Patient information leaflets
tel:I will visit your partner or friend on a regular basis to supervise their treatment. I will also support you in your role. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to discuss these during my visit. You can also contact me on the telephone number given at the start of this leaflet.
How you can help
Safety
Your partner or friend may feel shaky or drowsy. Especially in the early stages. It is important during this time:
- to make the home surroundings as safe as possible
- that they do not drive or operate machinery
Environment
During detox your partner or friend may complain of:
- extreme sensitivity to light and noise
- feeling anxious, and
- may appear irritable
Try, therefore, to keep his or her surroundings as calm, relaxing and quiet as possible.
Emotional symptoms
Your friend or partner may feel anxious or fearful, or may not able to sleep. If this is the case, try to reassure them, and:
- avoid unnecessary demands or stresses
- allow him or her to have plenty of rest. Especially in the first few days
- try to discourage too much napping during the day. as this may stop them sleeping at night
- Withdrawal symptoms can be worse at night. Your friend or partner may find it helpful if a soft light is kept on in the bedroom
Fluids
In the early stages your friend or partner may sweat a lot, be sick, or both. It is important that they drink a lot of fluids.
- orange juice may irritate the stomach and cause sickness
- milk is better as it helps digestive problems
- water is an excellent thirst quencher
- avoid too much tea and coffee, as they both contain caffeine. This can cause sleep problems and
nervousness
Eating
Try to get your partner or friend to eat small meals and often, if possible. Do not worry if this is not possible in the first few days. The tablets the GP prescribes will help to replace any lost vitamins. It is best to offer a diet rich in protein and vitamins. For example:
- protein includes fish, dairy products, and vegetables
- vitamins includes cereals, nuts and poultry
Medicines
Medicine will have been prescribed to increase safety and comfort during the withdrawal period:
- it is important that the right dose is given and only for 7 to 10 days.
- I will explain to you about any side effects to look out for
- it is important that you agree to take charge of the medicine. This will mean that you keep it and give it as prescribed
- we will give you both a chart to record all the drugs taken, the dose, the time given and any side effects
Withdrawal fits:
It is very rare for people to have a withdrawal fit during detox. If this should happen to your friend or partner, it is important that you follow a few simple rules.
- when a person has a fit, they will collapse, their limbs and body will shake and twitch
- the person may appear to stop breathing. They may go blue in the face and hands. This is perfectly normal and their usual colour will return when the fit stops
- this may be dramatic and frightening to you, buy do not be tempted to do anything at this stage
you will be of more help if you move anything that might cause injury out of the way - this stage may last for a few seconds or a few minutes
Call 999 for an ambulance immediately if:
- the fit lasts longer than a few minutes
- the fit stops and starts in rapid succession
- you feel worried
Most people make a quick and full recovery, with no long term effects. Here are a few do's and donts to help you.
- dont try to restrict the person when he or she is having a fit
- dont put, or force anything into their mouth during the fit. This may cause damage to their teeth and mouth.
- It may also cause damage your hands.
- do remove anything that the person may knock himself or herself on
- do time the fit if possible
After the fit has stopped
- When the fit has stopped the person will go into a semi conscious state. This is perfectly normal.
- check the mouth and make sure the airway is clear
- if there are any obstructions remove them
- lay the person on one side in a semi-prone position. I will explain how to do this if you are
not sure. - make sure that the mouth is clear of any obstructions. Place the head in a way that will allow any fluids, or vomit to run freely out without being inhaled.
- for a short time after waking the person may appear irritable, confused or disorientated. This is natural and will not last.
- allow the person time to come round completely. Then make him or her comfortable and explain what has happened.
- loss of muscle control during the fit may have caused incontinence. This will embarrass your partner or friend. Do reassure him or her that this is all right and normal.
- as soon as your friend or partner feels able, help him or her to change into comfortable dry clothes