it is dangerous to stop drinking alcohol without medical supervision for individuals that are dependent on daily alcohol use (people who experience withdrawal symptoms, such as shakes, sweats, and nausea when they try to stop drinking alcohol). The most serious consequences include Delirium Tremens (“DTs”), and withdrawal seizures. Serious consequences from alcohol withdrawal can result in death and disability.
The safest way to go through alcohol withdrawal management is at an inpatient detox facility (local options https://acornhealthandrecovery.com/detox/ ).In individuals who do not have any risk factors for severe withdrawal, they can be considered for an outpatient withdrawal management program. Individuals must be in generally good health, with no history of withdrawal seizures, or delirium tremens; have a safe place to live; they must have a responsible adult present at their residence for monitoring; and they must have bloodwork done with acceptable results (labs would be ordered at time of consultation).
Patients that are interested in this approach are welcome to call to make an in person evaluation. An individualized plan can be developed for people that are eligible for this approach. Typically the plan involves a prescription of a short course of long acting benzodiazepines (such as diazepam or chlordiazepoxide) on a schedule, combined with comfort medications, vitamin recommendations, meeting recommendations, and counseling recommendations. Individuals are monitored daily until their withdrawal management is complete.
A long term recovery plan is also encouraged. We can help line individuals up with appropriate treatment programs that may included individual counseling (https://acornhealthandrecovery.com/counseling/), group support meetings (https://acornhealthandrecovery.com/links/group-support-links/), outpatient treatment support (https://acornhealthandrecovery.com/php-iop/). Anticraving medications can be an important part of a long-term treatment plan, and we offer FDA approved alcohol anticraving medications naltrexone (oral and intramuscular (Vivitrol)), and acamprosate. If necessary, we can prescribe other medications that can help with recovery including antabuse (rarely prescribed, but we will if necessary), and off-label but evidence-based options for alcohol cravings including topiramate and baclofen. All patients are assessed for other medical conditions that can exist along with alcohol use disorder. Depression and anxiety are commonly treated in conjunction with alcohol use disorder. Psychiatric and medical conditions that can not be managed by this office are referred appropriately as indicated.