Approximately one-half of patients with alcohol dependence will develop clinically relevant symptoms of withdrawal. 1 According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), alcohol use disorders are medical conditions that occur in patients experiencing distress or harm related to their consumption of alcoholic beverages.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) combines alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence into the newly termed alcohol use disorder (AUD). Although a variety of drugs have some utility in treating this disorder, the benzodiazepines remain the agents of choice.
Pharmacotherapy is often necessary for treating patients with AWS to manage the symptoms of withdrawal, prevent the progression to serious complications, and bridge these patients to treatment for maintaining long-term recovery. Depending upon the severity of withdrawal symptoms, patients may be treated in the inpatient or outpatient setting.
Mild symptoms can occur within hours after the last drink and, if left untreated, may progress to more severe, life-threatening symptoms. ABSTRACT: Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) can occur when an individual stops or even significantly reduces alcoholic consumption after a prolonged period of use.
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