Severe form of alcohol withdrawal, which presents with sudden and severe changes in the operating of the nervous or mental system. It has also been reported in cases of withdrawal from sedatives, such as benzodiazepines or barbiturates.
The symptoms are the most common ones to any form of withdrawal (anxiety, tremor, insomnia, sweating, palpitations, etc.) together with the symptoms of the acute phase of delirium tremens (marked tremor, mental state changes, deep sleep and delirium with hallucinations).
Diagnosis is reached through the clinical history and a full physical examination.
It is needed to be hospitalised to provide the appropriate treatment, which is geared towards controlling and monitoring the vital signs, treatment of symptoms and prevention of complications.
- Robert S Hoffman, Gerald L Weinhouse. Management of moderate and severe alcohol withdrawal syndromes. UpToDate. Nov 12, 2015.
- Cassidy EM, O'Sullivan I, Bradshaw P, et al. Symptom-triggered benzodiazepine therapy for alcohol withdrawal syndrome in the emergency department: a comparison with the standard fixed dose benzodiazepine regimen. Emerg Med J 2012; 29:802.
- Hecksel KA, Bostwick JM, Jaeger TM, Cha SS. Inappropriate use of symptom-triggered therapy for alcohol withdrawal in the general hospital. Mayo Clin Proc 2008; 83:274.
- DeBellis R, Smith BS, Choi S, Malloy M. Management of delirium tremens. J Intensive Care Med 2005; 20:164.
- Juan Francisco Rodríguez López, Cristina García Blázquez Pérez. Trastornos relacionados con el consumo de alcohol. Manual de diagnóstico y terapéutica médica Hospital Universitario 12 de octubre. 6ª edición. 2007. 1076: 1085.
- Schuckit MA. Alcohol y alcoholismo. Harrison. Manual de Medicina. 16º edición. 1033-1035.
