Why Vitamin B1 is Important During the Detox Process

February 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment

During the detoxification process there will be a lot of talk about vitamin B1. In fact chances are one of the first things the hospital staff does when you enter the detox center is place an intravenous solution of B1 into the alcohol or drug abuser. Here is a look at what B1 does to the body and why it is important to get those that have a substance abuse problem a high dosage of the vitamin B1.

The vitamin B1 is known as thiamine and is essential to the brain. When a person drinks a high amount of alcohol the body has a tendency to become deprived of the vitamin B1. The body becomes deprived of this vitamin the brain will almost appear to become pickled or dried out. A brain in this state can cause a lot of problems from disorientation to loss of brain function and amnesia.

Many times the vitamin B1 can be replaced through supplements and injections. This allows the brain to receive the nutrients that it needs to work properly. The ability to give the brain back the nutrients that it needs is why many detox centers will start the IV of vitamin B1 right away.

One of the best benefits about the vitamin B1 is that it is water soluble. That means if the person who is receiving the vitamin doesn’t need the amount that is given to them the vitamin will absorb in the body and not cause the person any potential harm. This reason is why many detox centers will give it to a substance abuser regardless of what course of treatment they wish to undergo.

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The Importance of Nutritional Therapy During The Detoxification Process

February 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The detoxification process that an alcoholic or drug abuser goes through is a complex process. Chances are they will be suffering from extreme withdrawal symptoms as well as intense cravings for the substance of choice. While there are many aspects of the detoxification process that are medical in nature there is also an emphasis on the nutritional side as well.

Many alcoholics and drug addicts suffer from intense malnutrition. It is believed that the malnutrition can often lead to cravings for the drugs or alcohol. This belief is why many people who undergo the detoxification process are also undergoing nutritional therapy. Nutritional therapy helps the body receive the nutrition that it needs to subside the cravings for the drugs and alcohol.

Nutrition is also a major element when it comes to the detoxification process because there are certain supplements and vitamins that help aid the detoxification process. The most popular type of supplement and vitamins that are used during the detoxification process are those of Zinc and vitamin C. It is believed that Zinc and vitamin C help with the detox process as well as help get the addict’s judgment and body back into shape.

Another element that is focused upon during nutritional therapy for the time during detox is that of the antioxidants. Many drug and alcohol addicts have increased levels of free radicals in their body. Free radicals will damage the body’s organs and tissues. Antioxidants are believed to flush the free radicals and help repair the body. Antioxidants that are used during nutritional therapy include beta-carotene, vitamins E and C, Zinc and selenium. These will all help flush the free radicals from the body and help with the detoxification process.

Nutritional therapy during the detoxification process is essential for any substance abuser because it allows them to rid the body of harmful toxins as well as get their nutrition back to the levels it should be.

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Alcohol Withdrawal

December 14, 2010 by Leave a Comment
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Alcohol Withdrawal
Alcohol addiction follows 4 basic characteristics.

The urge to repeat the process of getting high on alcohol can be quite overwhelming, and can sometimes be stronger than the person’s will power, in spite of the full awareness of the risks

The urge to satisfy the craving for alcohol becomes the number one priority in the addict’s life, eventually becoming greater than any of the other needs of the body, including hunger, sexual needs, and even survival

Any emotional high or low can trigger the desire to drink, making it inextricably linked with almost every aspect of life

No matter how long a person has been sober, the risk of falling back into the habit is always there. An alcohol-abusing person can never be cured of his habit, but can only learn to control it.

The tolerance for alcohol increases over continued consumption, which leads the person to assume that he can now drink more. It also leads to him drinking more to achieve the same high. Over a period of time, with regular use of alcohol, the liver might eventually get damaged. This manifests itself as a reverse tolerance where the body’s tolerance appears to go down. This is a sign of an advanced stage of alcoholism.
First stage Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are::

  • Hangovers
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Irritability, anxiety and restlessness
  • Tremors or Morning Shakes
  • Physical weakness accompanied by a rapid heart rate
  • Mental sluggishness
  • Difficulty in thinking

If the person was not a heavy drinker or severely addicted, these symptoms clear up on their own after a period of abstinence. Second stage withdrawal can bring convulsions where the person experiences seizures after 12-48 hours of the last drink, unconsciousness and body control.

Third stage symptoms can be alcoholic hallucinates and delirium tremens. There may be a chance of death at this stage of withdrawal, without medical supervision.

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What To Expect In The Detox Stage

October 10, 2010 by Leave a Comment
ASHKELON, ISRAEL - JUNE 11: Dr. Andre Waisman...
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“Detox” is short for “detoxification”, the stage in which the body is undergoing both physical and psychological withdrawal from the substance of abuse, and metabolizing the drug for removal from the body as well as starting to repair the damage that has been caused from abusing drugs or alcohol. It is necessary that a person undergo detox before continuing in a drug rehabilitation program, and, unfortunately, it is not a pleasant experience.

The withdrawal phase is part of the detox stage. This phase can start as early as thirty minutes to an hour after the last drink or alcohol or last drug “fix”. Early signs include stronger cravings, excessive sweating and nervousness.

As a person goes longer without drinking or taking a drug, the body continues to react to the absence of the drug. The cravings become more intense, and the body begins to react in other physical and psychological ways. Nausea and vomiting may occur, either preceded or accompanied by severe abdominal cramps.

Muscle tremors start to appear, and become more pronounced as more of the drug or alcohol is metabolized and the levels present in the body begin to fall. The person may begin to suffer hallucinations or the feeling that insects are crawling all over his body, when indeed none are present.

Eventually, the withdrawal symptoms do begin to abate, but the detox process continues as the body works to rid itself of all traces of the drug or alcohol. It can sometimes take as long as a week for full detoxification to occur.

Many drug rehabilitation programs will not allow admittance until the detoxification phase has completely passed. Some facilities, however, are equipped to handle the detox phase, and will go ahead and admit the person. Once the detox phase has passed, the patient immediately begins the rest of the drug rehabilitation program.

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What To Expect During Detox

August 11, 2010 by Leave a Comment

When overcoming an addiction to drugs or alcohol, the first step of many addiction treatment programs is the detoxification stage. This crucial step in getting over an addiction involves removing the drug or alcohol completely from your body and is often accompanied by withdrawal symptoms. While the length of the detox varies depending on the program and the drug, it usually lasts about a week.

If you are worried about the detox portion of your treatment or are unsure of what to expect, the following are a few things you can expect during the detox phase:

1) Medical supervision. When drugs are involved, the detox phase is almost always done in an inpatient facility or hospital so you can be closely monitored by doctors. The doctor will monitor your vital signs like breathing and blood pressure, and will also give any medications he or she deems necessary. These can help you with your symptoms as well.
2) Withdrawal symptoms. As the drugs or alcohol are leaving your body, you will experience withdrawal symptoms because your body has come to rely heavily on drugs or alcohol, and responds adversely when they are no longer there. Some of the most common side effects of detox include sweating and/or chills, strong drug cravings, vomiting and nausea, stomach cramps and diarrhea, and insomnia.
3) Emotional side effects. The detox period is emotionally draining as well as physically draining. You will most likely experience some emotional side effects, such as depression, irritability, or anxiety. Everyone responds differently to detox, but there will be trained counselors and support staff to help you through the emotional side effects.

Detox may not be a pleasant experience or one anyone looks forward to, the symptoms and side effects are only temporary. It is a vital step in progressing towards the life you want.

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