AWS Flashcards
What are the mild symptoms of AWS?
A mild AWS includes tremor, weakness, headache, sweating, hyperreflexia and GI symptoms.
Timeline of AWS symptoms
Tachycardia may be present, and BP may be slightly elevated.
Symptoms usually begin about 6h of cessation.
Alcoholic hallucinosis follows abrupt cessation from prolonged excessive alcohol use, usually within 12-24 hours. Hallucinations are usually visual.
Delirium tremens usually begins 48-72 hours after alcohol withdrawal.
Why should folic acid be supplemented during alcohol withdrawal?
• Folic acid- alcohol affects the body’s ability to absorb folate and also increases folate in the urine. Many alcohol abusers have poor quality diets that do not provide the suggested intake of folate. Increasing folate intake through diet, or folic acid intake through fortified foods or supplements, may benefit the health of alcoholics especially during withdrawal.
Why should thiamine be supplemented during alcohol withdrawal?
Thiamine helps decrease the risk and symptoms of a specific brain disorder called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS). This brain disorder is related to low levels of thiamine (thiamine deficiency) and is often seen in alcoholics. Between 30% and 80% of alcoholics are believed to have thiamine deficiency. Giving thiamine shots/tablets seems to help decrease the risk of developing WKS and decrease symptoms of WKS during alcohol withdrawal.
Who helps patients with detoxification?
6) Detoxification is now undertaken by a specialist community alcohol service, and not by the GP. The specialists may use a reducing regimen of a benzodiazepine, in order to help with detoxification. A common medication used is chlordiazepoxide. This is usually as an in-patient or under very close supervision at home.
What is the problem with home detoxification?
The main risk is alcohol withdrawal. This includes tremors, anxiety and poor sleep. Stress levels are high and will be monitored by the community alcohol team professional managing the detoxification.
What are the causes of alcohol addiction?
1) There is no one single cause of alcohol addiction. Instead, there are multiple causes that can be grouped into four basic categories.
2) These four categories are: • biological causes • psychological causes, • socio-cultural causes, and • spiritual causes. Psychologists call this the Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual Model of addiction.
Biological causes of alcohol addiction
The biological causes of alcohol addiction include each person’s unique physiology and genetics.
Psychological cause of alcohol addiction
Psychologically, people learn to anticipate some benefit from drinking alcohol even though it is harmful. These benefits can include:
• stress reduction,
• relief from boredom,
• pleasurable sensations,
• coping with negative feelings or situations, or
• simply the benefit of avoiding withdrawal symptoms.
Social-cultural causes of alcohol addiction
Socio-cultural influences also contribute to the development of alcohol addiction as it affords opportunities for pleasing social discourse and interaction.
