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Alcohol and Benzodiazepines: Withdrawal Syndromes
Author(s) -
Benzer David,
Cushman Paul
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1111/j.1530-0277.1980.tb04808.x
Subject(s) - discontinuation , withdrawal syndrome , addiction , alcohol withdrawal syndrome , benzodiazepine , detoxification (alternative medicine) , sedative , psychomotor agitation , psychomotor learning , medicine , alcohol , drug withdrawal , anesthesia , psychiatry , psychology , drug , biochemistry , chemistry , receptor , alternative medicine , cognition , pathology
A mixed alcohol‐benzodiazepine (BD) addiction was recognized in 25 alcoholics who were admitted for detoxification. They experienced a withdrawal syndrome, atypical for alcoholics, starting 2–10 days after abrupt discontinuation of drugs and characterized by more psychomotor and less autonomic nervous system signs than is usual in alcohol withdrawal. The timing and nature of the specific symptoms in the mixed sedative addiction resembled BD withdrawal. Treatment with tapering oral barbiturates after sedative tolerance tests was effective. Awareness of the mixed alcohol‐BD addiction should result in improved recognition and treatment.