Appropriate screening tools for detecting people with alcohol dependence that may need detoxification are Fast Alcohol Screening Test (FAST) in A&E settings and Cut down Annoyed Guilty Eye-opener (CAGE) plus or FAST in community settings. People with moderate alcohol dependence can be effectively and safely detoxified in community/home/outpatient settings. However, people with severe alcohol dependence will require care in an inpatient setting with close monitoring by specialists. Outpatient and
home detoxification settings are clinically effective and less costly than inpatient settings.
Benzodiazepines are the best choice of drugs and chlordiazepoxide is preferred for treating uncomplicated detoxification due to its reduced potential for dependency.
High dose parenteral thiamine is an effective treatment for Wernicke’s encephalopathy.
Vitamin supplements should be prescribed where nutritional deficiencies are likely.
