Expert: Rebos - 1/8/2007

Question
I want to know is there is any side effects for the de-addiction treatment of alcohol.This is asking for my father who is under treatment.He is a diabetic patient and not co-operative to treatment.We can't withstand with his addiction ,so we take him to the hospital.Iwant to know is any adverse effect for this treatment

Answer
Good morning Sonu, and thank you for your question.

As far as I know there are no adverse side effects associated with the de-addiction treatment program for alcoholism. However, since your father is a diabetic it would be more appropriate for you to consult with his physician. In any case your father should, as suggested in most de-activation programs, attend Alcoholics Anonymous after he leaves the treatment center.

For your information; Stopping drinking is not a matter of willpower. Alcoholism is a disease. Drinking alcoholically is but a symptom of a deeper underlying problem that an alcoholic must face up to in order for an alcoholic to recover. Without learning what that problem is, trying to stay away from a drink is known as “white knuckle sobriety”. It isn’t very long before the alcoholic has to drink again. FOR THE ALCOHOLIC THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS CUTTING DOWN, binge or periodic drinking, drinking only on weekends, changing what they drink, smoking pot or taking other mind altering drugs or even switching to “near beer” with 0.05% alcohol. For the alcoholic nothing will work short of total and complete abstinence from any thing that contains alcohol or other mind-altering substances (drugs). Of course the exception is a medical doctor’s prescription as long as the doctor understands that he or she is dealing with an addicted person.

If I can be of further help please feel free to ask me another question. Thank you, Rebos