ABSTRACT
A survey of patients admitted to a private hospital for detoxification from alcohol found similar levels of physical morbidity and withdrawal complications to a group admitted to a National Health Service alcohol treatment unit. Although private patients tended to be older than National Health Service patients, the two groups were similar on a number of other variables. The implications for those involved in the management of patients who abuse alcohol are discussed.
Subject(s)
Alcohol Drinking/adverse effects , Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium/etiology , Alcoholism/rehabilitation , Hypertension/etiology , Liver Diseases, Alcoholic/etiology , Patient Admission , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/etiology , Adult , Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium/rehabilitation , Alcoholism/complications , England , Female , Gastritis/etiology , Gastritis/rehabilitation , Hospitals, Private , Hospitals, Public , Humans , Hypertension/rehabilitation , Liver Diseases, Alcoholic/rehabilitation , Liver Function Tests , Male , Middle Aged , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/rehabilitation , State Medicine , Substance Abuse Treatment Centers , Treatment OutcomeSubject(s)
Acetaminophen , Codeine , Substance-Related Disorders , Adult , Drug Combinations , Female , Humans , Nonprescription DrugsABSTRACT
A considerable level of physical morbidity (71.1% of cases) was found in 76 consecutive admissions to an alcoholism treatment unit. Sixteen patients (21.1%) developed complications during detoxification despite drug treatment. Complications were associated with a reported daily alcohol intake of greater than 35 units. The early detection and management of the physical complications of alcohol misuse remain important functions of alcoholism treatment units.
