Using Librium for Alcohol Withdrawal

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism released interesting research with regards to alcohol abuse. A 2017 study shows that 86.3 percent of people ages 18 or older drank alcohol at some point in their lifetime, whereas 55.9 percent reported they drank in the past month. 

The number has remained the same, and 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes annually, which makes alcohol the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States behind tobacco and poor diet. 

Alcohol use disorder is the official term that describes the inability to control how much alcohol one drinks. It also is the term used to describe people who struggle with showing emotion when they are not drinking. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot overcome an addiction to alcohol with sheer willpower. Alcohol addiction is considered a brain disease, and it makes changes to your brain that make it challenging to stop using alcohol. Alcoholism is a type of alcohol use disorder; milder cases are when people abuse alcohol but aren’t dependent on it. You may have an alcohol use disorder if you:

• Feel like you have to drink
• Can’t control how much you drink
• Feel bad if you do not drink

Treatment Options

Many people find a combination of treatments work best, and you may be able to get them together through a program. Many of those who use alcohol and become dependent will experience severe withdrawal symptoms. 

Alcohol withdrawal is one of the most deadly withdrawal syndromes, and it requires someone to enter into medical detox for help. You may be given medication, such as Librium, to address your withdrawal symptoms. 

Librium for Alcohol Withdrawal

Severe complications accompany alcohol withdrawal. It can cause hallucinations, seizures, and delirium tremens, a severe form of alcohol withdrawal. Benzodiazepines have the best evidence base in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal, and some doctors consider the medication to be the gold standard. 

Heavy drinkers who suddenly decrease their alcohol intake are likely to experience these symptoms, but using Librium can help ease them.

Benzodiazepine medications work on GABA receptors and slow down an overactive nervous system activity that is caused by alcohol cessation. Pharmacological treatment under the care of medical professionals has been deemed safe, and it is the preferred method of treating alcohol withdrawal syndrome. The use of Librium aims to:

• Provide a safe withdrawal from alcohol and enable the client to become drug- or alcohol-free
• Provide alcohol withdrawal that is humane and protects the client’s dignity
• Prepare the client for on-going treatment of their dependence to alcohol

While some may believe they can use Librium to avoid going to a detox center, it may not work without a doctor overseeing the process. While one dose can work for one client, another may not, which makes it crucial to undergo this process under the care of medical professionals. Using Librium for alcohol withdrawal can be highly effective, but only with medical supervision.