Detoxification (detox.) medication is used as a "substitute" drug i.e. to "replace" the role of alcohol within the body.

Medication is usually commenced when withdrawal symptoms become apparent i.e. usually 12 to 24 hours after drinking has stopped or significantly reduced.

Detox. medication is usually prescribed for 3 to 14 days - depending on the severity of the symptoms exhibited.

Medication is usually given in a relatively high dose initially - and then the dosage is gradually reduced throughout the detox. programme.

Medication is used to minimise the severity of withdrawal symptoms, such as gastro-intestinal disturbances and tremulousness; to reduce the risk of seizures and hallucinations; to provide anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing properties); and to improve the sleep pattern.

The possible disadvantages of using detox. medication include the risk of overdose (esp. in home detox. programmes); potentiation due to concurrent use of alcohol; substitute dependency if prescribed over long periods; and increased risk of accidents (esp. if oversedated).

Chlormethiazole (heminevrin) was traditionally used for alcohol detox. tho' has become less popular in recent years due to the risks of alcohol potentiation and substitute dependency.

Diazepam (valium) and chlordiazepoxide (librium) are the current drugs of choice - tho' carbamazepine (tegretol), oxazepam, and clobazam (frisium) also used.

Other drugs prescribed during detox. programmes include vitamin supplements (esp. thiamin), phenytoin (epanutin), acamprosate (campral) and disulfiram (antabuse).