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Assessment Method and Medication Requirement in Chlormethiazole Detoxification from Alcohol
Author(s) -
Stanhope John M.,
McCaskie Carol S.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
australian drug and alcohol review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.018
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1465-3362
pISSN - 0819-5331
DOI - 10.1080/09595238680000581
Subject(s) - detoxification (alternative medicine) , alcohol withdrawal syndrome , rating scale , medicine , psychology , psychiatry , anesthesia , alcohol , developmental psychology , alternative medicine , biochemistry , chemistry , pathology
Abstract: Two policies governing treatment of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome by administration of chlormethiazole were compared. One regime (“the old”) used subjective assessment of symptoms by nurses, the other (“the new”) used a more objective rating scale. Under the new regime chlormethiazole and carbamazepine use was less, but use of antinauseants and other sedatives was more, compared with the old regime. There was no difference in occurrence of side‐effects or proportion of patients completing detoxification. The new regime offered a small cost advantage (78 cents per patient), but indirect advantages were believed to exist in patient orientation and reassurance, earlier awareness of underlying psychiatric disorder and improved staff communication.