Alcohol

F10.3-4

• General Measures
• Medicine Treatment

GENERAL MEASURES

The following patients should be admitted for detoxification:

• past history of convulsions
• past history of psychosis
• suicidal ideation
• significant medical co-morbidity such as heart failure and liver disease
• inadequate support at home
• history of withdrawal delirium
• > 60 years of age
• pregnancy
• cognitive impairment
• previous failed community detoxification attempts

MEDICINE TREATMENT

Alcohol detoxification may be managed on an outpatient basis in most patients.

• Thiamine, oral, 300 mg daily for 14 days.

LoEIII [57]

AND

• Diazepam, oral, 10 mg immediately.
  • Then 5 mg 6 hourly for 3 days.
  • Then 5 mg 12 hourly for 2 days.
  • Then 5 mg daily for 2 days.
  • Then stop.
  • Higher doses may be needed in individual patients.