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7.1 Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS) AWS is a set of physical and psychological symptoms that occur following a reduction in alcohol intake after a period of excessive use.
Alcohol withdrawal may be the presenting feature or may occur as an unexplained development in a patient who has been admitted for other reasons. The symptoms
Onset of symptoms is usually 24-72hours after alcohol cessation of reduced intake, symptoms include: Severe tremor, delusions, tachycardia, pyrexia, visual and auditory hallucinations, confusion and disorientation, clouding of consciousness. If agitation is severe, please refer to appendix E for treatment algorithm.
The NHS estimates that 9% of men and 4% of women show signs of alcohol dependence. For every £1 invested in specialist alcohol treatment, £5 is saved on health, welfare and crime.
5.1 Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a range of symptoms that occur when someone who is alcohol dependent abruptly stops drinking or considerably reduce their alcohol intake. These include simple symptoms like tremors through to life threatening conditions such as
In approximately 5% of patients withdrawal symptoms may progress to DTs, a condition characterised by delirium, auditory/visual hallucinations, coarse tremor, disorientation and reduced consciousness. DTs can be fatal and are considered a medical emergency. DTs often peak later, around 96 hours.
severity of withdrawal signs and symptoms. 5.4.5 It is important that patients who are identified as alcohol dependent are assessed for alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
