Concurrent cocaine withdrawal alters alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
This study compares alcohol withdrawal severity during outpatient detoxification in alcohol dependent subjects (ALC) and in subjects dependent on both alcohol and cocaine (ALC/COC). Subjects included 123 ALC and 66 ALC/COC subjects. Baseline demographic and drug use variables, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and the total amount of oxazepam taken during alcohol detoxification were compared between the two groups. Compared to ALC subjects, ALC/COC subjects were younger, more likely to be African-American, and had less severe histories of alcohol dependence. However, alcohol withdrawal symptom severity did not differ significantly between the two groups. Nevertheless, controlling for differences in alcohol use history, ALC/COC subjects still received less oxazepam than did ALC subjects to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Despite similar intensity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, ALC/COC subjects received less oxazepam to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms compared to ALC subjects. Both subject and clinician factors may explain the difference in oxazepam use.
Kampman
Kyle M
KM
Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, USA. kampman_k@mail.trc.upenn.edu
Pettinati
Helen
H
Volpicelli
Joseph
J
Kaempf
Gail
G
Turk
Ellen
E
Insua
Ambrose
A
Lipkin
Craig
C
Sparkman
Thorne
T
O'Brien
Charles P
CP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003042:Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010076:Oxazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000431:Ethanol; D010076:Oxazepam; D003042:Cocaine