The Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment Manual, written by Paolo Depetrillo M.D. and Mark McDonough M.Ed., outlines a clinically proven method for alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) treatment. Like most people, we have our theories, but the manual is a practical book for clinicians, based on clinical experience.
You can purchase the Manual at Amazon.com. Or if you already own the manual, write a review! We love the one person who wrote a review years ago, but it would be great to get more feedback.
Our approach to AWS treatment focuses on using specific agents for specific symptoms rather than the older approach of using one agent (typically benzodiazepines) for all withdrawal symptoms.
Focusing on the symptoms that are present and treating them with specific agents greatly simplifies diagnosis and treatment. It also reduces complications, morbidity and mortality, and helps control costs.
You can find additional information on our "More About Our System" page.
To illustrate the advantages of our approach, consider one important AWS symptom: hypertension. Hypertension may be the most serious of AWS symptoms, since it can lead to serious complications such as stroke.
Benzodiazepines begin to lower blood pressure only at dosage levels which pose a serious risk of over-sedation and respiratory compromise (especially in AWS patients, who are often suffering from a variety of comorbities). High doses of benzodiazepines are also likely to intensify the mental confusion and disinhibition common in AWS patients, increasing the risks of self-harm and assaultive behavior.
Fortunately, there is a wide range of highly specific and effective anti-hypertensive agents available to to the clinician. If hypertension is present in the context of AWS, we recommend selecting such an agent rather than relying on benzodiazepenes.
To guide treatment, assess results, and aid with pharmacotherapy, we have created a simple, clinically validated diagnostic scale, The AWS Type Indicator. You are welcome to download the Type Indicator for free.
A study recently published in "Pharmacotherapy" and authored by Karen Stanley, Cathy Amabile et al. finds that the approach outlined in The Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment Manual is safe and effective in an acutely ill patient population. If you are in a situation where you are under intense pressure to improve measured outcomes or hold expenses down, our treatment system is definitely worth a look.
The authors thank all the nurses, clinical nurse specialists, counselors, physician assistants, and other clinical staff who are changing alcohol withdrawal treatment practices in their hospitals, clinics and offices.
You are welcome to contact us with any comments or questions either about the manual or our treatment system.
We are proud of our recent partnership with the team members of the International Society of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses (ISPN) Task Force resulting in the publication of a landmark guideline, Assessment and Identification Management of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS) in the Acute Care Setting. We urge you to consider ISPN membership to take advantage of their excellent educational resources.
And since they've been kind enough to link to us, a tip of the hat to The American Psychiatric Nurses Association. Do nurses run the world, or what?
Medical Disclaimer
All material on this website is for informational purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained herein with other sources. Patients and consumers should review the information carefully with their professional health care provider. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by physicians. The authors will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising therefrom.
