Update on the Management of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

📅Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a significant issue in Canada, with high rates of heavy drinking and related healthcare costs.

📝The Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA-AR) score is the most commonly used score for predicting the severity of alcohol withdrawal.

💡The Prediction of Alcohol Withdrawal Severity (PAWS) score shows promise in predicting severe alcohol withdrawal.

💊Phenobarbital is an effective treatment option for acute alcohol withdrawal, and its use has been increasing in recent years.

🏥Continuum of care beyond the acute setting is important in managing patients with alcohol use disorder and alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

What is the incidence and prevalence of alcohol use disorder and alcohol withdrawal in Canada?

—In Canada, more than 20% of people age 12 and above report heavy drinking, leading to significant healthcare costs.

What is the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA-AR) score?

—The CIWA-AR score is a widely used tool for predicting the severity of alcohol withdrawal based on subjective and objective measures.

What is the Prediction of Alcohol Withdrawal Severity (PAWS) score?

—The PAWS score is a composite measure that shows promise in predicting severe alcohol withdrawal based on objective measures and patient history.

What is the role of phenobarbital in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal?

—Phenobarbital is an effective treatment option for managing acute alcohol withdrawal, and its use has been increasing in recent years.

What are the key considerations in managing patients with alcohol use disorder and alcohol withdrawal?

—Continuum of care beyond the acute setting, including counseling, support groups, and pharmacotherapy, is essential in managing patients with alcohol use disorder and alcohol withdrawal.

00:13Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a significant issue in Canada, with high rates of heavy drinking and related healthcare costs.

05:28The Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA-AR) score is the most commonly used score for predicting the severity of alcohol withdrawal.

09:59The Prediction of Alcohol Withdrawal Severity (PAWS) score shows promise in predicting severe alcohol withdrawal.

11:23Phenobarbital is an effective treatment option for acute alcohol withdrawal, and its use has been increasing in recent years.

12:06Continuum of care beyond the acute setting is important in managing patients with alcohol use disorder and alcohol withdrawal syndrome.