Addiction to Alcohol/What are "DT's"

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Expert: - 2/7/2009


Question
My fiance drinks 2-3 bottles of wine every day. If he does not have "a glass" every 6-8 hours he claims he goes through "DT's" which he classifies as almost a hangover feeling, nausea, can't concentrate, blurred vision, feeling of exhaustion. I am so concerned for him. He admits he may have a problem, but does not want to get professional help because he is part of an elite police force. Any organic suggestions?

Answer
Hi Jennifer,

You're right to be concerned. DT stands of delirium tremens, which happens when a chronic alcoholic withdraws from alcohol for 3 - 5 days. The symptoms include confusion, disorientation, hallucination, hyperactivity and extreme cardiovascular disturbance. This can even lead to seizures leading to death.

Your fiance probably experiences shaking when he stops drinking. And because he's scared he continues drinking.

These symptoms can be eliminated with proper medical treatment.

There are no organic treatments. Your fiance must go through medical detox to get the alcohol out of his system. From there he should go to AA meetings and get himself a sponsor. This is a very serious problem and your fiance must get help.

Here are treatment options:
http://www.untwist-your-thinking.com/treatment.html

I hope this is helpful,
Thank you for contacting All Experts,

Let me know if you have further questions,
Good luck!

Bev
http://www.untwist-your-thinking.com

Addiction to Alcohol

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Beverley Glazer

Expertise

I can answer questions on all addictive behaviors: alcohol, drugs, food, compulsive sex, codependency, gambling, compulsive shoplifting etc.

Experience

I have over 20 years experience working in the addiction field. My experience extends to all levels of substance abuse. I've worked in rehabs and detox centers, prisons and half-way houses and have a busy private practice as well as an active website where I can be reached for recovery coaching and consultation. I am a cognitive behavioral therapist, but 12-step programs are an excellent support. When working in the addiction field, there is no cookie-cutter solution. In the recovery field, you witness miracles. That's why I love what I do.

Organizations
NAADAC The Association for Addiction Professionals, CACCF Canadian Addiction Counselors Federation, CCA Canadian Counseling Association, For more information please see: http://www.untwist-your-thinking.com

Education/Credentials
BA Psychology, MA Counseling Psychology, ICADC International Alcohol and Drug Counselor, ICAC International Clinical Addiction Counselor, CGC Certified Gambling Counselor.

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