alcoholics........????????

Question

what are some physical or mental problems alcoholics experience while they are in the process of sobering up????

no no no- i am not an alcoholic. my father has decided that he needs to sober up, and i was wondering what to expect and what he will go through so that i can help him out :)

Answer 1

Alcohol Withdrawal will produce the following symptoms and signs

1.- at the outset the patient is restless and depressed and sleeps badly........
2.- he talks constantly and incoherently, he is incessantly in motion, and desires to go out and to attend to some imaginary business
3.-- hallucinations of sight and hearing develop. He sees objects in the room, such as rats, mice, or snakes, and fancies that they are crawling over his body. the terror inspired by these imaginary objects is great...
4.- there is much muscular tremor, the tongue is covered with a thick white fur, and when protruded is tremulous.
5.- the pulse is soft, rapid, and readily compressed.
6.- there is usually fever, but the temperature rarely registers above 102 to 103....
7.- nausea or vomiting
8.- insomnia is a constant feature
9.- fits

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Answer 2

It depends on how bad they are to start but the first thing you'll notice are DT's. They are tremors that start mild but can become very violent. Vomiting follows which needs to be watched to make sure they don't choke on it. They also need to drink water and if possible replace vitamins. Mentally, hallucinations are not uncommon but more frequently they become very irritable and angry at all around them for no reason we can tell. You'll just have to chalk his words up to the disease. He probably won't remember most of what he says and does when it's all over.

Most of this will last a good three to four full days and nights. Oh yes, sweats, cold and hot. Keep him covered if possible. After the DT's end he'll still be very irritable but that will pass as he begins to eat a regular diet. Something he has been lacking for some time I am sure.

Might not hurt to have him placed in a detox center for this period. They are equipped and experienced to handle this.

Good luck.

Answer 3

He is in for a long hard road he may suffer from the shakes ,withdrawl symtoms, he will have to cope with the body demanding the drink,he qwill need strong will power and the understanding help of his family and friends.The problems he may have depends on how long and hard he has been drinking and varies from person to person,The flip side is he will be in for an early grave and far worse physical or mental problems if he stays drinking.
The treatment of alcoholism is complex, and depends on the individual's particular problems. Some common factors apply to all cases:
Firstly, if there is concern about your own or a relative's drinking habits then seek help early as it is easier to treat at an early stage.
Secondly, the individual must be encouraged to recognise that they have a problem and that they need to obtain help to stop the alcohol dependency.
Finally, having sought help, they must be determined to maintain a change in their drinking habits for the rest of their lives. This can be the most difficult part since drinking may have become established as a means of coping. Ingrained behaviour patterns are difficult to break and all too easy to slip back into.

These are some of the commonly used treatments for alcoholism:

Detoxification
is needed if the individual suffers from severe withdrawal symptoms without a drink. Alcohol dependency on this level makes it almost impossible to stop drinking without help. Such help may involve admission to hospital for "drying out". Any physical or mental problems can then be treated on the spot. Usually this is combined with a programme of ongoing support group work, alcohol education and counselling for long-term success.
Psychotherapy or counselling
is helpful to enable the sufferer to recognise and sort out the underlying problems that have created the alcohol dependency. It is not enough simply try and stop the person from drinking.
Group meetings
such as Alcoholics Anonymous can provide long-term support. This helps an individual to maintain abstinence for the rest of their lives. Very few alcoholics are able to drink any alcohol at all without returning to alcohol dependency.
Medication
is used in the acute withdrawal phase to prevent the "DT's". In the longer term, antidepressants help if depression exists. Other drugs are used to help maintain abstinence. Disulfiram has been used for over 50 years in this way by creating very unpleasant side effects if alcohol is drunk whilst taking it.

Answer 4

Alcohol can be one of the toughest addictions of all. I've personally witnessed two guys in recovery go into convulsive seizures. My understanding is that they could have easily died if skilled assistance wasn't readily available.

My own experience is less dramatic, but a royal pain in the butt, nonetheless. I had difficulty sleeping for almost two years after getting over the addiction. I had unclear thinking for several months afterward.

I lost my job, my marriage, my family.... everything because of alcoholism. I wish I could condense my experience into a pill and give it to a potential alcoholic to see what it's like before he/she goes off the deep end, so that they might stop before it gets too far out of hand. It's a miserable existence.

Answer 5

headache, nausea, they are grouchy, insulting, needy, and a host of others. I go through this with my sister every once in a while. It gets so old.

Answer 6

the hangover stage is what kills brain cells

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ou3Xy5xKGv4

a moment of clarity, delirium tremens (the shakes), the strong urge to drink more alcohol, and possibly death

Answer 7

yes get in touch with you'er doctor or go to the er