Eli5: What happens to alcohol dependent people, that need to stay in the hospital for a different reason like an infection or surgery, how do they prevent withdrawal symptoms?
In: Biology
Close observation of the patient to monitor for physiological signs of alcohol withdrawal, as they can have severe/life-threatening implications. The CIWA tool (clinical institute withdrawal assessment for alcohol) is commonly used for this, and example of which can be found [here](https://www.ewin.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/Appendix%206%20-%20CIWA%20-Ar%20Form%203250.pdf)
For those with moderate to severe withdrawal we will use drugs to help the physical come-down from the alcohol. The most common is called *chlordiazepoxide*, which can be given both as a *stat* dose (i.e. a there-and-then administration to help immediate effects of acute withdrawal) and as part of a *fixed-dose reducing regime* (a standard dosing regime that starts on at a level dependant on what the person’s alcohol dependence is, and then slowly reduces over a week or two to nothing).
It is important to note that addition and withdrawal – especially for alcohol, among others – is not just a physiological dependence. There is also the psychological and social aspects, which are not as simple to manage. For most larger UK/NHS hospitals there will be specialist staff who can help consult and advice on how to help safely manage withdrawal but even then it is not one-size-fits-all and not always successful.
For further reading on, consider guidance as follows: [https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summaries/alcohol-dependence/](https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summaries/alcohol-dependence/) (see also at the end links to further guidance documents on alcohol misuse)
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