Treatment of alcohol withdrawal
EBM Guidelines
Jun 15, 2020 • Latest change Nov 17, 2021
Table of contents
Extract
- The patient is helped to adjust physically to function, gradually, without alcohol, and seizures, cardiac arrhytmia or delirium tremens associated with withdrawal are avoided.
- A calm, non-judgemental environment is provided to motivate the patient to continue to deal with the problem of alcohol abuse.
- Irreversible brain damage associated with thiamine deficiency (Wernicke encephalopathy Neurological disorders and alcohol1) is prevented.
- Alcohol withdrawal is always the basis for rehabiliation and further care. Mere withdrawal without rehabilitation rarely leads to successfull recovery from an alcohol problem.
Linked evidence summaries
- Thiamine appears to be effective for prevention of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome due to alcohol abuse, however there is insufficient evidence about the dose, frequency, or duration of thiamine treatment for prophylaxis against or treatment of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.B
- Benzodiazepines are effective against alcohol withdrawal symptoms when compared to placebo.A
- Low serum magnesium in patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) may be associated with more severe AWS and mortality at 1-year follow-up .C
Search terms
Alcohol, Alcohol-related diseases, Alcoholism, CIWA-Ar, Chlordiazepoxide, Diazepam, F10.2, F10.3*, Haloperidol, Internal medicine, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders, Substance Withdrawal Syndrome, Substance-Related Disorders, Temazepam, Thiamine, alcohol withdrawal, alcohol withdrawal syndrome, diazepam loading