Assessment and Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is the most common and well-known condition occurring after intentional or unintentional cessation or decreasing heavy drinking. Approximately 5-10% of these people are suffering from serious medical and psychiatric problems, withdrawal seizures, perceptual disturb...

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Main Authors: Ha Yeong Choi, Jeong Seock Seo, Sang Kyu Lee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Jin Publishing & Printing Co. 2020-08-01
Series:The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.kjg.or.kr/journal/view.html?uid=5606&vmd=Full
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author Ha Yeong Choi
Jeong Seock Seo
Sang Kyu Lee
author_facet Ha Yeong Choi
Jeong Seock Seo
Sang Kyu Lee
author_sort Ha Yeong Choi
collection DOAJ
description Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is the most common and well-known condition occurring after intentional or unintentional cessation or decreasing heavy drinking. Approximately 5-10% of these people are suffering from serious medical and psychiatric problems, withdrawal seizures, perceptual disturbances, and delirium tremens. Despite acute medical conditions with the high mortality of severe AWS, proper management could decrease the severity and mortality of AWS. The Clinical Institute withdrawal assessment for alcohol-revised version is a valid, reliable, and sensitive instrument for assessing the clinical course and the treatment monitoring of alcohol withdrawal. Benzodiazepine is the pharmacotherapy of choice for alcohol withdrawal. Diazepam or lorazepam treatment is best initiated early in the course of alcohol withdrawal to prevent progression to more severe withdrawal. There are three strategies for the pharmacotherapy of AWS. After the treatment of AWS, most patients should be managed or treated by the continuing care, including the psychosocial treatments, community-based management, and programs for preventing recurrence of AWS.
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spelling doaj.art-ab45961d11b34d68967e95a7932b5ee62022-12-22T02:53:58ZengJin Publishing & Printing Co.The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology1598-99922233-68692020-08-01762717710.4166/kjg.2020.76.2.71Assessment and Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal SyndromeHa Yeong Choi0Jeong Seock Seo1Sang Kyu Lee2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6714-850XDepartment of Psychology Graduate School, Kangwon National University1, Chuncheon; Chuncheon Community Addiction Management Center2, Chuncheon, KoreaDepartment of Psychiatry, Konkuk University Chungju Hospital, Chungju, KoreaDepartment of Psychiatry, Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon, KoreaAlcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is the most common and well-known condition occurring after intentional or unintentional cessation or decreasing heavy drinking. Approximately 5-10% of these people are suffering from serious medical and psychiatric problems, withdrawal seizures, perceptual disturbances, and delirium tremens. Despite acute medical conditions with the high mortality of severe AWS, proper management could decrease the severity and mortality of AWS. The Clinical Institute withdrawal assessment for alcohol-revised version is a valid, reliable, and sensitive instrument for assessing the clinical course and the treatment monitoring of alcohol withdrawal. Benzodiazepine is the pharmacotherapy of choice for alcohol withdrawal. Diazepam or lorazepam treatment is best initiated early in the course of alcohol withdrawal to prevent progression to more severe withdrawal. There are three strategies for the pharmacotherapy of AWS. After the treatment of AWS, most patients should be managed or treated by the continuing care, including the psychosocial treatments, community-based management, and programs for preventing recurrence of AWS.http://www.kjg.or.kr/journal/view.html?uid=5606&vmd=Fullalcohol withdrawal syndromebenzodiazepinescontinuing care
spellingShingle Ha Yeong Choi
Jeong Seock Seo
Sang Kyu Lee
Assessment and Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology
alcohol withdrawal syndrome
benzodiazepines
continuing care
title Assessment and Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
title_full Assessment and Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
title_fullStr Assessment and Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
title_full_unstemmed Assessment and Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
title_short Assessment and Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
title_sort assessment and treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome
topic alcohol withdrawal syndrome
benzodiazepines
continuing care
url http://www.kjg.or.kr/journal/view.html?uid=5606&vmd=Full
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