Study: Use symptoms for benzo dosing in alcohol withdrawal

Abstract

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are traditionally treated by benzodiazepines, often using a fixed‐dose protocol. A new study has found that using a symptoms‐triggered approach resulted in a lower rate of readmissions within 90 days and a reduced total dose of benzodiazepines. The study found that using a symptoms‐triggered approach does result in a longer length of hospital stay, but that this pays off for the patient and the payer in the long run. Using a symptoms‐triggered approach results in a reduced relapse to alcohol dependence, the study found.