What your friend is going through is a physical crisis. Years of alcohol at an unhealthy rate make basic changes to the body's ability to live with itself - its homeostasis - and now it's having to adjust. It's a grueling process and yes, you get mental depression and spiritual crises and emotional turmoil and just about everything else you need to screw up your life - that part of it that alcohol didn't already screw up - and it isn't in your head, it's in your body.
That's what detox is - the mental stuff comes later. The spiritual part is what gets you through both. FReeper Larry Johnson gave two words of advice that weren't flippant at all - when your friend "needs" a drink he/she should work out. Weights are wonderful for it, so is a kick/punching bag, whatever it takes. Not only does it work out frustration but it speeds the body's healing process. Lots of water helps - the body has endured years of dehydration through alcohol abuse. Vitamins as well within reason. Lots of rest even when sleep is impossible. Slug it out one day at a time.
And yes, placing your life in the hands of the Lord means that you get strength for all of this from its true source. I do not say that as a very flawed Christian (which I am) but as a guy who has seen it work where nearly nothing else does. Your life always was in His hands but that doesn't you aren't free to kill yourself with human stupidity. Now it's payback time, and payback's a b*tch. It doesn't last forever.
One other thing - lose the antidepressants as soon as feasible. Those damn things will kill you. IMHO, of course.
I know he is under close medical supervision so he should be able to get things adjusted correctly at the chemical level. Vitamins and exercise are also good advice.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with our FRiend.
Good post, Bill. Thanks.
Tons of good advice here for everyone with or without addictions.