A small proportion of alcohol-dependent men and women experience delirium tremens (DTs) and/or convulsions during alcohol withdrawal. While some characteristics of individuals most likely to show these severe sequelae of the abstinence syndrome have been described, it is not clear whether these risk factors operate independently in their association with severe withdrawal. The Semi-Structured A...

Alcohol exposure induces multiple neuroadaptive changes in the CNS that can have serious long-term consequences on CNS function including cognitive effects and attenuation of learning and memory. The cellular mechanisms underlying the CNS effects of alcohol have yet to be fully elucidated and are likely to depend on the pattern and dose of alcohol exposure. Using electrophysiological recordings...

AIMS A single case study of alcohol withdrawal through monitored alcohol consumption in a hostel resident. METHOD A standard dose of cider was given when the client requested, and had a lower breath alcohol concentration than when he took his previous dose of cider. RESULTS Abstinence was uneventfully achieved on two separate occasions each taking only 2 days. CONCLUSIONS Withdrawal from ...

Studies of spontaneous and kindled electrophysiological brain activity following AW emphasize the important contribution of several variables to the severity of AW and to the associated long-lasting changes in brain function. Thus, withdrawal severity depends on the pattern of alcohol intake (e.g., withdrawal history) as well as on the total amount of alcohol exposure. Moreover, different brain...

A 37 year old Caucasian male with known alcohol dependence, was anaesthetised for the repair of a paraumbilical hernia on a day stay basis. On discharge he was instructed not to drink alcohol for 24 h. The patient developed acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms within 48 h. Alcohol abuse is a common problem. Patients with this problem occasionally present to the day surgery unit for short surgical ...

Many studies have suggested possible relationships between the neurotrophins brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) and alcohol addiction. Previous reports demonstrated severe changes in these neurotrophins in the serum of alcohol dependent patients and during withdrawal. Alcohol dependence syndromes during consumption and/or withdrawal are also characterized by ...

Abrupt cessation of regular use of alcohol in a dependent person causes a withdrawal syndrome that may range from mild to extremely severe. Most patients require pharmacologic intervention, especially those with severe symptoms. Historically, the pharmacotherapy of alcohol withdrawal has involved a wide variety of agents. Benzodiazepines are currently preferred due to their consistently high de...

BACKGROUND Acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AAWS) is encountered in patients presenting acutely to the Emergency Department (ED) and often requires pharmacologic management. OBJECTIVE We investigated whether a single dose of intravenous (i.v.) phenobarbital combined with a standardized lorazepam-based alcohol withdrawal protocol decreases intensive care unit (ICU) admission in ED patients w...