title: Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: assessment and treatment with the use of the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol-revised.
abstract: Alcoholism is a chronic, complex disease and addictive disorder. Sudden cessation of alcohol consumption can lead to alcohol withdrawal, an acute process with devastating and potentially life-threatening consequences. Assessment of alcohol withdrawal is key to a successful outcome. Appropriate assessment of withdrawal symptoms begins with the use of the revised Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol, which evaluates the presence and severity of withdrawal symptoms. The higher the patient's score, the greater the risk for experiencing serious withdrawal symptoms. Pharmacotherapy may be gauged to treat the symptoms according the score.
authors.affiliation: The Western Pennsylvania Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA. cpuz@wpahs.org
authors.forename: Carol A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Puz
authors.forename: Sandra J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Stokes
mesh_terms: D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000430:Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020270:Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives