Abstract
Introduction: Despite the fact, that symptom-triggered alcohol withdrawal treatment is recommended
by German guidelines on alcoholism, many hospitals continue to use fixed-schedule
protocols, as they have been successfully applied for many years.
Methods: This retrospective study compared all patients’ records of alcohol withdrawal treatment
from October 2010 to November 2011 at Magdeburg’s University Department of Psychiatry
(n=120). A symptom-triggered protocol with clomethiazole (AESB, n=46) was used in
parallel with the existing fixed-schedule protocol with diazepam (n=74).
Results: The symptom-triggered group showed less need of pharmacological treatment duration
(p<0.001) and cumulative dosage of medication compared to the fixed-schedule protocol
(p<0.006). No difference was observed regarding the need of clonidine or haloperidol
(to treat blood pressure derailment or delirium) and the incidence of epileptic seizures.
Discussion: Based on the shorter treatment duration and a similar rate of complications our department
has switched to the symptom-triggered protocol to improve the quality of patient care.
Key words
alcohol withdrawal - detoxification - substance dependence disorders
