The differential effects of medication on mood, sleep disturbance, and work ability in outpatient alcohol detoxification.
A double-blind, randomized controlled trial of patients (n = 136) meeting DSM-IV criteria for alcohol withdrawal and stratified based on detoxification history were treated with carbamazepine or lorazepam for 5 days on a fixed dose tapering schedule. Mood symptoms improved for all subjects regardless of medication or detoxification history. There was a significant main effect favoring carbamazepine in reducing anxiety (p = 0.0007). Anxiety was highest in those individuals who had multiple previous detoxifications (p = 0.02). Visual analog measures of sleep quality indicated a statistically significant main effect of medication on sleep that again favored carbamazepine (p = 0.0186). Visual analog rating of perceived ability to return to work was decreased in individuals who had multiple previous detoxifications (p = 0.025). In this study of outpatients with mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal, carbamazepine was superior to lorazepam in reducing anxiety and improving sleep.
Malcolm
Robert
R
Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA.
Myrick
Hugh
H
Roberts
James
J
Wang
Wei
W
Anton
Raymond F
RF
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010045:Outpatients; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012008:Recurrence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002220:Carbamazepine; D008140:Lorazepam