|
|
|
Basic InformationMore InformationTestsLatest NewsMarijuana Use Rising Among High School Seniors: Report'Predrinking' Nearly Doubles Booze Consumption: StudyIn Terms of Drinking, the Rich Are Different, Study SaysDelayed Auditory Processing Found in Fetal Alcohol SyndromeHeavy Smokers, Drinkers May Face Pancreatic Cancer Earlier in LifeDrinking, Driving Drops by Half Among Teens: CDCModerate Drinking May Increase Risk of Heart Rhythm Disorder: StudyHealth Tip: Don't Combine Medication and AlcoholWhy Some Mothers (Wrongly) Let Kids Try AlcoholAlcoholism Treatment Saves Families MoneyDoctors Should Screen Adults for Alcohol Misuse, U.S. Panel SaysPrescription Drug Abuse Drops Among U.S. Young AdultsCognitive Ability, Motivation Tied in Addictive BehaviorExtra Steps Urged to Cut Alcohol, Drug Use in Military: ReportQuitting Drinking May Help Alcoholics' Bone Loss'Doctor Shopping' Tied to Fatal Prescription Drug OverdosesHeavy Drinking Linked to Earlier StrokePot Use May Raise Risk of Testicular Cancer: StudyWomen's Brains React Differently Than Men's to Alcoholism, Study FindsHeavy Marijuana Use in Teen Years May Lower IQ LaterPrior Substance Abuse Linked to Opioid Abuse in Young MenTeens Who Drink, Smoke More Likely to Abuse Painkillers: StudyStudy Affirms Marijuana, 'Spice' Harmful in PregnancyBrain Scans May Spot Teens at Risk for Problem DrinkingBooze, Energy Drinks, Casual Sex Combo Common in College: Study'Bath Salts' Demonstrate High Potential for AbuseIllegal 'Bath Salts' Mimic Cocaine in the Brain: StudyEffects of Heavy Alcohol Exposure During Pregnancy EvaluatedHeavy Drinking in Pregnancy Linked to Host of Problems in ChildrenMom's Pot Use Doubles Risk of 'Preemie' Birth: Study'Abuse-Resistant' Oxycontin May Be Driving Addicts to HeroinTeach Prescribers About Dangers of Long-Acting Pain Meds: FDAMethadone for Pain Relief Leading Cause of Fatal Overdoses: CDCSummer Is Peak Time for Teens to Try Drugs, Alcohol: Report40 Million Americans Addicted to Cigarettes, Alcohol or Drugs1 in 10 Fibromyalgia Patients Uses Marijuana to Ease PainGenes May Influence Reactions to PainkillersMore Mental Health Woes in College Kids Who Abuse Prescription DrugsTeen Drinkers May Feel Like Social Outcasts: StudyState Laws Cut Teen Drinking and Driving, Large Study ShowsMental Health Woes Raise Odds for Prescription Painkiller AbuseNeural Link Between Resiliency and Alcohol, Drug Use Identified Questions and AnswersBook ReviewsSelf-Help Groups |
| |
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Detoxification and Diet ConcernsMark Dombeck, Ph.D.Medical and Biological Treatments Detoxification Before any actual drug treatment can occur, it is necessary that drug dependent people be 'detoxified' (meaning that all drugs they are addicted to get physically removed from their bodies). There is no mystery to detoxification - it is a normal body process that occurs whenever someone ingests a drug or other poison. Most all drugs are gradually broken down into less toxic chemicals by the liver and then purged from the body as waste. Often, drug dependent people are physically dependent on one or more substances, and will go into withdrawal if they do not keep a steady level of drug in their systems at all times. While in withdrawal, drug dependent persons are strongly motivated to take more drug or alcohol, as this will lessen their withdrawal symptoms. If they are able to hold out and not take more drugs or alcohol through the period of withdrawal symptoms, the normal process of detoxification will eventually remove all traces of drugs from his or her body. As a general rule, detoxification should always take place while under the care of a medical doctor or other qualified medical professional. Withdrawal symptoms experienced as people come off of some drugs can be very severe and even life-threatening. Persons coming off of alcohol, for example, may experience 'grand mal' seizures strong enough to throw them to the ground. Though less lethally dangerous, other withdrawal symptoms can be severely painful and leave people begging and pleading for more drug to ease their pain. Through appropriate use of medication, a physician can gradually step an addicted person down through the process of detoxification, so that withdrawal symptoms are minimized and no severe, life-threatening symptoms are experienced. Diet and Nutrition Concerns Drug dependent persons often pursue their drugs of choice to the exclusion of eating a healthy diet. It is not uncommon to find that people presenting for drug or alcohol treatment are moderately to severely undernourished and lacking in the proper vitamins and nutrients. Getting drug dependent people on a healthy balanced diet is an important part of treatment. Acute vitamin supplementation may be necessary during detoxification, and advisable on a continuing basis thereafter to promote health. |