STUDY OBJECTIVES Insomnia is a central symptom of alcohol withdrawal and increases relapse potential. The primary objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of gabapentin to lorazepam in alleviating sleep disturbances and daytime sleepiness during an episode of alcohol withdrawal. The secondary objective of this study was to determine if drug treatment efficacy differed by the patient ...

AIMS This study aimed to evaluate the patterns of platelet counts during the course of alcohol withdrawal and its relationship if any with liver enzymes. METHODOLOGY Forty consecutive patients, with alcohol dependence according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-fourth edition, Text Revision criteria, willing for a 10-day inpatient detoxification program and presenti...

Endogenous opioid peptides are thought to participate in the phenomena of alcohol tolerance and withdrawal. Since in the pituitary gland, beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) are produced from the same precursor molecule, pro-opiomelanocortin, it may be expected that alterations in plasma ACTH and cortisol levels should parallel changes in plasma beta-EP levels during...

The objective of this paper is to review and describe the main neuropharmacological changes caused by the chronic use of alcohol and those observed during its withdrawal period. The results show international data referring to the involvement of monoamine systems, neurotransmitters and calcium channels in both neuroadaptation and tolerance to alcohol effects and withdrawal. Relevant studies sho...

In many alcoholics, the severity of withdrawal symptoms increases after repeated withdrawal episodes. This exacerbation may be attributable to a kindling process. Kindling is a phenomenon in which a weak electrical or chemical stimulus, which initially causes no overt behavioral responses, results in the appearance of behavioral effects, such as seizures, when it is administered repeatedly. Bot...

Delirium Tremens (DT), which contains severe mental and nervous system changes, is a clinical manifestation associated with withdrawal from alcohol. Occurrence of symptoms after stopping of alcohol is diagnostic criteria for DT. It occurs acutely. DT follows sudden alcohol withdrawal after prolonged intake of it. It is possible to be precipitated by external factors like infections, injury etc....

AIMS The present study examined the association between pre-treatment drinking and smoking parameters and plasma testosterone levels before and after alcohol withdrawal. METHODS A total of 51 alcohol-dependent men and 43 age-matched healthy men were investigated. In alcoholics, free testosterone in plasma was measured on the day of admission, after detoxification and after 6 weeks of sobriety...

Three probable cases of neuropathy in alcoholics are described. They are very atypical for three reasons. First, each developed an acute asymmetrical neuropathy for the first time well after ceasing to drink, and after routine saturation with the vitamin B group. Secondly, none had previously suffered from neuropathy while still drinking. If this puzzling reversal of the usual order of clinical...

Disease processes or events that accompany acute alcohol withdrawal (AW) can cause significant illness and death. Some patients experience seizures, which may increase in severity with subsequent AW episodes. Another potential AW complication is delirium tremens, characterized by hallucinations, mental confusion, and disorientation. Cognitive impairment and delirium may lead to a chronic memory...

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a significant problem that can complicate underlying disease states and lead to serious clinical consequences. The recognition of the early signs and symptoms of this syndrome, as well as the identification of those at highest risk for developing it, is crucial for effective prevention and management. Multiple pharmacotherapy options exist, and therapy should be g...