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Addiction (Expert Forum)
COMPLICATED ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL
Questions in the Addiction forum are answered by a medical expert.
COMPLICATED ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL
by F-C-TRUELOVE, Feb 15, 1999 12:00AM
MY FATHER RECENTLY HAD TO UNDERGO SURGERY. HE HAS A HISTORY OF HEAVY ALCOHOL USE-TO MY KNOWLEDGE HE HAS CONSUMED A MINIMUM OF 16-20 OZ PER DAY FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS.
APPROXIMATELY 5 DAYS AFTER HIS LAST DRINK WHILE RECOVERING FROM SURGERY HE BECAME EXTREMELY AGITATED, ATTEMPTED TO TEAR OUT IV TUBES ETC AND HAD TO BE RESTRAINED. DOCTORS
BEGAN A TREATMENT WITH ATAVAN( I'M UNSURE OF THE SPELLING). DOSAGE HAS BEEN PROGRESSIVELY REDUCED. HOWEVER, YESTERDAY 6 DAYS AFTER TREATMENT BEGAN, DOSAGE WAS REDUCED TO 1MG PER 8
HOURS AND HE BEGAN TO BECOME EXTREMELY AGITATED AGAIN. IS IT LIKELY THAT SEVERE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS SHOULD PERSIST THIS LONG OR SHOULD WE BE LOOKING IN OTHER DIRECTIONS AS WELL?
NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE MEDICAL PROBLEMS THAT PRECIPITATED THE SURGERY- CORONARY ARTERY BLOCKAGE, ILIAC ARTERY BLOCKAGE, GENERAL HEART DISEASE AND ARTERY DISEASE- ARE COMPLICATING THE ALCOHOL
WITHDRAWAL, BUT HOW LONG SHOULD WE EXPECT THE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS TO PERSIST.
THANKS
Doctor's Answer
by HVMA R.N.,C.S.- Deb S., Feb 15, 1999 12:00AM
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It is difficult to ascertain exactly what was going on in your father's withdrawal situation, however withdrawal symptoms (from alcohol) can occur up to two weeks after the last drink. In general, the most serious time is the first 3 days after abrupt cessation of alcohol, but again symptoms can occur within a one to two week span. Ativan is a short acting drug called a benzodiazepine, and if it is withdrawn too rapidly it can cause agitation and withdrawal symptoms similar to alcohol. Although the benzodiazepines are chemically similar to alcohol, and are used to treat alcohol withdrawal, tapering off a benzodiazepine often involves a slower, more gradual taper than alcohol. It can take up to two weeks or more to taper off a benzodiazepine, depending on what kind it was (short or long acting). I would definately bring your concerns to your father's physician, however, and if he/she is unaware of the situation, it is important that they know what you have observed with your father. I hope this has been helpful, and that all works out well for you and your father.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition.
Keyword: complicated alcohol withdrawal
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