Mark Intake Alcohol Treatment Research Assignment Paper

Mark Intake Alcohol Treatment
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Mark Intake Alcohol Treatment
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is caused by a sudden reduction in the amount of alcohol consumed usually following a prolonged period of Alcohol abuse. The patient must be prone to the abuse of alcohol, thus the body builds a tolerance to it. Alcohol usage in the initial stages enhances the effects of the GABA hormone. This hormone is responsible for relaxation. Alcohol further, especially where in chronic use, suppresses the neurotransmitter glutamate. This hormone is responsible for excitability. Thus, for alcohol to produce the desired effect in chronic users. More volumes of alcohol must be consumed. Enhanced consumption ultimately results in an impaired ability to perform social and economic functions. The individual can then choose to halt alcohol intake. In an attempt to regain control on the spheres of their life. This sudden reduction or halt in alcohol intake would affect the psyche and physical condition of the individual. The individual would experience mild to severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms. This is due to the stoppage affecting the body equilibrium. The body had grown accustomed and dependent on alcohol to function. Mark experiences some symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Medical intervention is necessary to ensure his condition does not deteriorate significantly which can result in death.
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome include;Shaky hands, Sweating, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, headache etc. Where the syndrome is at an advanced stage, the doctor may notice Delirium tremens (DTs) where the patient is confused and heavily disoriented. Symptoms of onset Delirium tremens may include; disorientation, hallucination, excessive sweating, tremors, irregular pulse, fever, high blood pressure etc CITATION Nat10 \l 1033 ( National Center for Biotechnology Information,, 2010). He has previously experienced a grand mal seizure where he attempted to stop alcohol intake suddenly. This places him at greater risk of developing alcohol withdrawal related seizures. He reports that he is anxious but deliberately understates his anxiety. The doctor notes that he is fidgeting during the interview. He has a headache which he reports at 5 out of a 1-10 distress scale. He has visible tremors in his arms and shoulders. He is excessively sweating as evidenced by the sweat stains on his clothes and sweat beads on his forehead and neck. His vital signs are elevated, noting the discrepancy between his vital signs when he came in at BP = 149/97, pulse 104, respiration rate 18 and now at BP = 154/103, pulse 114, respiration rate 20. He reports feeling nauseous. He is not currently disoriented. However, noting the trajectory of the vital signs and noting he is a chronic drinker. It can be expected that there will onset of severe DTs, if ameliorative measures are...