50 y.O. Pt. With 1-2 yr hx of 4-5 "shots" per day alcohol intake. Also drinks coffee and smokes. Recent arythmia inspired/scared him to "get healthy" in all regards.


Have referred to md for cardio-eval. To r.O. Any underlying disease/pathology. Meanwhile....His question to me (for which I can not find an answer anywhere) is...


1) "can I implement a gradual detox/weaning by going from 5 shots a day for a year or two, to 1 beer a day, say, for a week or two, then off the beer?�

2) will this achieve detox gradually or will it only prolong the detox process?


3) is this a reasonable approach?


Almost all the information I find starts with in-patient care of the emergency patient with subsequent drug treatment. This patient wants to detox without drugs, if at all possible. Naturally, I have made all the 'standard' warnings about how serious detox can be. I invite from you any and all comments, suggestions, and/or referrals to online information.


Thanx in advance,

dr carl, dc
(near seattle)