The implication is that repeated untreated withdrawals from alcohol have a cumulative effect and create more serious future withdrawals. Only a minority of chronic alcoholics develop a seizure disorder, so an inherited vulnerability may be involved. Physicians traditionally have used benzodiazepines by administering decreasing doses over the period of alcohol withdrawal. However, Sellers et al. At the start of treatment, doses of diazepam are given every 1 to 2 hours until withdrawal symptoms abate.
Most clinicians use medications to diminish the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
However, Whitfield et al. The treatment consisted of screening and providing extensive social support during withdrawal. The authors concluded that nondrug detoxification offers a reduced need for medical staff, a shortened detoxification period, and no sedative interference with a patient's alertness for participating in an alcohol treatment program. Foy et al. Such scales also may be helpful when monitoring the adequacy of a loading dose of medication.