Alcohol Withdrawal
mortality rate with DTs
1-5%
alcoholic hallucinations occur how long after cessation of alcohol use
12-24 hours
How many people are alcoholics?
14 million (1 in 13)
what percentage of adults surveyed binge drink?
15% of adults
if DTs do occur when do they occur and how long may they last
2-5 days and may last another 2-3 days
peak of withdrawal happens when
24-48 hours
withdrawal seizures- how long after cessation of alcohol use and what kind of seizures?
24-48 hours and generalized tonic clonic
alcohol delirium tremens occurs how long after alcohol cessation?
48-72 hours
what is the definition of binge drinking
5 or more drinks for men in a sitting
what percentage report heavy drinking?
5%
minor withdrawal symptoms occur how long after cessation of alcohol
6-12 hours
CIWA
Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol Scale
Alcohol depresses what
GABA, neurotransmitters in the brain
CIWA measurements
N/V Tremor Sweats Anxiety Agitiaton
withdrawal syndrome begins how long after stoping ETOH or drug
a few hours
Sedation drugs for alcohol withdrawal
benzos
abstinence meds
disulfiram naltrexone acamprosate methadone
antidepressants for alcohol withdrawal
fluoxetine (prozac) sertaline (zoloft)
with alcohol people can build up tolerance to what
general anesthetics, barbituates, benzos, other cns depressants
delirium tremens
hallucinations, disorientation, tachycardia, HTN, low grade fever, agitation, diaphoresis
CIWA 8 points or less
mild withdrawal
CIWA 9-15 points
moderate 8 or higher indicates treatment
chronic consumption of alcohol causes what to the brain
over excitement of brain that is normally inhibited
Anticonvulsants for substance abuse
phenobarbital magnesium sulfate
15 or more points
severe (DTs/seizures)
Vitamins for substance abuse
thiamine, folic acid, multivitamins
