Emergency: requires immediate attention
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis

Severe withdrawal may cause seizures and electrolyte disturbances. Delirium tremens (DT) is another severe manifestation of alcohol withdrawal and may occur 3-10 days after cessation. DT manifests as confusion, hallucination, and autonomic dysfunction.
Severe alcohol withdrawal is a life-threatening condition. Alcohol withdrawal is treated with benzodiazepines, which enhance GABA activity. Thiamine supplementation is also provided to prevent the development of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. The Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA) is an often-used tool to assess the extent of withdrawal and direct therapy.
Codes
ICD10CM:F10.239 – Alcohol dependence with withdrawal, unspecified
SNOMEDCT:
191480000 – Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
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Last Reviewed:01/02/2019
Last Updated:01/02/2019
Last Updated:01/02/2019