Alcohol Dependence

Question 1

What drugs are used for alcohol withdrawal?

Answer 1

• Diazepam / Chlorodiazepam
• Oxazepam (if liver damage present)
• Chlordiazepoxide

Question 2

What supportive treatment is provided for alcohol abuse patients? Why?

Answer 2

• Oral Thiamine
• IM/IV Pabrinex (C, B1, B2, B3, B6)

-B vitamin body stores are scarce

Question 3

Why is it essential to provide Thiamine to alcohol abuse patients?

Answer 3

Their B vitamines are likely to be depleted.
Thiamine is a coenzyme involved in the Krebs cycle.
Metabolism in the absence of Thiamine is anaerobic, producing lactic acid. Brain damage can follow.

Question 4

What is Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome? What’s the treatment?

Answer 4

Thiamine deficiency syndrome

Pabrinex

Question 5

What pharmacological treatment is used in relapse prevention?

Answer 5

Disulfiram - aggravates immediate hangover

Acamprosate - neuroprotective

Question 6

What is delirium tremens?

Answer 6

Rapid onset of confusion following withdrawal of alcohol

Question 7

What is Alcoholic Hallucinosis?

Answer 7

Acoustic hallucinations, delusions and mood disturbances occuring during or shortly after major bouts of drinking.
-tend to be reversible