Alcohol Dependence in Palliative Care: A Review of the Current Literature.

Abstract

Alcohol misuse affects up to 28% of palliative care inpatients. This article aims to summarize the existing literature on the care of palliative patients with alcohol dependence. The author searched CINAHL, Scopus, MEDLINE, and PubMed from inception until July 2017 using search terms including "alcohol*," "dependence," and "palliative." The results were reported in a narrative manner. Identification of alcohol-dependent patients can be improved through the use of validated tools such as "Cut Down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye Opener" (CAGE) and "Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test" (AUDIT). These patients may have specific palliative care needs such as increased susceptibility to terminal agitation, high prevalence of comorbidities, and poor social support networks. Management may involve detoxification, controlled usage of alcohol, or treatment of alcohol withdrawal. Patients may derive clinical benefit when alcohol dependence is identified by health-care professionals. Routine screening should be considered. Further research is needed to directly compare treatments for alcohol dependence in palliative care.