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Preparation for Detoxification

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Alcohol Use: Assessment, Withdrawal Management, Treatment and Therapy

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Abstract

In this chapter, we will discuss the importance and the role of structured preparation before medically assisted withdrawal (also referred to as detoxification), an approach which is consistent with the pre-habilitation paradigm in medicine. Such an approach is necessary, given the limited effectiveness of urgent detoxifications (NICE, CG115 Alcohol-use disorders: diagnosis, assessment and management of harmful drinking (high-risk drinking) and alcohol dependence, National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence, 2010), the limited effectiveness of existing treatment models (Public Health England, Alcohol and drug treatment for adults: statistics summary 2017 to 2018) and the emerging evidence of side effects associated with repeated detoxifications. We will discuss and give examples of how structured preparation has been implemented within outpatient community services of the National Health Service of England. In this chapter, we will also discuss the potential use of medication during this stage and while the individual is still drinking. Structured preparation includes preparing the individual’s family for change and the immediate social environment alongside changes required by the person, such as partial control over drinking, introduction of lifestyle changes, as well as planning for aftercare.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Chertsey, Surrey, UK

    Christos Kouimtsidis

  2. Department of Medicine, University of St Andrew’s, St Andrew, Scotland

    Christos Kouimtsidis

  3. Department of Medicine, Brain Science Division, Imperial College, London, UK

    Christos Kouimtsidis

  4. Institute of Mental Health, Nottingham, UK

    Musa Sami

  5. University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

    Musa Sami

  6. Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Nottingham, UK

    Musa Sami

  7. Alcohol Care Team, Addictions Department, IOPPN, King’s College, Kings College Hospital, London, UK

    Nicola Kalik

Authors
  1. Christos Kouimtsidis
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  2. Musa Sami
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  3. Nicola Kalik
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, Middlesex University, Horsham, West Sussex, UK

    David B. Cooper

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Kouimtsidis, C., Sami, M., Kalik, N. (2023). Preparation for Detoxification. In: Cooper, D.B. (eds) Alcohol Use: Assessment, Withdrawal Management, Treatment and Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-18381-2_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-18381-2_18

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