Alcohol Withdrawal (Uncomplicated)

F10.3

• Description
• General measures
• Medicine treatment
• Referral

DESCRIPTION

A syndrome characterised by central nervous system hyperactivity that occurs when an alcohol dependent individual abruptly stops or significantly reduces alcohol consumption.

The symptoms of an uncomplicated Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome include:

• Autonomic (sweating, tachycardia, hypertension, tremors, tonic-clonic seizures and low grade fever).
• Gastrointestinal (anorexia, nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia and diarrhoea).
• Cognitive and perceptual disturbances (poor concentration, anxiety, psychomotor agitation, disturbed sleep with vivid dreams, visual hallucinations and disorientation).

Typical delirium occurs 2–3 days following cessation of prolonged alcohol intake, but some withdrawal symptoms such as the typical tremor, may start within 12 hours.

GENERAL MEASURES

Assess for comorbid infections.

MEDICINE TREATMENT

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

LoEIII [26]

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.

LoEIII [27]

REFERRAL

See referral criteria of Substance use disorders.