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Suggest Treatment For Withdrawal Symptoms Of Alcohol

Posted on Fri, 15 Jul 2016

Question: about a month ago my 43 year old son quit drinking alcohol. he went through severe withdrawals without seeing a dr. vomiting, diarrhea, hallucination, etc for about a week. He no longer has these symptoms but he continues to have severe fatigue, loss of appetite. Eats very little but drinks fluids with no problems. He no longer is drinking alcohol. will these other symptoms eventually go away? No jaundice or pain. sometimes severe headaches. he does not take any medication, aspirin, etc.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
At least give him thiamine

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.

I am sorry to know that no medical help was provided while withdrawing from alcohol. Unfortunately simple measures to prevent damage not undertaken.

Having said this I request you to provide high dosage of thiamine (300 m per day). Although it will not reverse everything damaged during this process but will help him to get a great improvement. The fatigue and loss of appetite will remain for some time but there is good chance of improvement.

For severe headache give him simple paracetamol or ibuprofen rather than anything else. In case it continues please see a doctor as it may be the reason for alcohol intake again.

I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (38 minutes later)

Thank you for your reply and recommendation. We will get started on Thiamine right away.
do I understand that if he continues with the headaches, that the headaches may cause him to take alcohol again? He is very stubborn and very adamant that he does not want to see the doctor. Thanks again.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes it is a risk factor

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.

I am glad to know that information was useful for you and you are going to start Thiamine for him.

Regarding headache it is potential excuse to take alcohol for anybody with history of alcoholism. Since alcohol helps in headache person self medicates himself to relieve pain.

I understand it is difficult to convince somebody with adamant and stubborn attitude but persuading him on on or another perspective may help.

I hope this helps you further.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.

Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar