a medical assessment from the service doctor. Then, if yo are medically sitable, we will arrange a home, commnity or hospital detoxification. Yor key worker will discss these options with yo. It is important that yo attend all key worker meetings before yor detoxification programme starts in order to prepare for the programme and begin to plan yor life withot alcohol. Yo will be advised how to redce yor drinking prior to starting the programme. 1 2

3 DURING ALCOHOL DETOXIFICATION Yo shold not drink any alcohol dring the programme and yo will take a breath test every day to confirm yor abstinence. Yo will be given prescribed medication on the first day which will relieve yor withdrawal symptoms. Medication will be issed to yo every day for the remainder of the programme by the programme staff. A clinical member of staff will monitor yo every day to see if the detoxification is working effectively. If yo experience difficlties yo shold inform the programme staff. If yo are travelling to a clinic for yor detoxification, yo are strongly advised not to drive or cycle. Yo shold also not work dring the detoxification programme or operate machinery. Dring the programme we will help yo explore the reasons for yor past drinking and plan how yo can avoid retrning to excessive drinking. To prevent frther relapse yo may need to make some significant bt important changes in yor life, for example: Contine with individal or grop conselling to explore the personal aspects of these changes. Change or alter relationships that might threaten yor sobriety, and avoid friends, places and sitations that present a high risk of drinking. Address social or domestic pressres and demands that may trigger frther drinking. Join local AA grops or other non-drinking grops. Following a detoxification, we recommend that yo shold contine to abstain from drinking indefinitely. People who have been dependent on alcohol have a very high risk of retrning to dependence if they start to drink even small amonts. Yor key worker will discss the implications of lifelong abstinence with yo. 3 4

4 AFTER ALCOHOL DETOXIFICATION It is recommended, and expected, that yo engage with CRI psychosocial services (sch as key worker meetings, grop meetings, coples meetings and conselling), immediately after a detoxification programme. Yo might wish to consider taking Antabse or Campral medication to help yo avoid relapses. Yor key worker will explore these options with yo. If yo do relapse, yo shold discss this immediately with yor key worker. Yo will be expected to take responsibility for yor drinking and try to safely redce or stop yor drinking qickly. Yo will not atomatically be offered a frther detoxification if yo have started drinking again. Yo will be expected to attend the meetings described in this booklet. Irreglar attendance may lead to a review of the treatment yo receive. We will expect yo to take responsibility for yor treatment and to attend meetings and cooperate with yor treatment plan, and any advice and information given to yo, before yo are considered for any frther detoxification. 5 6

5 Call or 24-hor nmber: For more information visit: Or visit or services Monday to Satrday: 8am-8pm (no appointment necessary). Hastings Thrift Hose, 13 Wellington Place, Hastings TN34 1NY Eastborne Lift Hose, 6 St Leonards Road, Eastborne BN21 3UH Uckfield Variety of locations, please contact the nmber above for more information.